“Soup and grilled cheese. Thanks.”
Hatchet left and Matthew leaned closer to kiss her, and then asked, “Carlee, you OK?”
“Sure, just tired,” she replied.
“If you say so,” Matthew said, but still watched her somewhat cautiously.
~ ~ ~
Later, they came to take her for the brain scan and informed Andy and Matthew that she’d be away from her room about an hour-and-a-half, so the two men went to grab a bite of lunch.
“Your mom comes in on the flight at ten this evening. I’m kinda ready for her to be back.”
Matthew listened, and he smiled at Andy’s excitement for Geni’s return. “Me too. Carlee seemed kinda preoccupied; did you notice?” Matthew asked, finally.
“Yeah, a little. Probably just anxious about the scan, and I know she is ready to have that catheter out!” Andy replied.
“Yeah, probably,” he said, but still wondered.
When they returned to her room, Carlee was back, and Hatchet was there to remove the catheter, so they stepped back out of the room for a moment.
“Doc says it’s time for this to go,” Hatchet said.
“Yay!” Carlee responded.
“You shouldn’t feel any pain… maybe a little discomfort, and you should be able to pee on your own fairly soon,” she explained. When she was done, she opened the door to the room and invited Andy and Matthew to return.
“The hose is gone!” Carlee exclaimed with glee.
“Now what, Hatchet?” Andy asked using the nickname they all had become accustomed to using when referring to her.
“Well, if my timing is on, therapy should be coming in the door, right about… now!”
Ross, the therapist came in the room, “Up and at it!” he said with a big smile.
“Hunh?” Carlee looked at him, not understanding what he meant.
“We’re getting you up outta that bed. We’ll get you on your feet for a minute just to see how you feel, and then we’re putting you in a wheelchair to take a spin around this place and see something other than these four walls! Ready for it?”
“Heck yeah!” Carlee said in a happy voice. It had been a week since her surgery, and she was ready to get out of the bed.
With Matthew on one side and Ross on the other, they stretched her legs, finally, sitting her up on the side of the bed.
Ross put his arm around her back to help ease her up, and she shouted, “Wait!”
“What is it? Does something hurt?” Ross asked concerned.
“No, it’s not that. I can’t go wheeling down the hall like this!”
“Why not, Carlee?” Matthew asked, but he knew that face; nothing was wrong.
“I need panties on!”
Matthew got a pair from the drawer where he’d put her things and helped her put her feet through them. Ross eased her up, and Matthew finished getting her situated in them.
Finally standing, she squealed, “Now I’m ready to get the hell out of this room!”
Ross helped her take a few steps around the room. Unsteady, at first, she guided him to where Andy was sitting. She opened her arms, and he rose, wrapping her in his own.
“This is the best hug I’ve had in a while!” he told her.
Matthew was behind her pulling the gown to cover her bottom. “Good thing you remembered those panties. I sure wouldn’t want anyone else seeing that sweet thing,” he laughed, patting her backside.
They walked around the room and then Hatchet came in with a wheelchair.
“Can I push her?” Matthew asked.
“Sure, wheel her around the place! Take her to the solarium,” Hatchet suggested and Ross agreed.
“No getting out of that chair ‘til you come back here.”
“I’ll meet you at the solarium before I head out,” Andy said.
“Wait, before we go, what’s for dinner?” But before Hatchet replied Carlee added, “What about a pizza?”
“You’ve been eating pretty bland; don’t know as the belly is ready for that just yet,” Hatchet replied.
Matthew jumped right in and said, “Can we give it a try? She seems to be eating well. If she can’t handle it we’ll get her some mac and cheese.”
“OK, go slow and easy; don’t want you throwing up. No greasy meat – no pepperoni,” she told Carlee in a motherly voice as they started out the door.
Carlee motioned for Matthew to lean closer. “I want to make a stop, but I’m not sure where.”
“What do you mean?” Matthew asked.
“The little girl from radiation. I want to go see her.”
Matthew wheeled the chair to the nurse’s station to inquire. “What’s her name, Carlee?”
“Kyliejo. Smithson, I think.”
“222” the nurse said. “The mum’s there.”
“Thank you!”
Matthew started pushing her down the hall and with her right hand she reached to touch his left that rested on the chair handle. “Have I told you today how much I love you?”
“Not today, but before you do I gotta tell you how happy I am to see you out of that bed…”
“Oh, you’re just ready to get me home and into another bed,” she laughed seductively.
“You got that shit right,” Matthew laughed.
~ ~ ~
They came to the room the nurse had indicated as Kyliejo’s, and Matthew knocked lightly.
“Come in,” a woman’s voice replied.
As Matthew pushed the chair through the door, a girl’s happy voice shouted, “Carlee!”
“Hi! I hope you don’t mind us just stopping by. I’m finally out of the bed for the first time in a week, and I asked Matthew to bring me here. Kyliejo, this is my husband, Matthew.” He took the girl’s hand, kissed it, and she giggled.
The woman rose from her chair, “Johanna Smithson, Kyliejo’s mum.”
“It’s so nice to meet you! We won’t stay long. My papa is leaving in a bit, but I wanted to come say hello. Johanna, it’s a pleasure, and I’m sure we’ll see you again. Kyliejo, see you around!”
“Come back when you can!” the girl called out.
“I will!”
Chapter Nine
As they made their way to the solarium, Matthew noticed that Carlee was very quiet. “You feeling OK?”
“Mmm hmm.”
“What’s on your mind? You seem to be somewhere else.”
“Kyliejo.”
“She’s adorable…”
“She told me today this was her second time.”
“For?”
“Radiation,” Carlee replied.
“She can’t be more than ten.”
“She just turned eight,” Carlee replied. She remained quiet until they reached the solarium, where Andy waited.
“They’ll deliver the pizza here. Hatchet is getting some plates and napkins,” Andy said, as Matthew parked the wheelchair beside him and sat across from her. He wanted to see her as she gathered her thoughts.
“Papa, did I tell you about the little girl I met the day I got the tattoos for the radiation?”
He shook his head no. Carlee proceeded to tell them about her, expanding on the little she had shared with Matthew. When she got to the part where she was telling them about her going through this a second time, she started to cry.
They sat quietly for a moment, absorbing what Carlee had just shared. They all knew of the children they’d met from camp, and knew, no matter how much you think it won’t affect you, because it’s someone else’s loved one – it does affect you.
Andy thought of Carlee and what she was going through as an adult, someone’s wife now, and how he’d felt gutted just hearing the news. But with children, he thought, they’ve had no life, no chance to experience anything, really.
The pizza arrived, and Hatchet walked up at that moment with paper plates and napkins. “I’m fixin’ to beg off for a bit, needin’ a nap. Rena will be by later to help you back in the bed.”
“Hatchet, befo
re you go, join us for pizza.” She pulled a chair over to join them, and Carlee looked her way. “May I ask a question?”
When Carlee looked at her, Hatchet felt her heart melt. It wasn’t that happy face she’d grown accustomed to, and she wondered what was on her mind.
“Why sure, princess,” she said. “What’s on your mind? Something wrong?”
“Kyliejo Smithson,” Carlee replied
“I see. That’s a sad one. I didn’t have her care previously; she stayed in the children’s hospital, but this time her mum wanted her here - felt like she’d get better care here for some reason. She’s a beauty isn’t she?”
“She is. Can you tell me what’s ahead for her, without breaking any privacy rules.”
“Radiation, same as you, no chemo, no surgery. I believe the goal is just to try to keep it from growing. It’s not going away,” she said sadly.
“I know a little about this; what was her diagnosis?” Carlee asked.
Kyliejo’s is Ependymoma brain tumor. Four years ago, they removed a tumor, and she went through low dose radiation. This time, she came in on Saturday, a week after you, dehydrated, nauseous, weak, and she was having some balance problems. From what I hear, she was a sight; big dark circles under her eyes and very pale. I gather from word around the floor that the tumor appears to have returned. They don’t feel like surgery will stop it from coming back, so they are trying the radiation again, only with a higher dose this time. Couldn’t tell it by lookin’ at her, but she’s a sick little girl. The mum is alone.”
“She told me her dad’s name was Kyle; is he deceased?”
“I think the mum wishes so,” Hatchet said. “I guess he couldn’t handle it the first go-through with this, and he left them.”
“So,” Carlee began and paused, “prognosis?”
“From what I know, people with these cancers live five to ten years after diagnosis.”
“But…”
“I know, princess. I know. We’re focusing on quality of life with the quantity she is allowed.”
As she said the words, Andy heard Beth’s voice say it’s all about quality not quantity for me.
“The mum’s the one with the long haul. The bills are piling up. Some of the staff looks in on her without billing them, but they’re probably looking at over 2,500 pounds a month. The dad’s insurance pays a good portion, but mum feels overwhelmed.” She rose from the chair and turned back, “Don’t you be fretting about her. She’s happy, Carlee. Just be her friend, and that ups the quality factor. Don’t feel sorry for her. I’m going home for a bit. I’ll see you for coffee. Thanks for the pizza. Good night all.”
They sat quietly after she left. After a while, Andy was the first to speak. “Eight years is the blink of an eye…”
“I know there is no answer, but why?” Carlee asked to no one in particular.
~ ~ ~
Andy met Geni at the airport at nine that evening and realized when he saw her how much he’d really missed her. She had checked her bags, so all she carried was a tote bag and her purse. As she made her way closer, Andy grabbed the tote, sat it on the floor, and wrapped her in his arms.
Geni closed her eyes, thinking of his touch, the words he’d said to her the night before, and the feeling of being in his arms at that moment. She heard him say, “soon” again, only she realized that he had whispered it in her ear; it wasn’t the memory of the other evening. He turned her toward him for a kiss, and she melted into his arms.
“Andy,” she whispered his name.
“I can’t wait too much longer,” he laughed. “Let’s go.” He took her tote in one hand and her hand in his other, and they went to retrieve her bags.
~ ~ ~
In the car, he filled her in on the last few days. They had talked while she was gone, but this was a more-detailed conversation.
“She may get to go home by the weekend,” he said with a smile. “Which brings me to another thought; I started exploring some, but I haven’t mentioned it. I wanted to get your thoughts.”
“Shoot,” she said.
“I’ve had way too much time to think, and I’m concerned about the long-haul for us. I don’t want to be under their feet as they try to adjust to the changes for them, and I know they will need their privacy. I looked around, and there’s a flat in the next building down from them for sale. We’d have to round up a few things to make it livable, but it’d be there for us. Especially now, to be close for whatever they need,” he said. “It’d be a good investment; the price is good, and it’d be there whenever we come over in the future, or for Thomas or Brian if they wanted to use it if we weren’t here.”
We… Us… She thought a minute, her mind racing. “Andy Stevens, are you asking me to shack up with you?”
“It’s more convenient than White’s; we’ll have to stay there for a bit, and probably cheaper in the long run. We’d be close to help them out, wouldn’t be in their space…” he mumbled. He looked at her and smiled. “Yeah, in a round-about, chicken-shit way, I guess I am.”
She started to laugh. “Who knew at sixty-seven I’d be thinking about moving in with some hottie!”
“Who’s just turned sixty-eight,” he added. “So you’ll think about it?” he asked as he patted her knee.
“Yes,” she said.
~ ~ ~
It was late, and they went straight to the flat. After they had a bite to eat, Geni called Matthew.
“I’m baaaaack,” she laughed.
“You were missed,” Matthew said. “Get some rest, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“You’re staying there?” she asked.
“Yes, Mom,” he said with a smile in his voice. “I just can’t leave.”
When they crawled in the bed, Andy wrapped her in his arms, pulling her to him. “Not here, not now, but soon,” he whispered as he nuzzled her neck, leaving a trail of kisses as he found her lips. “Soon.”
~ ~ ~
Friday morning as Andy and Geni were about to enter Carlee’s room, his phone rang. He looked at the display and saw it was Nathan. “Hey, what’s up, my friend?” He motioned for Geni to go ahead and stuck his head in, blowing Carlee kisses, motioning to the phone.
~ ~ ~
Geni found Matthew sitting in the bed with Carlee, his legs stretched out, holding her hand as they watched a morning news program on the TV. Geni knew he’d slept there in the bed with her. Carlee was sitting up, and she looked good. The bandage on her head was gone, and she had a pajama top on and no IV’s. Her color looked good. She just looks bright, she thought and almost cried.
“I missed you,” she said as Geni hugged her. Matthew rose to hug his mom.
“You look great!” Geni told Carlee. “You, young man, look like you need some rest.”
“Yes I know, Brian already called and said you sicced him on me,” he laughed.
“I keep telling him I’m fine and that he needs to go home, but he won’t stay there; he leaves, showers, naps, and comes right back,” Carlee said, but Geni noticed a glow about her face as she said the words. And she didn’t miss the squeeze Matthew gave her hand.
“And Geni,” she whispered, motioning her close. “I have panties on now!”
They both roared with laughter. She truly had come a long way in a short time.
~ ~ ~
“What’s up?” Andy asked Nathan.
“Calling to check in on Carlee,” he replied, “and then I’ve got something to run by you.”
“She’s doing great - maybe getting to go home this weekend; we’re all hopeful. She is ready to get the hell out of here; it’s been two long weeks. How’re things there? Marco keeps me posted, and Roddy called the other day but other than that, it’s pretty much calls with the family.”
“Everything here is great! I’d like to talk to Carlee before we hang up, but I wanted to run something by you. Roddy called and told me that he called you to mention this, but then decided not to.”
“What is it?”
“T
he Cancer Foundation, PRI, and Making Miracles Happen are lining up a benefit concert for a young cancer patient in Minnesota. Her name is Shawn Davies; she’s nine with stage-four bone cancer, and her dream has always been to go to a rock and roll concert. She likes classic rock and roll - it’s what she grew up with - so when The Cancer Foundation and Making Miracles Happen contacted PRI, they decided to make it big! They already have a couple of big headliners lined up and will be doing a show in St. Paul that she will attend, as well as one in L.A., and one in New York City. With all the response they got when they put the word out, they decided they’re going to televise it as a telethon to fund MMH and the Cancer Foundation. They want Traveler to participate. Thoughts?”
“Can’t do it; I can’t leave here until I know everything is OK.”
“I knew that, so I had an idea - you up for Roddy finding a venue that Carlee could attend? We can do a live feed and perform somewhere in London? I already talked to the rest of the guys; they’ll do it over there if you will.”
“Well, I guess my brain is so tuned in to what’s going on with Carlee that I hadn’t even considered that as a possibility as you were telling me about it. Yeah,” he said, “explore and let me know what you come up with. I’m not gonna tell Carlee until we have a plan.”
They talked a while longer, and finally Andy went into Carlee’s room. “It’s Nathan; he wants to talk to you and then Dina wants a turn.”
~ ~ ~
They spent the morning together talking, and finally Geni and Andy told them they needed to leave to run a few errands, explaining that they would go out to pick up lunch, but really, they were meeting the real estate person to see the flat.
“Geni, wait. Can you do something for me while you’re out?”
“Anything, what is it?”
She took Matthew’s tablet and opened the screen to where she’d last explored. Turning it so Geni could see, she showed her some bright yellow pajamas. There were white daisies across the chest with the word HOPE spelled out, similar to the pink ones Kyliejo had on when she was waiting with her in the radiation area.
Feel Like Makin' Love (Rock and Roll Trilogy #3) Page 13
