by Julie Allan
“I suppose I better head over to the shop. I’ve got to pick Sawyer up at school and take him to the dentist this afternoon to get that cavity filled. I would think Dot would beat us home.”
“I will be here. Do you want me to take care of dinner tonight?”
“No, I think I’m going to bring home a casserole from the shop and make a salad to go with it. Besides, I will need you to help more once we get treatment underway.” Lizzie carried her mug to the sink and put her coat back on. “See you this afternoon.”
“Have a good rest of the day,” Aunt Dorothy said.
Lizzie and Bennett sat across the table from Meg and Ben, as Ben went through the documents they needed to sign for the sale of their house. It was hard to believe they had lived in that house for almost fifteen years. Lizzie was thrilled when the house across the street from Aunt Dorothy had come up for sale. It had needed some work, but with Bennett, she knew they could fix it up and begin a family. They had remodeled the kitchen and bathrooms. They had stripped old wallpaper and built a large screen porch on the back. Now, strangers would be living there. Well, maybe they would become friends. After all, they would be neighbors.
Bennett finished signing and passed the pen to Lizzie so she could do the same. “Thanks, Ben. While we’re here, I’d like to make sure our wills are up to date.”
Lizzie’s head snapped up, and she looked from Bennett to Ben. She wanted to scream at him, are you trying to jinx us! She could see Bennett was in his taking care of business mode, so she went back to the task at hand, keeping her ear tuned in for Ben’s response.
“Sure, is there anything particular you want to check or add?” Ben poised his pen over his legal pad.
“I think this is where I will step out. Thanks again for hiring me to sell your house,” Meg said, rising from the table.
Ben, Bennett, and Lizzie all shook her hand. “Thank you! You got us an excellent price” Bennett said.
Ben walked Amy out. He came back in and sat down. “So about the wills?”
“Well, I was thinking that with the sale of the house, and Aunt Dorothy deeding over her house to us, we should just check that all is in order,” Bennett answered.
“It is always a good idea to review these documents. I haven’t looked your wills over since they were drawn up before my time. So if you give me a few days, I can examine them and get back to you.”
Lizzie managed a smile “Thanks, Ben. Bennett and I haven’t updated our wills since Sawyer was born eight years ago.”
Ben looked over the table at them, concern on his face. “I’ll take a look at everything and, I’ll call you by Thursday.”
The three stood, and Ben escorted them out to the reception area. He hugged both of them.
“That’s the advantage of having your nephew serve as your attorney, legal service with hugs.” Lizzie kissed Ben on his cheek.
In the parking lot, Lizzie grabbed Bennett’s arm. “Thanks for thinking about the wills.”
“I’m always thinking about this family.” Bennett raised his eyebrows. “I have to say; I’m surprised you weren’t freaked out by it.”
“I’ll admit, it was disconcerting to hear you bring up the wills. But . . . When you’re married to a boy scout, you learn to expect all the practical matters to be handled.” Lizzie kissed Bennett. “I’ll see you at home.”
Bennett brushed the back of his hand across Lizzie’s cheek and kissed her back. “I have a hankering for your chicken stuffed shells. What are my chances?”
Lizzie opened up her car door. “I think your chances are pretty good.”
The week marched on. A cold rain was falling and the drab, drooping clouds mirrored Lizzie’s sense of dread. Tomorrow they would have Bennett’s simulation appointment for the radiation. Soon the hospital would become part of their daily routine. She stepped into the little French café in Seaside Farms and was assailed by the fresh smell of baked goods. Before her was a case laden with flaky croissants, decadent tarts, and artful napoleons. She had already planned to get a dozen macaroons to take home. She was meeting M.A. for lunch, and a tutorial on how to help Bennett through his treatment. Lizzie had read a lot of things on-line, but a best friend who was also an R.N. was better.
Lizzie heard the door jingle and turned to see a bundled and dripping M.A. step in.
“Wow, I need some hot coffee!” M.A. hugged Lizzie hello. Her eyes lit up at the sight of the pastry case that greeted them.
“I know. Makes you want to skip lunch and go straight to dessert.” Lizzie handed M.A. a menu.
“Oh, I will plan to eat both lunch and dessert. Plus, get some things to take home.”
They got in line and ordered the quiche special with steaming cups of café au lait. They took their number to a small table by the window and placed the number on the stand. The waitress brought their coffee and they both held their cups in their hands, soaking up the warmth.
M.A. took a long sip and set her cup back in its saucer. “I know Elizabeth is not having a great day.”
“Why is that?”
“Room full of first graders plus sky full of rain . . .”
Lizzie laughed. “I guess teachers earn extra shine on their halos on days like these.”
“Oh! I can’t believe I didn’t tell you this first thing!” M.A. clutched her hand to her chest.
“What?” Lizzie wasn’t sure she could take any bad news.
“My little Elizabeth, your goddaughter, is engaged!”
Lizzie clapped her hands together. “Oh, that is wonderful! I love Ryan! It is Ryan?”
“Yes, they have been pretty much inseparable for the past five years. Both Jim and I are thrilled. We really like his parents also. I just can’t believe I’m old enough to have a child getting married!”
“You will be the prettiest mother of the bride in history.” Lizzie raised her coffee cup. “We should toast.” They clinked their glasses just as the quiche and side salads arrived. “I want to hear all about the wedding plans.”
“Not much to tell yet. They have only been engaged a few days. Besides, today is about getting you prepared for Bennett’s treatment. Trust me, we will need the wedding plans to distract you down the road.”
Lizzie set down her fork. “Do you really think it will be bad? I have been reading about the side effects.”
“I won’t sugar coat this for you. It is going to get bad before it gets better. You have to keep that in mind. Some people tolerate the treatment better than others.”
They ate in silence for a few moments. Lizzie tried to concentrate on the savory flavors that tantalized her tongue. It was a good exercise for living in the moment.
“I think I’m more worried about how Bennett will react to being sidelined. He went practically stir crazy after surgery.”
“Bennett is in great shape overall, so hopefully the side effects will be minimized. Has he read about the treatment?”
“Yes, he is most concerned about his appetite. He has had me make all his favorite dishes recently as if he might never get to enjoy them again.”
“Eating with the nausea and the metallic taste is a challenge. I’m betting the fatigue is going to be the hardest on Bennett. I have never known him to be idle.”
Lizzie looked down at their empty plates. “Do you have time for more coffee and some dessert?”
“Absolutely! If we order two different things we can share.”
“Good idea!”
Lizzie and M.A. studied the pastry case finally selecting a triple chocolate napoleon and a lemon tart. The forks did not drop until the last crumb was inhaled.
“Lizzie, anytime, day or night, if things get overwhelming, just call.”
“Thanks. I am so blessed to have you!” Lizzie’s eyes welled up with tears. “I’m trying so hard not to be afraid.”
“It is completely normal to be afraid. Just remember you have great statistics and Bennett’s strength on your side. Plus, all of us who love the both of you.”
While the friends had enjoyed their trip to the French café, it gave them a Parisian experience in the midst of a dreary day. The rain had stopped, and the clouds were beginning to break apart. Lizzie felt her fear doing the same thing. M.A. always knew how to ground Lizzie, and at the same time lift her spirits. Lizzie had also gathered practical advice of how to help Bennett through his treatments.
On the way home, Lizzie stopped off at the grocery store. At breakfast, Bennett had requested she make her stir-fry of beef and broccoli for supper. Lizzie picked up some flank steak and broccoli florets and then hit the ice cream aisle. Along with the macaroons, she had picked up at the French café, some vanilla ice cream would make a nice mid-week dessert treat.
“I’m back,” Lizzie called out, setting the bags of groceries down on the table.
“I’m in the living room,” hollered Aunt Dorothy.
Lizzie stuck her head in. “Do you want any tea or anything before I get started trimming the meat and preparing the marinade?”
Aunt Dorothy was in the leather recliner with a book on her lap. “I just fixed a cup. How is M.A.?”
“She is just fine. Elizabeth got engaged.” Lizzie came in and sat down on the sofa across the room from Aunt Dorothy.
“Oh, that is marvelous news! It will be fun to hear all about the plans.”
“Yes, it’s nice to think about happy things like weddings.” Lizzie sighed and hugged a throw pillow to her chest.
“Child, I know you are dreading the next few weeks, but I am sure it will not be doom and gloom all day, every day. There are bound to be moments that are normal and happy too.”
“You are absolutely right!” Lizzie stood up abruptly. “I better get the meat started.”
Lizzie trimmed off the silver skin and cut the flank steak into strips. Sawyer came running in the door. “Hi, Mom!”
“Hello, my sweet boy! How was your day?”
“Good. I don’t have any homework; can I go over to Hampton’s house?”
“Sure. Do you want a snack first?”
“No, ma’am. Hampton said we could have a snack over there.”
“Okay, just be home by five-thirty.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Sawyer was back out the door, and Lizzie could see him heading around the corner of the house.
Lizzie poured the marinade over the beef and covered the bowl with plastic wrap. Dot came in dragging her backpack and herself to the table.
“What’s up, buttercup?” Lizzie walked over and kissed Dot on the top of her head.
“Too much homework,” Dot sighed and began to pull out her binder and several textbooks.
“How about a snack before you start tackling that?”
“Thanks, but I think I will fix myself one of my famous smoothies.” Dot got up and pulled out the blender. She gathered the yogurt, frozen blueberries, and a measuring cup. “Mama, do you think I’m pretty?”
Lizzie’s tween antenna shot up. “Of course, I do. You are beautiful inside and out.” Lizzie waited for Dot to respond, but she was intent on measuring the yogurt and blueberries into the blender. Lizzie took the bait. “What made you ask that?”
Dot walked back from the sink carefully with water now in her measuring cup and dumped it in the blender. “A boy at school called me monkey face.” She scooped a spoonful of sugar from the sugar canister and sprinkled it over the ingredients in the blender.
“Since when do you care what other people say? Usually, when a boy says something like that, it means he secretly likes you.”
“Ew! I hope not!” Dot’s face contracted with horror. Flustered by Lizzie’s suggestion, she pushed the blender on. Yogurt and blueberries flew up coating the upper cabinet and the counter top. Dot’s hair and face were dripping with the mixture.
Lizzie flew across the kitchen and hit the off button. “They say a yogurt facial is a good beauty treatment, monkey face.”
The two broke into uncontrollable laughter. Bennett walked in and took a long look at the scene. “I see my daughter is eagerly following in her mother’s footsteps.”
Chapter 13
The field of stars twinkled in the cold, dark sky. Lizzie and Bennett stood on the dock while Maddie and Monroe sniffed around the yard. It was in the mid-forties, and the forecast was close to freezing by morning. A light breeze blew steadily off the water, and Lizzie moved closer to Bennett.
Bennett ran his hand across the top of his head. “Well, one treatment down and I still have my hair.”
“I would hope so, the information I read says if you are going to lose your hair, it will happen around two weeks in.”
“It was so strange; I only had that machine go around me for a few minutes. It’s hard to understand how it is doing anything.”
“At least you have two weeks of easy before we add the chemo into the mix.”
“Yes, I have a feeling adding the chemo is going to make things more complicated.”
For the next two weeks, the days followed the new routine. After getting the children off to school, Bennett would go over things with Jeremy, and Lizzie would get on the computer to take care of business for The Biscuit Box. Around nine forty-five they would get in Lizzie’s SUV, and Lizzie would drop Bennett at the door of the hospital while she parked. She would meet him in the waiting room, and within ten to fifteen minutes he would go back and get his daily dose of radiation. After, they would head back to the house and have lunch. Then they would both spend the afternoon working. Lizzie would switch into mommy duty by three. After afternoons filled with homework, lessons, and practices, the family would gather for dinner. Bennett continued his homework check and bedtime routine with Dot and Sawyer, while Lizzie spent time with Aunt Dorothy. By the end of the week, Lizzie was confident that this was going to be easier than they had initially thought. So far, no major side effects had shown up, and Bennett was even sleeping deep and hard. Two weeks down six more to go!
On Sunday morning, Lizzie rose from bed just as the sky was beginning to lighten. She loved getting up before the rest of the family and having a few quiet moments before starting breakfast. It was gratifying to have the aromas of bacon, coffee and biscuits bring them all to the table with no cajoling or resistance. Lizzie poured herself a cup of coffee and turned the sizzling bacon in the pan. Sawyer was the first to arrive at the table, followed by Dot, both still in their pajamas. Aunt Dorothy was next, but she was completely dressed and ready for church. Lizzie pulled the biscuits out of the oven and placed them in a basket on the table with butter and preserves.
Aunt Dorothy carefully spread butter on the steaming biscuit split on the plate in front of her. “Bennett not up yet?”
“He was still asleep when I got up. Not sure why he isn’t down yet.” Lizzie poured some milk for the kids.
“I’ll go get him,” Sawyer offered.
“No, I should go.” Lizzie rose from the chair she had just sat down in. “Don’t forget you are serving as an acolyte today, so make sure you pop in the shower as soon as you are done with breakfast.” Lizzie kissed Sawyer on the top of his head.
She climbed the stairs slowly. An irrational fear crept into her thoughts. What if he is lying dead up in our bed? She quickened her pace and then froze at the door of their bedroom. She stared at him still under the covers and almost cried out when she saw the gentle rise and fall of his breathing. Lizzie walked over and laid her hand on his shoulder. “Bennett, hey sleepy head, you are missing breakfast.”
Bennett awoke with a start. “Morning already? I am so tired.”
“Do you want me to bring you a plate up here, it’s about time to be getting ready for church.”
“I’m not really hungry. Give me a few minutes, and I’ll get dressed.” Bennett sat up against the padded headboard and yawned.
“Okay, I’m going to go get the kids moving and then I’ll be back up to get dressed.” Lizzie brushed her hand across Bennett’s chest. He picked it up and brought her fingers to his lips.
“Thanks, my lo
ve.”
Back in the kitchen, Lizzie found Dot cleaning up the dishes and Sawyer wrapping up the leftover biscuits. She glanced over at Aunt Dorothy and smiled. “I’ll have to learn the magic spell you used to make this happen.”
“Very funny, Mama!” Dot threw the dish towel across the kitchen at her.
“Alright, kiddos, time for you to go get cleaned up. Sawyer a shower means soap and water.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Sawyer and Dot headed up the stairs to comply.
Aunt Dorothy motioned for Lizzie to join her at the table. “Everything alright, child?”
“I’m not sure. Bennett said he wasn’t hungry, and he said he is tired. He went to bed at nine last night.”
“I think we might be seeing the beginning of the side effects.” Aunt Dorothy rose from her spot. “I think I might just say a few prayers before church.”
After Sunday school and church Bennett seemed back to normal. He ate a full plate of Sunday dinner and did maintenance work on the family’s bicycles before it was time to head to Amy and Scott’s.
Lizzie found Amy in the kitchen over a large pot of chili. “It smells wonderful! Can you believe how many days in a row of cold weather we’re going to have this week?”
Amy turned to greet her. “I know. Will you cut up the onions for the topping bar?”
“Sure.” Lizzie moved to the cutting board and began peeling the onions. “Are one of the boys picking up your parents?”
“No, Mama said she and Daddy wanted to attend some special dinner with their fellow residents tonight. Is Aunt Dorothy feeling alright?”
“Yes, she said she felt like hibernating with this cold, so we left her at home.” Lizzie began chopping the onions finely, and the inevitable tears trickled down her cheeks. “I sure wish they could grow an onion that doesn’t make me cry.”
“I thought I would drop dinner by on Wednesday; with the chemo starting this week I’m sure you will be a bit overwhelmed.”
