Page 71 of Too Far To Sea
Jen crossed her arms. “You’ve kept me in suspense for two days. Telling the doctor he couldn’t communicate with me was hardly fair.”
“I don’t see it that way. You both knew the cancer had come for a return visit and that this time it was bad. The surgery is only to buy me some time and to decide if other interventions are needed. After counseling with my oncologist, I am taking one round of chemo in hopes of living through this Christmas.”
Jen gasped.
Just over six months. He needed to sit, but the chair was too far from his mother’s side. McKay reached for his mother’s hand. She took his, but her grip was less than that of a young child’s.
“I’ve been here before and done this whole cancer treatment regiment. I’ll start the treatment the week after Gracie’s trip to the park. I wanted to go and perhaps ride some of the rides without being sick. My doctor says I shouldn’t, so we will see. No promises to Gracie yet. I am going to do as much as I can in my last few months.”
McKay wanted to protest. There had to be something more that could be done. “But?—”
His mother cut him off with a look. “I got a few more years than we planned on last time. I know neither of you is ready. No one ever is. Put away those long faces. I am in no mood to lecture you or hear alternative plans.”
McKay sat in silence, a helplessness he couldn’t battle blanketed him. He’d known since he got the news that this would be the end, but until now he hadn’t felt the enormity of it.
“If you are going to stare at me like I am already gone, I’ll page the doctor and have him put the mass he removed back in. Think of this as a blessing. You know what to plan on and thanks to the fact this isn’t the first time, all my affairs are in order, so we can not be bothered by the pesky little details.”
“Why didn’t you consult with us?” asked Jen.
“Because we would have come to the same conclusion. Now if you’ll excuse me, the painkiller makes me tired. I’ll see you tomorrow and then McKay can tell me all about his new love. I want to be alert for the story.” Mom’s voice faded, while she closed her eyes as she finished speaking.
The only sound in the room was the faint beep of the heart monitor. Jen studied it as only a nurse could. She nodded and left the room. McKay followed.
In the car Jen didn’t turn on the ignition. “I suspected this, but hearing her say it. Christmas. Can you stay that long?”
“I didn’t sign a new contract which means I have as long as I want.” The last three days he’d toyed with the idea of staying on land. He’d daydreamed about settling down, having a family of his own. But in the background, his children had a grandmother. Tomorrow he would have to lie. He never lied to Mom. Well, there was that incident with the hammer and the window, but he was nine. This lie would have to be convincing.
20
Dana’s apartmentwas absurdly quiet. For the first time since she started this job, the door leading to the Ogilvie’s was locked from their side. A problem she hadn’t anticipated as she always used their laundry room. She texted Brit and Simone.
Dana: Can I use your washer and dryer? I’m locked out of the Ogilvie’s.
Minutes passed before she got a response.
Brit: Sure. Simone is on a flight and I won’t be back until 6 or so. I’ll tell Javier and ask him to let you in.
Dana: Thanks.
The head of building security, Javier, also worked for Hastings. Dana opened the app and sent him a direct message before she gathered her laundry and headed to the elevator.
At Brit’s floor, the door opened. Javier leaned against the opposite wall. “You could have asked to use my laundry, you know.”
“I don’t know your new roommate and didn’t think he’d take kindly to having a stranger in there.”
“I don’t have one yet. Hastings hasn’t hired anyone new. With the Ogilvies moving to Indiana, they are playing musical chairs or apartments with the security teams.” He stopped in front of Brit’s door and tapped his phone to unlock the door. “Are you going to go in and out?”
“No, I brought a book and I have enough laundry to keep me busy until Brit gets home.”
“Text me if you do and I’ll give you access until later.” He grinned. Javier had that magnetic charm that made most women swoon.
Dana considered herself immune to it, but it lifted her spirits. “You could have given me access from wherever you were.”
“And miss seeing you? I understand there is a love interest to talk about.”
“How could I be in love with anyone but you?” The familiar banter comforted her. “But I have news Brit and Simone haven’t heard yet.”
“Really? Tell.”
