Page 72 of Loving Lizzy

Barb shook her head as she contemplated her friend. “I’m not sure she told them of her illness for fear they might let her go. She didn’t make it to the support group meeting on Tuesday. Usually, I invite her for a cup of coffee, or we sit and chat after meetings. She puts on a brave face, but she’s scared. She’s got two little ones to support, and I don’t think her mom is up to the job. I can’t say I blame her. She’s close to my age and it’s tough getting old. Trying to care for your own daughter plus the grandkids, I can’t imagine how she does it.”

Lizzy debated on confessing to Barb about what they planned and decided not to say a word. After all she would soon become a recipient of her friend’s goodwill too and she didn’t want her to feel like a charity case. She knew Barb saw a younger version of herself in Diana, which meant she witnessed the stubbornness and pride in her as well.

“I don’t know what you and your wonderful specimen of a man have plotting, but I’ll help in any way I can. No one deserves to go through this alone. She’s young with kids and an entire future ahead of her. Life’s difficult enough as a single mom, she doesn’t need to worry about this.”

Lizzy nodded.

When her treatment finished, she waited while the nurse took care of business and picked up her bags. She left Samantha’s care package on Diana’s table and motioned to Barb they’d wait outside for her.

As soon as the glass doors opened, she flew into Michael’s arms. He held her close and rubbed her back in a soothing gesture.

“Did she fill out the form? Victoria texted twice already asking if you convinced her to fill it out.” Michael moved to the chairs facing the double glass door and sat Lizzy down before taking a seat beside her. As patients walked in and out of the room, she passed out the remaining goodies from Bryanna and Samantha.

“I’m afraid the situation turned worse Michael. She lost her job. Her mom fell sick, and she paid a neighbor to watch the baby. I gave her the food you packed, and she gobbled it down as if she’s gone without food. She says she didn’t eat this morning. Somehow, I don’t believe it’s the first meal she’s skipped. Now, without a job, will she continue chemo? She’ll have to apply for aid, and it can take a month or more for it to kick in.”

“Don’t worry, sweetheart, we’ll get her sorted out as soon as we see what she listed on the form. The team is on standby, and we can get her the stuff as soon as this evening. I’m concerned the stress and lack of proper nutrition might negatively affect her health.” Michael frowned as he thought about her friend’s situation.

“I wish we could pack her up and bring her to Serenity. She and Barb need a bit of tender loving care from the Serenity crew. It makes me appreciate them even more. It’s not only how they’ve cared for us. Edie made me the prayer shawl and told me maybe I’m on this journey for a reason. I loved you when we first married, and the life we made together. I regret I didn’t communicate how I felt and made decisions for you rather letting you decide what’s best for yourself. Cancer taught me you’ll stay beside me even when I’m not perfect.”

Michael’s eyes turned watery as she gently kissed his lips and whispered, “I’ll never doubt your love for me again.”

CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT

They drove Barb to her apartment and Michael carried for her the several containers of individual meals that the women had prepared. Lizzy placed them in her freezer and left some in her refrigerator. Completely surprised by the generous gift, Barb hugged them both and thanked them repeatedly. Lizzy scanned the rooms taking note of things the older woman might need.

As they drove to Serenity, Michael brought her hand to his mouth and placed a gentle kiss on her knuckles. “I’m proud of you, Lizzy Bee. Thank you for fighting for our future and for believing in me.”

She beamed up at him. Cancer scared her to her core. Yet sitting next to Michael, his strength gave her the courage to fight for the life she wanted to spend with him. She hoped one day they might fill their home with adopted kids and extend their family. She saw a future she refused to let herself dream of before. For once, she didn’t try to control every facet of her life. Thankful for the friends who pulled together and surrounded them, she felt invincible. Even if the worst occurred, she committed herself to living every moment with the man she loved and their adopted family of friends.

Michael opened the door and she made her way to the bathroom while he fixed her a light meal. She sat in the recliner and pulled out the form Diana filled out and left it on the coffee table. The group of women agreed to arrive in ten minutes. Once they ascertained Diana’s most immediate needs, and devised a plan, the team agreed to act as delivery men and take it to her home. Kassie remembered to ask for her address and other information on the form.

“They’ll arrive any minute. I know you’re excited, but your health remains my primary focus. As soon as you finish plotting, I’m asking you to rest,” he reminded her.

“I promise, as soon as we finish,” she assured him.

The women showed up in small groups. Kassie carried a clipboard with multiple pages attached with each woman’s name assigned to a single form.

Lizzy ripped the envelope open and scanned the list. “She checked off diapers, wipes, formula, baby cereal for Faith. The food categories are marked with a ton of processed foods. Probably because of the ease with which they can be prepared. She checked off clothes for both kids and wrote spring and summer clothing next to it. Blankets, bedding, and—” Lizzy stopped short. She glanced up to face the women. “They shut off the heat as of two days ago. There’s still a chill in the air,” she expressed her dismay.

“Keep reading, we’ll figure out the entirety of the situation and make the plan.” Kassie ordered as she made notes on her clipboard.

“She’s requesting a secondhand couch under notes. From the sounds of it, she gave her mom her bedroom and she sleeps in the living room. Diana asked for socks and a couple of sweaters for her mom. There’s nothing here for herself,” she continued.

Kassie pulled out her computer. “Samantha and Catherine, can you handle shopping for baby clothes, I’ll place an order at the big box store for diapers, formula, and wipes. We’ll still need a grocery store run for the other items listed and I want to add fresh fruit and vegetables to the list. Do we still have frozen meals at Edie’s?”

“Yes, child, I made extra in anticipation of helping this poor girl,” Edie answered.

Bryanna added, “I prepackaged bread dough and froze it along with a container filled with cookies, croissants, and banana bread. Nothing shows my brand labels.”

“I made packages of soap for the kids in fun shapes, plus shampoo, and two big boxes for Diana and Barb. One contains peppermint and the other lavender. In a separate basket, I added detergent and candles. It’s packaged in plain bags to keep her from getting suspicious,” Samantha chimed in.

“Call the men. Ivan and I will handle the couch after I check out the living conditions. Kassie, I’m assuming you’ll call and get the heat reinstated. Did we cover everything?” Victoria asked as she went to grab her jacket.

She laid the paper down on her tray. “She asked if we know where she can get a job. I don’t know how she’s continued as it is.”

“We’ll ensure she won’t need a job until she’s on her feet. We’ll talk to the landlord and pay her rent. He’ll tell her he suddenly received a subsidy from the city, and he can now include the utilities with the rent payment,” Victoria told them as she grabbed her purse and tapped on her phone. A few minutes later, Ivan arrived to pick her up.

“How will she convince the landlord to tell Diana her rent now covers utilities?” Catherine asked as she happily accepted the sliced apples and peanut butter from Samantha.

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