Page 8 of Captiva Book Club

“What? I thought we’d all drive to the Miramar Mall on Corkscrew. There are plenty of great stores there. I don’t think we’ll find what we want here on the island, Mom. Besides, we can always check the shops on Periwinkle on our way back.”

“I know, pull in anyway.”

“Are you feeling all right?” Chelsea asked.

Sarah drove her car into the next parking lot and parked the car in front of a closed seafood restaurant.

“I’m sorry to do this now, but I won’t be able to focus on anything else, if I don’t.”

“Mom, you’re scaring me. What is it?”

Maggie sighed. “I found another lump. It’s under my right armpit, and I’ve already left a message for my doctor to call me when he can.”

No one said anything for several seconds, and Maggie turned her wedding ring around several times, unable to look at either of them. Finally, Chelsea broke the silence. “It might be nothing, Maggie. Let’s not assume the worst.”

Sarah leaned over and hugged her. “Whatever it is, we’ll get it out just like we did the first time. It’s good you found it. Don’t worry, Mom, everything is going to be all right.”

Maggie was stunned. In the blink of an eye, her daughter had taken the role of mother while she felt as vulnerable as a child.

She looked at Sarah with new eyes and felt so much love for her daughter.

Maggie pushed a strand of Sarah’s hair off her face and behind her ear and marveled at how special she was.

“You’re beautiful, do you know that? When did you get to be so beautiful?”

Sarah smiled.

“I have too many freckles, and I think that’s your fault.”

Maggie laughed at that, and shortly after, Chelsea and Sarah joined in. Before long, the three women were laughing so hard they were crying.

Maggie took a tissue from her purse and wiped her eyes.

“I didn’t want to say anything until after Christmas, but Paolo insisted.”

“And he was right to do so,” Chelsea added. “You shouldn’t go through this without the support of your family and friends.”

Maggie nodded. “I have to admit, I feel a little better for having told you. I know it’s going to be hard if it turns out to be cancer. I have moments when I feel I can’t go through this again. I might as well warn you that if that happens again, and I’m sure it will, I’m going to lean on you all for support and encouragement to keep fighting.”

“When do you think the doctor will call back?” Sarah asked.

Maggie shook her head. “I have no idea. The worst part is that it’s right before Christmas. We’ve got so much going on, I can’t afford to spend time at the hospital.”

“Mom, forget about that. You can’t afford not to get to the doctor. This is just one Christmas, there will be plenty more to look forward to. We’ll be right beside you, Mom, don’t worry.

Maggie smiled and tapped Sarah’s hand. “I know you will. Now that I got that off my chest, how about we go spend some money?”

“Sounds like a good idea to me,” Chelsea added as she squeezed Maggie’s shoulder. “Let’s go spoil those grandkids of yours.”

CHAPTER 3

Becca Wheeler squeezed her husband Christopher’s hand as they walked into the doctor’s office. At a little over five months pregnant, they were excited to find out the sex of their baby.

From the start they agreed to wait until the delivery to find out the baby’s sex. However, as the weeks passed, their anticipation and curiosity got the better of them.

“This is it,” Christopher said. “Are you as excited as I am?”

Becca laughed and then kissed his cheek.

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