Chapter 7 Cancer
My work supervisor called me into his office with urgent news and a grim look on his face.
“Uh, there is an important phone call for you.”
I picked up the phone and said. “Hello.”
“Joe?” It was Joyce.
“Yeah, it’s me.”
“Are you sitting down?”
No.”
Well, maybe you should.”
“Just tell me what it is.”
“Your mother has been diagnosed with leukemia.”
“O.K.” I was kind of shocked.
“I am so sorry.”
“Alright.”
“Can you come see her?”
“Yes. Where do I go?”
She told me the name of the hospital and where to go. I hung up the phone and told my supervisor that I needed to go. I started wondering about how serious this disease was. Would she die? How long did she have to live? I didn’t know anything about leukemia.
I got to the hospital as fast as I could. When I got there, my mother was lying in the bed and my sister was sitting in a chair.
“Hey, mom. How are you doing?” I said,
“I’m O.K.”
“O.K. Uhm, what did the doctors say?”
“They say I have leukemia, but I’ll be alright.”
“O.K. Well, that’s good.”
My sister stepped in and said “It’s acute. That is the most aggressive type.”
“Oh, I’m sorry.” I said.
“It’s O.K.” my mother said. She kind of hated the attention she was receiving.
There was silence for a few seconds.
“Have you been working?” my mother asked.
Just then, my stepfather, Robert, walked through the door. He kind of ignored me and walked over to my mother. “I bought you some new slippers from the gift shop. “ he said.
“O.K.” she said.
There was silence for a few more seconds. Then she told us “Why don’t you guys go get something to eat? I will be alright and you guys have been here all day.”
“Well, there is a TGI Fridays close by. Are you sure that you will be alright?” my sister said.
“Yeah, I’ll be alright. I’ll just watch TV” my mother said.
“Do you want anything while we are out?” my step father asked.
“No, I’m fine.” My mother said and then she looked at me and said “Go with them, Joe.” I couldn’t go. I didn’t have any money for an expensive place like that.
“I’m not really hungry.” I said
“Are you working?” my mother asked.
“Yeah, I’m working on the docks.”
“What two days a week.” My step father said.
“I got another job, too.” I said.
“Doing what?” my mother asked
“Being a clerk…..in a place that sells books…and magazines..and toys….it’s a warehouse that sells this stuff” I said
“What is the name of the place?” my mother asked
“Kilo Three Inc.” I said