Page 35 of Write Me For You
“Is your mom coming?” Chris asked me, just as the parents who were staying on-site began to trickle in.
“Cherry?” Neenee called. She was clearly up first.
I was distracted as I watched her go, keeping my eyes on the door as I answered Chris. “She couldn’t get time off work, but I’ll video call her, so she gets the results when I do.”
“Cool,” he said as I only half listened.
June’s slim hand slipped into mine, and she led me to a couch. I watched the clock on the wall, feeling like I was crawling out of my skin. I just wanted these damn results back.
June was talking to Emma, and she laughed—that laugh was enough to pull my attention away from the length of Cherry’s appointment and just stare at my girl.
A flash of fear cut down my spine. What if Junebug’s results weren’t good? What if mine were and hers weren’t?
My throat clogged up just at the thought. June must have felt me watching her, as she turned to me. Her eyebrows pulled down, just as the sound of Cherry leaving the doc’s office sailed into the room from down the hallway. We all stilled. You could have heard a pin drop—we were that quiet. Cherry’s mama’s cries came next, and my heart began to beat faster.
Was that a good cry or a bad one?
We didn’t have to wait long to find out though because Cherry came in, a wide smile on her face and said, “It’s working.” She seemed to be in complete disbelief.
I exhaled a breath I hadn’t even known I was holding. Mr. and Mrs. Scott came into the room and went straight across to congratulate Cherry and her parents.
“It’s working,” Emma said in disbelief.
I think, deep down, we had all been too scared to truly believe it could.
“It’s fucking working!” Chris said loudly, excitedly, and practically jumped on me in celebration. “Did you hear that?!”
“I did.” Excitement took hold of me. “I fucking did!”
“Jesse, can we do without the F-bombs, please?” Neenee said, but I saw even she was grinning.
“Anything for you, Neenee,” I said, and she shook her head at my cheekiness.
“Chris, you’re up.” Chris went with his parents, smiling and confident in his steps. Cherry sat with Silas, Kate, and Toby, full of life. Her happiness was infectious.
“I’m so happy for her,” June said. Emma echoed the sentiment. We were actively watching people’s dreams coming true.
One by one, people saw the doc—Emma, Silas, Toby, Kate—until it was my turn. All with positive results. I took hold of June. I didn’t want her to be last, but she rubbed my arms in excitement.
“I’ll be here when you’re done,” she said.
Mr. and Mrs. Scott came over. Mr. Scott put his hand on my shoulder and said, “Do you need anyone in with you, son? I’d be happy to come with you.” The way my throat closed in appreciation was instant.
I cleared my throat but said, “No thank you, sir. We’re video calling my mom. But I really appreciate the offer.”
Mr. Scott nodded, then tapped my arm in support. Mrs. Scott gave me a tight hug, and June blew me a kiss. I followed Neenee into the doc’s office in a daze. I quickly video called my mom. Her face came on the screen, and I could see the worry in her eyes.
“I’ll get straight to the point,” Dr. Duncan said, looking at his computer. Every muscle in my body stilled. “I’m happy to say that your blood and scans are showing that the new chemo and targeted drug therapy are having a positive effect on your AML.” I blinked and blinked again as I heard my mom begin to cry in relief. “These are still early days, and we have more to come, but I am very pleased with your initial results.”
Dr. Duncan nodded, and I looked down to my phone. “Jesse…” my mom said, searching for words. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you, Mom,” I said, voice barely there from shock. Since I’d been diagnosed, there hadn’t been one bit of good news. This felt foreign. It felt… I didn’t even know.
“Call me later, Sunshine,” Mama said, and I walked like a zombie into the rec room. June and her folks were the first people I saw, and June jumped to her feet, brown eyes wide.
“It’s working,” I said, and caught another triumphant whoop from Chris somewhere in the room. June’s happiness engulfed her face, and she ran to me, wrapping her arms around my waist. She was petite, but it felt like her embrace swallowed my six-foot-two frame.
I held her back, needing her to get the same news.
