Page 10 of Forever Mine

"At school. You can't summon us in the middle of the day and expect her to show up, Nana. They frown on the teachers just leaving their classes to fend for themselves," I say dryly. Nana's brow furrows.

"Oh. I didn't realize it was a weekday."

"What's going on, Nana? You're a tad more spastic than normal."

"The love I feel from you, child. It's really spectacular."

"You know what I mean. You're not yourself. You got a bomb to drop on me?" I joke, but the smile drops from my face when Nana's face pales. "Holy shit. Nana."

"Bambino."

"Rip the band-aid off, Nana. What is it? DidLa Famigliacontact you? Did this place raise its rates? Are you dying? What?"

"No, no, and not exactly."

"You're not dying …" I trail off as I stare at her. She gives me a sad smile.

"I have cancer, bambino."

"What?" I whisper.

"I found a lump six weeks ago in my breast. They did a mammogram and then a biopsy. It has spread, bambino. I have to do chemotherapy and radiation, but the doctors aren't optimistic. I'm sorry,bambino," my grandmother says softly.

I stare at her.

This can't be happening.

She's all that I have. My only family.

"Nana," I whisper brokenly, "Nana, I can't lose you."

"Monica.Dolce bambino. I don't want to leave you, but the money …"

"What about money?"

"Medicare only covers so much, child. We're already barely making ends meet. I can't ask for you to do more. You already do so much," Nana says as she wipes her tears away.

"I would do anything for you, Nana! You gave away so much for me years ago. Don't you even think about giving up. I will figure this out. I'm not letting you die, do you hear me?"

"Monica, you don't need to shout. I'm old, but I'm not deaf," my grandmother hisses. I didn't realize I had started to raise my voice.

"Schedule the chemo. What do you need from me? I'll get it all figured out."

Nana sighs.

"If you sell a kidney or become a hooker, I'm calling your father," she mutters.

"No, you won't."

"I might have to. If I think you're doing something illegal to get money for my medical expenses, I'll do what I have to do. I won't have you screwing up the rest of your life to try and save a few more years of mine, Monica Rose," my grandmother threatens.

"I won't do anything illegal. I promise," I tell Nana.

She nods as she accepts my promise.

My fingers were crossed behind my back.

I'll do anything to save my grandmother.

---