Page 47 of The Scientist
I chuckled lightly. “What about the confession you just made?”
“Coerced. No jury would convict. Especially not after seeing how pitiful I look after my first round of chemo.”
“You’d play the cancer card?”
She shrugged. “Whatever it takes.”
I walked her inside, and the fatigue was now plainly evident on her face. “Go rest, I’ll have something for you to eat when you wake up. I’m thinking spaghetti as a form of retribution.” I heard her laugh softly as she headed to the bedroom.
I tidied up the house and made a few meals for her that were easy to reheat so she didn’t have to cook. She was still sleeping when I was finished, so I went and sat with her while she slept.
When she finally woke a few hours later, I closed the book I was reading and sat on the side of the bed to look her over.
“You’re getting dangerously close to Forrest-Gump-level obsessed with your mom,” she said, yawning.
“But you’re my best good friend,” I said, trying out my best Gump impression and patting her arm.
“Hadley, while I appreciate your concern, they told us it would be normal for me to feel tired afterward. You can’t stay and watch me sleep after every single treatment. Besides, you need to get going, you have classes in the morning.”
I could tell by the look on her face that she was resolute, so I didn’t argue. “Okay, I have some food in the refrigerator for you if you get hungry.”
“Thank you. I’ll be fine.”
I kissed her on the cheek. “I’ll call you later to check on you.”
I got in my car, and the tears started to fall before I made it out the driveway. My mom was always so vibrant and stoic. It was hard for me to see her suffering. I allowed myself a few more minutes of sadness before I resolved to do better. I vowed to never let her see me this way. I would be a source of strength for her as she had always been for me.
Chapter 12
Iwas pretty sure the daylilies and snapdragons sprouting from my garden weren’t there when I left for work this morning. I smiled to myself, thinking I would have to make something really special to thank Professor Dunbar for this, when I heard, “Psssst, Hadley!” coming from behind me.
It was Stuart, running up the sidewalk from his front porch. “Hadley!” he called out, still trying to whisper.
“Why are we whispering?” I asked, matching his tone when he reached me.
“I was trying to catch you without the guys hearing me.”
“What guys?” I asked, looking around.
“Lex and Merrick. They’re inside right now. We’re all about to have dinner, and I need you to come over.”
“Why?” I asked, turning my key in the door as he grabbed a couple of the grocery bags I was carrying and helped me inside with them.
“Because I can’t sit through another dinner with that guy, and you’ll be the perfect distraction.”
“Gee, thanks,” I said. “What’s wrong with him?”
“He’s a grade-A asshole, but as usual, Lex doesn’t see it.”
“What do you mean?”
“The guy sort of looked out for Lex when he first moved here from Russia and stopped the other kids from picking on him. So, I guess he feels like he still owes him loyalty or something. But I’m telling you, he’s a prick.”
“Is there any chance you’re wrong about him?” I asked, wanting to give him the benefit of the doubt.
“I don’t think so. He keeps calling me Stuey and tousling my hair like I’m a member of the Rugrats.”
I chuckled. “Maybe you should give him a chance. He’s obviously important to Lex.”