Lainee closed the book and pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders. She leaned her head back against the bay window and watched the softly falling rain for a few minutes. “Oh to be like the heroes in storybooks. Fearless.”
Lainee was a successful fashion consultant in New York. She lived in a nice apartment just down the hall from her best friend Kylie. She’d often visit her parents, who lived in the beautiful countryside about 2 hours away from the city. Her friends always said her life was perfect. She thought of all the things she did have. A good job, great friends, amazing family, more than she’d ever dreamed of having. “Something’s missing…”
“Excuse me?”
Lainee opened her eyes to find Kylie sprawled out on her living room couch. “When did you get here?”
“A few minutes ago. Figured you were sleeping. What’s missing or what do you mean?”
“I don’t know. I can’t really put my finger on anything specific that’s missing. It’s just a certain feeling that I can’t shake.”
“You’re weird. I can’t possibly imagine what’s missing from your life, except maybe that cute businessman that buys way more suits than he possibly needs, just so he can talk to his favorite stylist?” Kylie’s eyes twinkled as she sat up.
“Oh, give it a rest. It’s my job. Nothing else. Even where he’s concerned. Besides, everyone needs someone to talk to every now and then that they don’t see every day.”
“Alright, alright. Ok. Talk to me. What more would you like to have in your life?”
“Just something that’ll spice up my life a little. Maybe a promotion at work. Hey, I could start my own fashion line!”
“I knew it. You’re turning into a workaholic.” Kylie rolled her eyes dramatically.
“I am not.” She picked up a nearby pillow and aimed for Kylie’s head.
Over the next few days Lainee drew sketches of a fall line she’d been thinking of. It was possible nothing would become of it, but she had to try. She even took her sketchbook to work, in case a brilliant idea would pop up.
Kylie dropped by every day to see how everything was going. “Hey! I see you’re still busy drawing. How’s that working out for you?”
“Hey! It’s pretty good. I have a few sketches all done.” Lainee looked up and smiled and it was then that Kylie noticed it. Lainee looked exhausted.
“Have you been overworking yourself with this project?”
“No, why?” Lainee stood up and stopped to support herself on the chair.
“That’s why. You’re tired, Lainee. Put the book away and get some rest. It’ll be there when you wake up.”
“I’m fine, really. I get 8 hours of sleep almost every night. I just stood up too fast.”
“Are you sure? You don’t look fine. Have you been eating at all?”
“Of course! You know how I love food. My schedule is just like always and I only sketch in my free time.”
Kylie scratched her head. “Ok, well I’ll come by tomorrow again, but if you don’t look any better, I’ll make an appointment with Dr. Rogers.”
“You worry too much.” Lainee sat back down. “Thank you.”
“It’s what I’m here for.”
The next day Kylie came by as usual. “Hey, I brought some takeout from that Italian place across the street.” No response. “Lainee?” She found her snoring on the bay window. Even though Lainee was asleep, Kylie could see she was still as tired, if not more, as yesterday. A few minutes later she’d made an appointment with Dr. Rogers for the next day. She knew it would be hard to get Lainee to go.
“Kylie…I do not want to go!”
“It’s just a checkup. He’ll probably just give you something to help you sleep better or something.”
“I sleep just fine.”
“Then you should have nothing to worry about!” Kylie smiled as Lainee glared at her.
“Whatever. Let’s just get this over with.” Lainee hated the idea of going to the hospital. “You know I hate needles. Plus, it always smells weird. Oh well, I guess it won’t take very long since I’m the picture of health.”
A few minutes later Lainee was sitting across the table from Dr. Rogers. She noticed the certificates on the wall and her mind was put to ease a little. She explained how she’d had bouts with fatigue and some dizziness.
“I see. We’re going to draw some blood for the usual tests and check your vitals for now.” Dr. Rogers left the room and came back with that dreadful needle.
“You know what, I feel just fine. How about we go home?” Lainee stood up and made for the door. Kylie laid a firm hand on Lainee’s arm and she reluctantly sat back down.
Half an hour later Lainee was lying on the couch staring up at the ceiling, still lightheaded from seeing her blood flow into the vial. She was waiting for the call that would tell her everything was fine and she could go bout her life as usual.
Lainee stood at the window and watched the thunderstorm roll in. Usually she loved watching the lightning, but today it felt like a sign of impending doom.
The phone jolted her out of her daze. “Lainee, I have the results back.” This didn’t sound like a good news voice. She grabbed the phone tighter and almost crawled into it to hear better. “We’ll need to do more tests to be sure, but it seems you have acute lymphoblastic leukemia.”
Lainee swallowed hard. “What does this mean?” Tears flooded her eyes and she tried to choke them back.
“We need you to come in for more tests tomorrow. We have called in a specialist on ALL to explain the procedures necessary to treat it.” There was a moment of silence. “I’m so sorry!”
Lainee dropped the phone and buried her head in her hands. Yesterday she had thought she was the picture of health. Today, terminally ill. This was not the type of change she had wanted in her life. Her plans for the future had been shattered with one phone call.
Thunder crashed in every direction and raindrops battered against the apartment window, almost as big as the tears rolling down Lainee’s cheeks. The storm outside was almost as rough as the storm inside. “I still can’t believe you passed out at the sighting blood.” Kylie laughed as she closed the door. She saw the broken phone on the floor and started to tremble. “What is it?”
The word, heavy as an elephant, barely made it out of Lainee aloud. “Cancer.”