Just a Little Hope

by Amy J. Norris

  Carter snickered.

  “What’s so funny, son?”

  “I guess I’m just getting a taste of my own medicine. I said the exact same thing to Tori today.”

  “Well, it was sound advice. I love you, son, and don’t overdo it, okay? We still worry about you, too.”

  “I know. Give my love to Mom.”

  He clicked off the phone and continued to stare off into the night sky. For the first time in days, his thoughts were not on Tori.

  “Dani, what trouble are you getting into now?”

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  It was hard for Tori to believe her father was coming home from the hospital only four days after brain surgery. She and her mom had spent practically every minute there for the last week, and the idea of being home for more than a few hours at a time was a relief.

  Tori had brought a few things home for him the night before so as to keep from having to bring everything today. If things went as planned, her dad should be released by mid-morning. She hoped it would happen because Carter was coming to pick her up and then drive them all back home when her dad was released. He felt, and she agreed, her dad might need a little help navigating the vehicle and then the steps into their home. Tori felt an immense relief when Carter suggested he come help them.

  Her doorbell buzzed, and when she peered through the peephole, she saw his handsome face. What a blessing he’d become through all of this. She was so thankful he’d had several home games in a row because he came by the hospital for several hours each day around his game schedule.

  She smiled. “Hey, there. I think I know you.”

  “I hope so. I wouldn’t want you doing this to strangers.”

  He pressed his lips to hers. He teased her mouth until she wrapped her arms around his neck, and she felt his hands slide down her back.

  Fighting the urge to press him against the door, she released him and stepped back. “Good morning.”

  “Good morning to you, sweetheart. How’d you sleep?”

  “About the same as always. Wanna cup of coffee before we go? I’ve got enough in the pot to fill a travel mug.”

  His eyes brightened. “That sounds perfect.”

  She left him in the living room and went into the kitchen to pour the coffee.

  Carter’s voice echoed through the room. “Have you heard from your mom this morning?”

  The aroma of the strong brew awakened her senses some more, and she released a deep breath. “She called about an hour ago. Daddy is ready to leave, although he’s still complaining a bit about his jaw being tender. But otherwise, things seem okay.”

  “I know you’ll be glad when they are both home and sleeping in their own bed.”

  Since her dad’s dismissal from the ICU, Tori’s mom hadn’t felt like leaving Will at night. No matter how much Tori pleaded, her mom refused to go home, choosing instead to sleep in the recliner by her dad’s bed.

  “No kidding am I ready. I know they are too.”

  She brought out the travel mug and handed it to him. “And if I haven’t said it yet, thanks again for everything you have done and are doing.”

  Carter tugged her close and laid a kiss on the top of her head. “Any time, sweetie. Any time.”

  ****

  “Seb, are you sure about this?”

  Carter stood next to Seb as they surveyed the row of vehicles marked “For Sale” in front of them.

  “Yep. The doc released Pax back to part-time work yesterday, and she’s gonna need a new car. No time like the present.”

  Carter crossed his arms over his chest and nodded. “I can understand that, but don’t you think she’s going to think you are going a little bit overboard.”

  His friend waved off his comment. “Nah. I’ll just call it an engagement present.”

  “If you think so.”

  “I do.”

  “Okay.”

  Carter followed Seb over to a black SUV a couple of rows over. Seb peered in the window and checked out the sticker price.

  “So, did you get Tori’s dad home okay?”

  “Yeah. He was released this morning, and we got him home around eleven. I’ve never seen anyone so happy to see his recliner.”

  “I bet. How’s Tori holding up?” Seb walked around the SUV, running his hands over the side panels and inspecting the tires.

  “Okay, I guess. I think she feels the need to be strong for her mom. Eventually, it’s going to catch up with her.”

  “No doubt. Is she still over at her folks?”

  “Yeah. She said she was going to stay a little while and then go over to your house to help Pax pack up her things. That’s gotta be strange for you to not have her there anymore.”

  Seb wandered over to another larger vehicle, whose silver chrome shone in the sunlight. Peering through the front window, he then cupped his hands to get a better look at the interior. “I’m not looking forward to it. But I know Pax is anxious to regain her independence. I’m happy about the progress she’s made.”

  “Yep.” Carter turned his attention to the vehicle Seb was interested in and watched as his friend walked several times around it.

  After a few moments, Seb pulled off his ball cap and rubbed his head. “What do you think about this one?”

  Carter stepped back. “It’s, ah… big.”

  Slapping his cap against his leg, Seb smiled. “Just what I was looking for. Hang tight. I’m going to talk to the sales guy.”

  “Okay, Seb. I’ll just be here next to this…” Carter glanced at the shiny, black, enormous vehicle beside him, “…Monster Truck.”

  ****

  Pax limped over to the closet and grabbed a few more tops and pants while Tori cleaned out the drawers in the bathroom.

  “Did your mom get off okay?”

  “Yes. Seb took her to the airport a little while ago and then said he had to run an errand.”

  Tori paused at the bathroom counter. “That’s interesting. When Carter left Mom and Dad’s house, he said he was going home because Seb was swinging by to pick him up.”

  “I don’t know. Maybe they had to do some kind of team-related event. I can barely keep up with my own schedule these days, much less Seb’s.”

  Tori walked back in the bedroom, hands full of beauty products. “Are you nervous about going back home?”

  Pax sat down on the bed and rested against the headboard. “A little bit. But I’m also anxious to get back to a more normal way of life. It’s been a crazy couple of months to say the least.”

  Tori nodded in agreement. The past few days had been exhausting. She longed for some sense of normal. “You’re telling me. Speaking of getting back to normal, is Seb just going to let you drive one of his cars for the time-being?”

  Pax shrugged her shoulders. “I suppose so. We didn’t talk about it, and I just assumed he’d let me take the SUV. I don’t know if he’d let me drive the BMW after what happened to my last car.”

  After dropping the products into Pax’s overnight bag, she sat beside her friend and patted her arm. “Now, Pax, like you had any control over the kid plowing into you.”

  “I know, but I think Seb wants me in some kind of army tank. He’s terrified something else is going to happen.” Pax turned away and looked out the bedroom window.

  Squeezing Pax’s arm, Tori then nudged her until Pax returned her smile. “He’s a big lug who’s just being cautious and loving. Give him a little while. I think he’s still getting used to the idea of you getting out on your own again.”

  “I know. He just drives me crazy sometimes. But I know he’s doing it out of love. Crazy love. But love anyway.”

  Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of the front door opening and steps in the hall. Carter’s face appeared in the doorway.

  “Hey, sweetie! Pax, Seb wants you to come outside. He’s got a present for you.”

  “Outside? Okay.”

  Tori helped Pax off the bed and they followed Carter outside. “It’s around
the corner.”

  As they approached the side-entry garage, Tori slowed, and she couldn’t stifle the laugh when she saw Pax’s present. It was an enormous SUV. In fact, it could’ve been the largest vehicle of its type that Tori’d ever seen. “Um, Pax. What was it you were saying about an army tank?”

  Seb’s face broke into a big smile when he saw them approach. “Surprise, honey! Carter and I went out and got you a new vehicle.”

  Carter waved his hands in defense. “Hey, for the record I’d like to say I had nothing to do with this decision. Not one thing.”

  Tori glanced in Pax’s direction. Her friend’s eyes were wide and her mouth was shaped in an “o”.

  She gave her friend a few minutes to compose herself and nodded in Seb’s direction. Poor Seb. He didn’t have a clue. “That’s quite a gift you’ve got there, Seb.”

  His grin lit up his face. “Yep. It’s an engagement present. What d’ya’ think, Pax?”

  Pax swiveled in Tori’s direction and shook her head before returning to look at her fiancé. “Seb. Honey. I’m not quite sure what to say. It’s, uh well… it’s big.”

  He pounded the hood and nodded. “Yep. Big and safe. Just what you need.”

  “Seb. It’s an army tank.”

  “Oh no, honey. It’s not an army tank. It’s made for civilians. An army tank would have weapons and machine guns, although that might not be a bad idea.”

  “Seb!” Pax continued to shake her head in apparent disbelief.

  Tori put her hand to her mouth, and her eyes connected with Carter’s. He too was trying not to laugh but the twinkle in his eyes betrayed him. This story the two of them would laugh over many times.

  Seb drew Pax over to the vehicle. “I’m kidding. Kinda. Look, honey, this can protect you from anything. It’s got this wonderful braking system and the side panels, are practically impenetrable.”

  “It’s a tank, Seb.”

  “Not really.”

  “Seb.”

  “Maybe a little bit.”

  “Seb.”

  “So you want me to take it back?”

  “Seb.”

  He dropped her hand and rubbed his neck before glancing in Carter’s direction. “Come on, Carter. We’re about to go make a salesperson very unhappy.”

  Carter walked over to Tori and gave her a quick peck on the lips. “Remind me of this moment whenever I need a laugh, okay?”

  Smiling, she leaned over and whispered in his ear. “Only if you do the same for me, okay?”

  Carter kissed her one more time and waved. “You ready, Seb?”

  Seb’s face was so downtrodden, Tori almost felt sorry for him. Pax wrapped her arms around him. Pulling back, she smiled. “I love you, Seb.”

  “Love you too, Pax.” Shrugging his shoulders he nodded in Carter’s direction. “Let’s go.”

  Tori and Pax watched Seb back the huge vehicle out of the driveway as Carter followed in Seb’s BMW.

  When they were finally out of sight, Tori glanced at Pax, and at the same time they burst into laughter.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Under the watchful eye of her mom, Tori helped her dad out of the car. Then she held his arm as they walked into Clint’s office. Today Clint was going to tell them about the clinical trial he had found and what the future plans were for Will’s treatment.

  They waited a several minutes before his nurse called them back to meet Clint. Making sure her parents were both seated comfortably, Tori perched up on the exam table and waited.

  A few minutes later, Clint opened the door and smiled at all of them. “Hey, everyone. It’s great to see you.”

  Tori swung her legs back and forth, anxious to hear Clint’s news.

  “So, I’ve combed through several trials all over the country, and I think the best one for your situation is located at Duke Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.”

  Her mom reached over and held Will’s hand.

  “Duke has a world-renown brain tumor center. I think they will give Will a great opportunity for treatment. What I need you to do is call this physician over there.” Clint handed her a card and a stack of papers. “And tell them who you are. I’ve sent them all of Will’s paperwork, MRIs, etc., but there are things they will want to ask you specifically.”

  Tori’s mom nodded as she thumbed through the paperwork Clint had given her.

  “Once they get that information from you, then we’ll learn how they want to proceed.”

  As her thoughts raced, Tori posed a question. “How might they proceed?”

  “Well, if your dad gets in the trial I’m hoping for, he’ll go to Duke and have an operation, where they’ll insert some medicine directly into the tumor site. The one downside of this trial is the doctors at Duke will want him to stay there for the duration of the trial. It would mean you would have to be there for at least six weeks.”

  Tori swallowed hard. Six weeks? Would she need to be with them for those six weeks? And if not, could she bear to be in St. Louis while they were so far away?

  “They may decide to put you in another trial. With that you would only have to go to Duke every three months, and the rest of the time your treatment could be done here.”

  For the first time, her dad spoke. “What’s the difference in the trials?”

  “Well, one of them is in its fourth release pattern, which means it’s been through three releases and has seen success. This trial is the one where they do a direct insertion of the medicine. The other trial is a good, but I think this one might be better.”

  Will reached out and put his hand on Clint’s shoulder. “We trust you, Clint. Thanks for all your hard work. We’re ready for whatever God puts before us.”

  ****

  “So it appears one of the options is M&D going to Duke for six weeks.”

  Carter read Tori’s text and frowned. He knew this was not an option she’d considered.

  “Is that the only option?”

  “No. But it’s the one Clint thinks is the best.”

  “When do you find out for sure?”

  “Not until they go for the first visit. Next week.”

  His heart hurt for Tori. Being so far away was an option he hadn’t considered.

  “I’m sorry, sweetie. I know that’s not what you were hoping for.”

  “Yeah. Daddy said he’s ready for whatever God gives him.”

  Tori’s dad had been amazing the past few days. Will’s faith in God continued to impress Carter with each encounter he had with him.

  “Good attitude. Your dad is great.”

  “I know. That’s why this stinks. Why him?”

  “I don’t have an answer for you.”

  “I know. Will you be back next week?”

  Carter checked his calendar. “Sunday night.”

  “Good. When they leave, it’s going to be hard.”

  “I’ll be there for you. However you need.”

  “I know. It means more than I can ever tell you.”

  ****

  Tori loaded the last of her parents’ luggage in the van and sighed. They had decided since they might be there for the next six weeks, it was more viable to drive there with as much as they could take with them. Her Uncle Brian and Aunt Caroline were going and would fly home after they helped her parents settle.

  Tori’s mom had found an extended stay hotel with suites that catered to Duke’s patients and their families. It had an extra bedroom. Tori could stay with them whenever she could make the trip. For that she was thankful. For the reason they were going, she still struggled.

  Her mom stood beside her. “Well, looks like that’s everything. Thanks for your help, Tori. We couldn’t have done it without you.”

  “No problem, Mom. I just wish I could go with you.”

  “I know you do, sweetheart. But there might be a time later when I’ll need you there. It’s best to wait until then.”

  “I understand. It doesn’t make me happy. But I understand.”

&nbs
p; They both turned to see Brian walking with her dad to the van, Caroline not far behind.

  “Tori, honey, I left the dishes in the sink. We just ran out of time.”

  “That’s fine, Aunt Caroline. I’ll do them after you’re gone. Michael told me not to worry about coming in today since he knew you were leaving. I’ve got plenty of time.”

  “Well, I hate to leave you with them, but I appreciate it nonetheless.”

  Tori gave her aunt a long hug. “Thank you for going with them. I know it means so much to both of them.”

  Caroline kissed her cheek. “We’ll take care of them. Try not to fret too much.”

  Her uncle tugged her into his embrace. “C’mere, kiddo. Don’t go too crazy while we’re all gone. Tell that boyfriend of yours to keep the Cards in the win column. We can’t let any more games slip away.”

  Tori laughed. “I’ll do what I can. I’m not sure it will help, but I’ll try.”

  “That’s all I ask, Hammerhead.”

  “Uncle Brian…”

  “What? I know you’re a hammerhead; you know you’re a hammerhead. What’s the problem?”

  Tori stepped on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to her uncle’s forehead. “I love you, Uncle Brian.”

  “You too, kiddo. And you’re still a hammerhead.”

  The hardest goodbye was yet to come. Her dad sat in the front passenger seat with the door open. He smiled as she approached and held out his arms.

  “Now, I’m counting on you to hold down the fort while we’re gone. Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it, okay?”

  “Yes, Daddy.” Her fears were being realized, and Tori felt her heart slowly begin to break at his words.

  “I know you’re sad we’re leaving, but you can call any time. And remember, I’m never farther away than the beat of your heart.”

  “I know.” She took several deep breaths to try and stave off the tears that were bubbling beneath the surface.