Page 131 of The Scientist
Dr. Gremillion spoke with us about remaining cautious about my mom’s health, because the chemo had taken such a toll on her immune system, and that it might be a while before she was able to interact normally with the outside world. She still looked so fragile, but I knew every day she would only get stronger now that she knew she was cancer free.
We were giddy on the car ride home, laughing together and making plans for the future that we’d been hesitant to make when it felt like her condition was balancing on the edge of a knife.
“I think I’d like to go to Greece first,” she said, pulling off her hot pink wig and tossing it in the back seat. “Find a topless beach to take the girls out and dip my toes in the Aegean.”
I laughed. “Not sure Greece needs to see that much of you.”
“You think Lex would want to come to Greece with us?” she asked.
“Maybe,” I said. “But he’s definitely not going to that topless beach with you.”
“Carl has already volunteered.”
“Gross,” I said, but couldn’t manage to do anything but smile.
She became serious all of a sudden.“Hadley, how can I ever thank him?”
“Lex?” I asked even though I knew who she meant.
“This is all because of him. I’m alive because of him.”
I let the steady stream of tears fall down my face at her words. I’d thanked him so many times already, but he never wanted to hear it. He would always change the subject, seeming uncomfortable with my gratitude. Hearing my mom say those words, however… it was almost too overwhelming to think about just how big a role he’d played in my happiness.
I sniffled. “I don’t think he wants you to, Mom.”
She nodded but I could tell by the look on her face that she was still planning on telling him. She wouldn’t be able to live with herself without saying it.
“He’s going to be so happy to hear you’re in remission.” I dabbed at my eyes. “Even if he doesn’t want any of the credit.”
She smiled. “You really found a good one.”
I nodded fervently. “I did.”
She looked over at me, her smile widening. “We’re staying in California, aren’t we?”
I looked back at her for a few moments before my face split into a huge grin.
???
After I dropped my mom off at her house, I immediately called Lex.
“Hey,” he answered. “What did Dr. Gremillion say?”
“Do you have a second?” I asked. He’d been invited to do a pretty famous podcast that discussed different topics in the scientific community, and he was their special guest for the day, which meant I wasn’t seeing him until tonight. But I couldn’t wait that long to tell him the news.
“Yeah, we haven’t started yet.”
“How do you feel about Greece?” I asked.
“Greece?” he asked. “What about it?”
“It’s the first place my mom wants to go now that she’s cancer-free.”
I could hear him exhaling roughly before he said, “Baby, that’s amazing.” His voice was thick with emotion.
“I know,” I said, becoming emotional all over again. “And I know you don’t want to hear it, but my mom insisted that I thank you again. She’s alive because of you, Lex. We owe youeverything, and it still wouldn’t be enough for what you’ve done for us.”
“You don’t owe me anything,” he said quietly. “And it’s got nothing to do with me. Your mom did this. She fought this fight, not me.”