Page 18 of Nick

“I can’t go into the hospital. What about Jenna?”

“I will take care of her. You don’t have to worry about her. She’ll go home with me. I might even take her to see Luca.”

“Luca,” Jenna said. She broke down and started to cry.

“Why are you crying?” I asked, putting my arm around her.

“I want to see Luca.”

“Well, there you go. It’s all settled. We’ll stay here until you leave. Jenna, can you please pack yourself a suitcase full of clothes? Don’t forget your toothbrush.”

Thirty minutes later, an ambulance pulled up. “I want you to only think about getting better. When Luca gets cleared of these charges, he and Jenna will visit you.”

“I never thought I could get better. All I thought was I had to stay home with Jenna. Thank you. I will try hard to fight this damn cancer.”

With her directing me, I got everything ready for Sammy to go to the hospital and soon she was picked up. It was hard watching Jenna say goodbye to her; you could tell they were close.

* * *

I feltlike I needed a snicker bar, so I pulled into a gas station, and Jenna got out and started pumping gas before I knew she knew how. “I’m getting myself a snicker bar. What would you like?”

“I’ll take a snicker bar too. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Don’t go anywhere.”

“I won’t. I’m going to see Luca.”

What have I gotten myself into?

We drove the three-hour trip home, and I was beaten. I pulled into the driveway, and Axel and Tina sat on the porch. Jenna saw Axel and started clapping. They always used to play Baseball together. As soon as the vehicle stopped, Jenna jumped out, Axel met her, and he picked her up and twirled her around.

“How come you’re with Mom?”

“I’m going to see Luca.”

“What? Mom, are you taking Jenna to see Luca?”

“Jenna may have a problem, but you couldn’t tell by looking at her. She had long dark hair in a braid hanging down her back. As she hugged Axel, she tried to trip him.

“I’m going to see Luca,” she said to Axel with her hands on her hip.

“Okay, I didn’t say you weren’t. Where is Samantha?”

“She died.”

“What?”

“She didn’t die, Jenna. She’s in the hospital. Come on, Jenna, come meet Tina. Tina, this is Luca’s sister, Jenna. Jenna, this is Tina.”

“Hi, Tina.”

“Hello, Jenna. You have beautiful hair.”

“Thank you. Are you Axel’s friend?”

“She’s Axel’s friend and my friend. The same as you are.”

“I’m going to see Luca.”

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