Sweet Summer Days

by Sheryl Lister

  Dr. Banos perched on the stool. “The result of your biopsy shows atypical ductal hyperplasia. That’s not a form of breast cancer, but it’s a marker for an increased chance of developing it in the future.” She provided a detailed explanation.

  Celeste’s heart pounded in her chest. “What happens now?”

  “The recommendation is for you to have a surgical biopsy to remove the cells, however, I want to refer you to an oncologist, as well.”

  “I thought you said it wasn’t cancer.”

  “It doesn’t show that it is, but we won’t know for sure until after the test. I’d rather have all the pieces in place beforehand. Just in case.”

  She sat stunned for a moment. A sharp sense of déjà vu rose inside her and she fought to push it back down.

  The doctor clicked a few keys. “I’ll be right back.” She left, came back and handed Celeste two sheets of paper. “These are the referrals for the biopsy and the oncologist. Come on out to the front and I’m going to have Greta call right now to get you on the schedule.”

  Celeste slowly stood and followed her out. Fifteen minutes later, she drove home, numb. Everything had been going so well, and now this. She knew Deborah would be waiting for an update and checked the time. Seeing that it was past the time when her sister got off work, she dropped down on the bed and pushed the button on her cell.

  “Hey, sis,” Deborah said when she answered.

  “Hey. I got the results back from the biopsy and they found some pre-cancer cells. The doctor already scheduled me to meet with the breast surgeon and oncologist.”

  “I’m so sorry, Celeste. I know that wasn’t the news you were hoping for, but I’m glad it isn’t cancer.”

  “But some of those cells could be hiding.” She blew out a long breath. “I have to tell Emery and I know he’s going to worry.”

  “I can see that because of what happened with his dad. I know our family history doesn’t make this easy, but I truly believe they aren’t going to find anything.”

  “Our history is what has me worried.”

  “I hear you. Have you told Thad?”

  “No. I don’t want to worry him.”

  “Girl, you need to tell him. He’ll probably want to be there.”

  “I can’t put him through that.” She remembered how it was with Gary—all the treatments, the pain, the bleak look in his eyes—and she couldn’t subject Thad to the same thing.

  “I still think you need to tell Thad.”

  “I’ll think about it. I need to get off and call Emery.”

  “Okay, keep me posted. Hang in there, honey. It’ll all turn out alright.”

  “I will and I hope so.” They spoke a minute longer, then said goodbye. Celeste called Emery and asked him to stop by tomorrow.

  She spent a restless night visualizing every possible situation, none of them positive, and by morning, her stomach was tied in knots. Her mother had gone through a similar situation and there had been a few malignant cells. Yes, her mother had come through fine, but Celeste would just rather skip the whole ordeal. Her thoughts shifted to Thad. Though she told Deborah she would think about telling him, Celeste had all but decided not to share the information with him. She laid in bed a while longer, then got up to start her day. Emery would be over around four and that gave her plenty of time to do her grocery shopping and cleaning.

  As she went about her tasks, she couldn’t stop her mind from racing. Celeste finished folding and putting away her clothes, then decided to call her mother.

  “Hey, Celeste,” her mother said.

  Celeste smiled. Her seventy-two-year-old mother had gotten a smartphone and loved being able to see the caller’s name on the display. “Hi, Mom. You have a minute?”

  “Of course, baby. Is something bothering you? You never ask me if I have time unless that’s the case.”

  “I had a mammogram and a biopsy and they found some pre-cancer cells. Now the doctor wants me to have a surgical biopsy.”

  “Oh, honey. I know you’re thinking it’s going to turn out like mine, but that may not be the case. Don’t go borrowing any trouble from tomorrow. Today has enough of its own.”

  She sighed. “I know. I’m trying, but it’s hard not to think about all the bad scenarios.”

  “What’s your doctor saying?”

  “She doesn’t think they’re cancerous as far as she can tell.”

  “Then we’ll go with that. You’re going to be just fine, Celeste. I can feel it.”

  Celeste laughed. Talking to her mother always lifted her spirits. “Thanks, Mom.”

  “Hey, that’s what we mothers do. What else is going on?”

  “Well, I met a man.”

  Her mother fell silent for a moment. “Really?”

  “Yes. His name is Thad Whitcomb and he’s pretty nice.”

  “Handsome?”

  “Yes, he is.” She told her mother how they met and about their subsequent dates. “Emery showed up when Thad was here for dinner and he wasn’t too happy.”

  “He’ll be alright. It’s time for him to learn that life goes on. Send me a picture of Thad.”

  “Mom, I don’t have any.”

  “Why not? Isn’t that what all these fancy phones are for? I need to check him out and see if he’s as handsome as you say.”

  Celeste burst out laughing. “I think it’s time for us to end this call.”

  “Okay. Your dad and I are going to take a walk before it gets too late. Keep me posted on both things.”

  “I will. Love you, Mom.”

  “Love you too, baby.”

  She hung up and shook her head. Her mother could be outrageous and Deborah had inherited that same sassiness. She stood, grabbed her list and headed to the grocery store.

  Emery arrived at exactly four and Celeste couldn’t resist teasing him. “I can’t believe you’re here. You’ve never been on time for anything, except work.”

  Chuckling, he bent to kiss her cheek. “Yeah, well, this sounded pretty important. Believe me, I thought about showing up two hours ago.”

  “Come on in and let’s talk about it. You want me to fix you something to eat?” she asked as they walked through the dining room and kitchen to the family room.

  “No, thanks. I met a friend for lunch.”

  “That friend wouldn’t by chance happen to be a woman, would it?”

  Emery groaned. “Aw, Mom, don’t start with the when-are-you-going-to-settle-down speech.”

  “I’m not. I was just asking. Why is it that you get to ask all about my business and expect answers, but I can’t do the same?”

  “I don’t know what you mean.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Right. So grilling me about Thad isn’t jumping into my business?”

  A guilty expression crossed his face.

  “Mmm hmm, that’s what I thought. So?”

  He dropped down on the sofa. “Yes, Mom, it was a woman. We met a couple of months ago at one of those business expos and decided to keep in touch. She was in town for her job, so we met for lunch.”

  Celeste sat next to him and tucked her feet beneath her. “Oh, she doesn’t live here?”

  “Nope. Philadelphia. She’s cool and all, but I don’t do long distance relationships. So, what’s going on?”

  “Well, I had a biopsy in my left breast and they found some abnormal cells. The doctor wants me to have a surgical biopsy to make sure—”

  “Make sure it’s not cancer,” he finished grimly. He braced his elbows on his knees and cradled his head in his hands. “Do they think there’s a chance it is?”

  “They seem to think not, but we won’t know for sure until they remove them.” The tension rolled off him in waves and she knew what he was thinking.

  Emery lifted his head. “Are you worried?”

  She gave him a wry smile. “I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t.”

  He nodded. “Me, too. All I can see is a repeat of what happened with Dad and I cannot go through that again. I’m
going to trust that the doctor knows what she’s talking about and that the cells are probably not malignant.” He gave her a strong hug. “Don’t worry. It’s going to be okay, I can feel it. I love you, Mom.”

  “I love you, too, sweetheart.” He always did his best to make her feel better. Even as a child, when she had a headache, he would come and massage her temples. She could barely feel the pressure of his small fingers, but, somehow, the pain would dissipate. “I made some chocolate chip cookies earlier,” Celeste said, wanting to lighten the mood.

  Emery’s face lit with a wide grin. He jumped up and took off to the kitchen. He came back a minute later with five of the dozen she had made, one of them half eaten. “These are so good,” he said around a mouthful.

  “Five cookies, Emery?”

  “What? They’re good. I brought you one so you can’t say I ate them all.”

  She snatched the cookie he held out and took a bite. “I didn’t raise you to be this greedy.”

  “Maybe not, but you did raise me to enjoy good food, and yours is the best.” He polished off the second cookie and winked.

  Celeste shook her head. “I know you’re trying to butter me up for something. Whatever it is, the answer is no.”

  Emery brought his hand to his chest in mock disbelief. “Mom, I would never do anything like that.” He laughed so hard, he started coughing.

  Smiling, she pointed a finger his way. “See, that’s what happens when you don’t tell the truth.”

  “I need something to drink,” he croaked, and went back to the kitchen.

  Still chuckling, Celeste reached over to answer her ringing phone. “Hello.”

  “Now that’s the sound a man likes to hear when his woman answers the phone. How are you, baby?”

  Her insides flipped every time Thad called her baby. “Hey, Thad. I’m good. What’s up?”

  “I just left from Brandon and Faith’s and I wanted to know if it’s okay to stop by.”

  “Sure.”

  “I should be there in about ten minutes.”

  “I’ll be here.” Celeste hung up.

  “So that‘s what the goofy expression you used to tease me about whenever I liked a girl looks like,” Emery said, reclaiming his seat and taking a sip of milk. “I take it that was Mr. Whitcomb.”

  “Yes, and I don’t have any goofy look.”

  “Whatever you say.”

  “He’s on his way over.”

  “I guess it’ll be a good time for me to make that apology.”

  She smiled. “Yep.”

  “If I didn’t know better, I would swear you set me up.”

  “Not this time. You heard the phone ring. He was visiting his daughter. She’s expecting a baby.”

  “Does he have any other kids?”

  “No, just the one.”

  Emery brought the glass to his lips. “So, you’re going to be dating a grandpa?”

  If he hadn’t had that glass in his hand, she would have smacked him. “He’d be dating a grandma, if somebody would settle down.”

  He frowned. “I’m only twenty-nine.”

  “I was married and had a six-year-old by that age,” she said sweetly.

  “Ugh. I think I need another cookie.”

  Celeste watched as he unfolded his six-foot plus body from the sofa and disappeared around the corner. A few minutes later, Thad arrived. He greeted her with a kiss that weakened her knees.

  “I’ve been waiting to do that since I left Thursday night. These sweet lips call to me.” Thad brushed his thumb across her lips.

  The contact seared her. “Um…hi. Emery’s here.”

  “Good. Maybe we’ll have a chance to talk.”

  Emery was standing in the family room when they entered. “Hi, Mr. Whitcomb. It’s good to see you again.”

  “Same here.”

  “I owe you an apology for my behavior the last time and I hope we can start over.”

  Thad reached out to shake Emery’s hand. “Apology accepted and we can absolutely start over. I planned to take your mother out to dinner this evening, if she’s not busy. You’re welcome to join us.”

  “I appreciate the invite, but I already have plans.”

  Celeste sent an approving smile to her son and a grateful one to Thad.

  They hadn’t been seated two minutes before Emery asked, “So what are your intentions toward my mother?”

  She whipped her head around and skewered him with a look. She would have to remind him, yet again, that she was the parent and not the other way around.

  Thad, on the other hand, didn’t hesitate. He spoke to Emery, but his eyes never left Celeste’s. “I like your mother a lot and I’m hoping we can build something long-lasting.”

  She took in his serious expression and her heart started racing.

  “Didn’t you just meet her a few weeks ago?” Emery asked. “No disrespect, but how do you know all that already?”

  Thad laughed. “When you get to a certain point in your life, it doesn’t take long to know what you want or who you want.”

  Mercy! Celeste needed a fan. The intensity in his gaze threatened to incinerate her. She knew she was falling for him, but this just tipped the scale further.

  Faith called while Thad and Celeste were at the restaurant and his first thought was the baby. “Is the baby okay?”

  “Yes. I just wanted to let you know you left the books.”

  “I put them down to help Brandon move the table and walked off without them. Let me call you later. Celeste and I are out to dinner.”

  “Ooh, go Dad! Tell her I said hello. You should take her to the Santa Monica Pier afterward.”

  “You’ve got to go to the amusement park, too,” Brandon said into the phone. “She’ll fall right into your arms,” he added with a laugh.

  Thad chuckled. “Thanks for the advice.”

  Faith giggled. “Bye and have fun.”

  “Sorry,” he said after hanging up. “Faith wanted to let me know I left something at their house earlier, and then she and Brandon decided I needed some dating pointers.”

  Celeste leaned forward and propped her chin in her hands. “So, what did they suggest?”

  “They said we should go to Santa Monica Pier and the amusement park.”

  “I love the beach, so that’s a great suggestion.” She leaned back. “I can’t remember the last time I went to the amusement park. I used to go all the time when I was a teen.”

  “Then how about we finish up and do that, too?”

  “You’re on.”

  They finished dinner and drove over to the pier. Celeste hooked her arm in his and they strolled along the path. The warm mid-June temperatures made it a perfect evening activity and the contentment Thad felt, immeasurable. As they neared the carousel, Thad slowed. “Would you like to ride?”

  “Yes.”

  The smile she gave him made his heart flip. He paid the fare and they climbed on, opting to sit on one of the benches. Thad draped an arm around her shoulder and she leaned against him.

  “This is wonderful. So many memories. Can we head over to the amusement park after this?”

  “Of course. We can go anywhere you want.” When the carousel came to a stop, he helped her down and they headed toward the park. Instead of purchasing the unlimited wristbands, they decided to pay for individual rides. “It’s changed a lot since the last time I was here.”

  “It has. I think it’s been close to twenty years since I’ve been here.”

  “It’s been even longer than that for me. Where to first?”

  “If you’d asked me that question when I was sixteen, we would already be in line for the roller coaster.” Celeste shook her head. “These days, that Ferris Wheel over there is about my limit for height and speed.”

  Thad laughed. “Same here. My daredevil days are long gone.”

  “Amen. How about you and me doing one more daredevil stunt, grown folks style? That Ferris Wheel is calling my name.” Celeste grabbed him by the han
d and started in that direction, her laughter sounding like music to his ears.

  From the top of the ride, they had a panoramic view of the coastline and because the sun had begun its descent, the multi-colored solar powered lights made for a spectacular scene. It seemed as if everyone had the same idea of taking advantage of the great weekend weather. Afterwards, Thad and Celeste continued to stroll through the crowded park and shared a funnel cake.

  Thad couldn’t recall ever being turned on by a woman eating, but tonight watching Celeste lick the whipped cream had turned him on in ways he couldn’t begin to describe. His body had reacted as if he were twenty years younger.

  At the beach a while later, he stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her. She covered his hands with hers, and together, they watched the last few minutes of the sunset. He turned her to face him. “This summer is turning out to be one of the sweetest I’ve ever known. You take my breath away, Celeste.” Thad captured her mouth in a gentle kiss, then took her hand and resumed their walk. Afterwards, he led her back to the car.

  Celeste placed her hand against his cheek. “I enjoy being with you, Thad.”

  He kissed her palm. “And I enjoy you. Are you in a hurry to get home?” The dash clock read nine o’clock.

  “Not at all. What did you have in mind?”

  “It occurred to me that you’ve never seen my place, so I thought we’d go there, have some dessert and talk or watch a movie.”

  “Sounds good to me.”

  They spent the drive discussing their favorite movies. It occurred to Thad, that other than Annette, he had never brought a woman to his home. He opened the door and stepped back to let her enter first. He turned on a table lamp and led her through the living room and kitchen to the family room, stopping briefly to retrieve a container out of the refrigerator.

  “You have a lovely home. How do you keep it so clean?”

  “It’s only me here, so it’s easy.” He gestured her to the sofa and sat beside her. He handed her the box. “I know how much you like strawberries.”

  Celeste opened it and a wide grin spread across her face. “I love chocolate-dipped strawberries.” She slanted him a glance. “You didn’t want any, did you?”