Chapter 17
Leon
I’ve been sitting out in this waiting room for almost an hour. Now, I’ve never accompanied a woman to visit the lady doctor, however an eerie feeling washes over me. I can’t say why, though I do notice how many women have come and gone in the same time Bethany has been inside with her doctor.
The door that I presumably believe leads back to the exam rooms comes open, and with it so does she. Instantly, I can see something is horribly wrong. It’s written across her face in the way her eyes seem to be nothing more than lifeless pebbles. Her hands are clasped together as if she’s silently praying, and more than that, I can see the sadness oozing out of her like blood does to an open wound. A normally radiant, vibrant woman whose personality beams from her like a ray of light suddenly has a dark cloud hanging over her. Only, I don’t know why.
Immediately I wonder if she was pregnant. Not with my child, but her monster of a husband. They’re still not divorced, but I’m sure it’ll happen soon. Regardless, it needs to happen. Being tied to that man slowly suffocates her. She tries her best to hide it every single day, but I can see past it.
I imagine if she were pregnant, she’d be quite a few weeks along. With the way she looks— saddened beyond belief— I assume she has lost the child.
I rise from my seat and speak to her in a low tone as she gets closer to me. “What’s wrong, Bethany?” The only thing I want to do right now is help her, however I can’t do that if she doesn’t tell me what’s the matter.
“I . . .” She mumbles out, looking towards the door. “I need to get out of here.” Before I can reply, she’s walking toward the entrance to her doctor’s office and is on the other side of the door. If anything, her behavior just confirms how something horrible has happened.
I’m quick to follow her and walk out onto the street where she’s already under the atrium that leads to another part of the hospital. “Bethany!” I call out after her, but she still continues to walk onward. At this point I’ve gone from walking to running up next to her. I take her forearm in my hand and cause her to stop. I just need her to tell me what’s going on, to use her words. Worry is flooding through my entire body, making everything in the world seem irrelevant to me except for her.
“I – I’m so sorry. I . . .” She mutters, voice cracking through her words. She can’t even bother to look at me. It’s evident she’s stricken with something. Hopefully I’ll find out what it is fairly soon.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. Do you want a cup of coffee? We can go sit and talk for a while if you’d like,” I suggest, thinking that it might do her some good to sit down and process.
A nod is all I get in return. I glance up and see a café a few floors up that overlooks the city, take her hand in mine, and enter through another doorway of the hospital. The entire time her hand is in mine I can feel how my nerves are causing me to sweat. While I’m normally the type of man who can keep his composure, I’m worried sick about her. Only, I’m trying to not make her aware of it. If I have to be the strong one right now, I sure as hell will be. I’ll do anything for this woman, from being her shoulder to cry on to snapping someone’s neck for fucking with her.
It takes us a few minutes to get to the correct floor, but once we’re there, the two of us go in and order two coffees. I keep her hand firmly in mine, rubbing her palm as a way to soothe her until we can talk about her appointment.
I get an Americano while Bethany opts for a French vanilla latte. The inside of the café is filled with countless patrons, although the rooftop doesn’t have anyone. It looks like the perfect location to be able to speak to her without anyone eavesdropping. “Let’s go outside,” I say, leading her towards the glass doors.
We go outside and head towards the balcony, sitting our drinks on the thick concrete adorned with greenery.
“I’m s-sorry. I think I’m in shock.” Her words come out in barely a whisper as her hand shakes in mine.
“It’s alright. Take the time you need,” I encourage her. Pulling her into my arms, I rub her back gently before she pulls away. Before she says anything, she picks up her latte and takes a sip.
“I discovered something I wasn’t expecting today. Honestly, I don’t think I ever anticipated this.”
Is she pregnant? Does she not want children and maybe this is why she’s having the reaction that she is?
“Go on,” I gently urge, taking a sip of my own coffee while I wait.
“Leon, I have cancer.” I blink a few times at the bluntness of what she’s just said. This seems impossible, like a figment of my imagination as I process it. Surely, someone must be mistaken. There’s no way that this woman who is young, healthy, and active could have cancer.
“Come again?” I ask, needing elaboration. I expected her to be pregnant, not this.
“I have cervical cancer. They went over various treatments with me and all of that, but I’m lost. I . . . I feel like this is a dream.”
She must mean a nightmare. That must be what she really means. In this moment I feel like a hot iron has been shoved into my heart. How am I supposed to react at finding out the woman I’m . . . well, I don’t know what we’re doing . . . has a crippling disease?
Actually, I know what we are. We’re dating. We’ve connected on numerous levels and while we’ve only known one another a very short time, I don’t want to lose her.
“Ion has connections with good doctors in New York. I’m going to make a few calls and find the best of the best for you,” I determinedly tell her, pulling my phone from the pocket of my trousers.
“Whoa. Aren’t you going to ask me?” She doesn’t sound aggravated, but shocked I wouldn’t go to her.
“I know I’m going to sound crass right now, but no. I’ve waited a hell of a long time for you Bethany, and I refuse to allow cancer to take you from me. I’m making this call, and I’m going to save our future in doing it.”