Shadow waited a minute before asking again, “How’s Lizzy?”
Michael stared at the plate of food and pushed it aside. “I’ve cared for sick kids and as a doctor I’ve comforted parents going through chemo. This is my wife. I feel so damn helpless,” his voice cracked. The men sat quietly at the table waiting for him to gain control over his emotions.
Chase leaned forward on the table. “What do you need?”
Michael hesitated. What did he need? He wanted Lizzy’s suffering to stop. He hated every minute of watching her struggle to make it through the day, he detested the fear in her eyes, how she refused to discuss the future, and knowing she felt she wasn’t enough for him. He wondered how he missed it when they first married. From the moment he met her, he became enamored by her intelligence, her warm green eyes, and how she didn’t care what he did for a living if he enjoyed it. He refused to count how many dates he went on with women who attempted to attach themselves to a doctor. The humanitarian mission came up at the last minute and he expressed an interest in doing one before he settled into the practice. Lizzy encouraged him to go on the mission when he seemed hesitant at leaving his new bride at home for months.
“I don’t know,” he answered honestly. “Lizzy told me she felt we lived independent lives when we first married. God, I’ve loved her from the first moment I met her. When I remember all those hours we spent apart and then I left, I realize she’s right. Last night she begged me to call Kassie when she discovered her hair falling out. I broke down the bathroom door to find her lying on the floor.” Michael swiped his hand over his face. “The devastation in her eyes told me she already had given up. I think I got through to her that I planned to stay by her side. I wish I could do something, to prove to her I’m with her in this fight. She has me and this…family.”
“You can shave your head,” Taco suggested. “I’ve heard of family members doing it when someone they love goes through chemo.”
Michael’s chin went up. “It’s not a bad idea, thanks, Taco.”
Leo glanced around the table. “We got everything here in the locker room.”
Michael shoved away from the table, not hesitating as he made his way through the gym and into the designated area. The team followed. Saint went to his locker and pulled out a bag. He rummaged around and pulled out an electric trimmer and handed it to Michael.
He nodded his head in thanks and stood in front of one of the sinks lined against the wall. He clicked the device on, and watched in the mirror as he made the first cut.
Chase came up to stand behind him and cleaned up the back of his head. Chase turned off the trimmer and helped him clean up the sink and floor. Michael swept the hair into a dustpan and heard the device click on and stood with his mouth open as Chase proceeded to shave the top half of his head. Leo took the trimmers and finished the back. As they cleaned up, Taco took the empty pan from Michael and held it as Saint scooped up the hair. Michael leaned against the wall in awe of his new friends as they each took turns shaving their heads in solidarity with him and Lizzy. The action said more than any words.
“I don’t know what to say,” he told the team as Leo stood in the front as the men flanked him.
“There’s nothing to say, you’re a part of us, when you hurt, we hurt, brother. We stand by you all the way,” Leo told him, as the team patted him on the shoulder and made their way back to the kitchen.
CHAPTER THIRTY THREE
Noticing the dark circles under Lizzy’s eyes, the women packed up the wigs as Samantha made some last-minute cuts to the wig Lizzy picked out. She selected a few different styles all in her normal black hair color, which Kassie placed on wig stands in her bathroom.
Edie handed Lizzy a smoothie, Carol demanded Catherine sit and Victoria pulled a few wigs from the pile. “I never thought of pink hair before, but I’ll admit it gives me some ideas.”
Maddie’s mouth puckered into a disapproving mother’s glare. “Victoria.”
Victoria turned to face Maddie. “What?”
“We don’t talk about such things,” Maddie insisted.
Victoria placed the pink wig on her head and adjusted the locks. The corner of her mouth curled. “The last time I checked, we’re all grown women here. It helps to share ideas occasionally. It keeps things…interesting behind closed doors.”
Maddie’s mouth dropped open. “You can’t be serious. They’re younger than us!”
Edie coughed to hide her giggle while Kassie seemed suddenly interested in picking up wrappings off the floor. Carol leaned forward eagerly awaiting what Victoria unveiled.
“I assure you everyone in this room has done the deed, my friend. How do you think they got pregnant, by holding hands?” She strutted around the room flipping back the hair from her wig off her shoulder.
Maddie dropped the garbage bag she held in her hands. “Ladies don’t discuss such things,” she insisted.
“Lucky for you, I’m not a lady. Come on, loosen up the corset and stop clutching your pearl necklace. We’re among women and who knows, we might teach these young ones a thing or two.” Victoria chuckled as Maddie turned a shade of red.
Carol coughed and avoided Maddie’s gaze, “Does Ivan do all those things he whispers to you?” She leaned in, her eyes rounded in curiosity. “Does he really spank you?”
“Carol!” Maddie choked.
“Mom!” Catherine’s mouth fell open.
Victoria let out a hearty laugh, “Only when I’ve been naughty which happens more often than naught.”
Carol ignored her daughter’s protests and Maddie’s appalled glare and leaned forward on the back of the couch. “Then why do you continue to misbehave? Ivan’s a bit scary when he gets mad.”