Fourth Down: Second Quarter - 10. Chapter 10

The day had shifted to twilight just as Vicky drove into my driveway. We were home.

“You ok, over there?” Vicky asked from the driver's seat.

“I’m fine, just tired.” I offered.

I had just stepped out of the car when I was grabbed around the middle into the embrace of my fourteen year old son’s arms.

“Mommy!” Was all he said as he wept while clinging on to me.

I knew it was going to be hard having to break the news to everyone, but I never knew just how heartbreaking it would be. Even though we were still in contact those few days I was in the hospital, I had decided that I would tell everyone about my illness once we got home. Over the phone just felt too... impersonal.

“Hey Baby Boy,” I smiled a watery smile towards my dear son in my arms, “Let’s go inside so I can sit down.”

Ian then escorted me into our home and into the living room, as Vicky went across the road to gather our friends.

After Ian had helped into one of the recliners, he disappeared into the kitchen to make me a cup of tea.

“Put on a pot, we are going to have guests soon!” I informed him.

No sooner had I told him, Ruth was kissing me on my forehead, while looking worriedly at me as Hunter, Dale, and the rest of our friends arrived, taking up seats in my living room.

“So what did he say? Hunter asked, from my left. Taking that hand in his as he too looked worriedly at me. It was at this moment that little Ethan decided the best place to sit was on my lap, snuggling into me as my free arm wrapped around his tiny waist pulling him into me and kissing his forehead.

“I’ll be back in just a sec,” Vicky said to me from the base of the stairs. “I am just going to let this little one stretch her legs. Mia, Ethan, come say “Hi” to Felicia.” She smiled. Taking the two littlest ones with her.

Soon after Ian was pouring tea for everyone, as they waited patiently allowing me to settle and gather my nerves for what I had to say. I took several sips of tea, trying to delay relaying the news to my family.

“Mom? What did the doctor say?” Ruth asked after a while, reiterating what Hunter had asked moments earlier.

“He,” I started, then took another sip. “He confirmed it was cancer.”

“But you’re going to be alright, right?” Ian asked, his voice quivering with emotion, his eyes wet with unshed tears.

A tear escaped my own eye and ran down my cheek as I shook my head. “I’m sorry honey, but no.”

Ian then collapses in front of me as he buries his head in my lap sobbing. Ruth, who had not left my side, bends over so she can embrace me. My friends all offer me comfort before leaving me alone with my kids. Or so I thought, Hunter and the gang soon walked back into my house, their arms laden with food, which they must have prepared earlier, and proceeded to carry them through to the dining room.

“Well, we are not going to leave your side,” Hunter tells me with tears in his eyes, as he and my kids guide me to the table with Dale pulling out a chair for me.

I wasn’t exactly feeling all that hungry when we got home, but the smell of Hunter’s cooking somehow reinvigorated my appetite, it all looked so good. Shortly after I was seated, Vicky came into the dining room with Mia and Ethan, who were gushing over our newest member. I still wondered how Mr Bubbles would take to his new sister.

“Ian, what’s wrong?” Ethan asked my son after noticing his tear stained face.

“My Mom’s dying,” He quietly informed the small child. Who just looked at my son as he broke down in tears again.

Ethan then just climbed into my son’s lap and hugged him. Ian just wrapped his arms around the small boy and quietly sobbed into his shoulder.

Seeing my boy in pain just broke my heart, both Ruth and I stood from our places at the table and proceeded to just hold and comfort Ian. The rest of the extended family did the same, We just stood there, holding each other in our grief as the food cooled on the table.

That night after everyone had gone home for the evening, all with promises to check in on me in the morning, we were getting ready for bed. With my kids opting to sleep with me that night. They both fell in love with our newest addition who was just eating up all the attention everyone was giving her. We tried to introduce Mr Bubbles to her, but he instantly did not like her. Raising his heckles and hissing at her. Felicia just ignored him, with all her attention focused on her new humans. I don’t think Mr Bubbles liked being ignored as he tried to escalate things by trying to swat at her. I was beginning to wonder if they needed more time. But just as he was about to strike her a second time, Felicia darted out of his range, then pounced on top of him. Pinning him beneath her.

Oh fuck, they are gonna have a fight.

But before I could pull them apart, I noticed that Felicia had started to groom her grumpy brother, who just took it with the most disgruntled look on his little face. I just HAD to take a picture because it was rather adorable. As soon as she released him, Mr Bubble darted under my dresser, while Felicia just curled up and lay her head down. We were just settling down when Mr Bubbles decided to come out of his little hidey hole. He stopped immediately when he saw that Felicia was still on the bed. Instead of getting agro again, he cautiously crept up to her, keeping his body low to bed. As soon as he got close to her, he started sniffing both her and the surrounds, then ever so cautiously snuggled next her for the night. And just like our little kitties, we too called it a night, with Ruth hitting the lights, then we all just snuggled with me in the middle, and slept.

***

Hunter had accompanied me to the hospital a few days later, just so I could get acquainted with the nurses who would be treating me on my various visits. They wanted me coming in the following week to start treatment, just so they could set things up for me.

“Everythings gonna work out, just you watch.” Hunter tried encouraging me.

“Thank Hunter, but I basically have a death sentence. And this treatment is just going to make me feel worse. But hey, at least I get to live longer.” I sighed.

Before he could respond, our friends who worked at the hospital joined us in the hospital's little coffee shop.

“Hey, Beautiful,” Evan greeted, kissing me on the forehead. “How are you feeling?”

“Ok I guess. Numb.” I offer.

“That is understandable,” He said, taking a seat next to his boyfriend Madox.

“When are you starting your treatment?” Bruce asked, from the other side of me.

“Next week Friday,” I informed.

“Well then we should think of something to try and take your mind off of things.” He suggested.

“Well we have yet to take Ethan camping after his last hospital visit,” Hunter offered.

“Some fresh air could do you some good. In fact it could do us all some good.” Dale stated after a moment's contemplation.

“Camping?” I ask, having not really thought of it. “That actually sounds like fun.” I smile.

“Well then that settles it, family camping trip this weekend.” Hunter exclaimed excitedly. “I’ll message Dale quickly,” He said, taking out his phone, “ To inform him we’re having a family meeting tonight at ours so we can go over any of the details, and see what the kids think.

After leaving the hospital that morning, Hunter and I went shopping for the food stuffs we required for a barbeque, then went straight to his place to prepare for the evening.

Upon hearing the plans for the weekend, the kids were beyond excited. Even Ruth showed signs of excitement, even though she did her best to hide it.

“Can Clyde come with?” Ian asked, hopeful his best friend could join us.

“I don’t see why not,” I smiled at him, “I’ll call his father tonight and ask him.”

“Yes!” My son exclaimed as he lifted a happily squealing Ethan onto his shoulders and ran outside with Mia giving chase of the two boys.

Sheriff Barker later agreed to let his son join us, he even offered to come over while we were away so that the cats could be both fed and watered while we were away.

Thank you for reading chapter 10. I hope you're all enjoying the journey so far.