Roman sat Sophie in the tub and pressed a kiss to her temple before he left the bathroom. Kai got on her knees and helped Sophie get her top over her head. “I feel like a limp, wet noodle,” Sophie told her.
“You’re weak because you aren’t eating and you’re sick.” She placed her hand across her forehead. “You feel a little warm too.”
Sophie slid her bottoms down and handed them to Kai. She tossed them behind her with the top then Kai started the water. “Too hot?”
“No, it feels great,” Sophie groaned.
Kai sat back on her butt and let Sophie wash herself after she got the loofah and soap for her. She scrubbed herself slowly letting the bubbles wash over her skin.
“This was a good, idea,” Sophie moaned.
“I’m glad you think so,” Kai replied.
“You okay?”
Her friend made a snorting sound. “You’re worried about me?”
Sophie rolled to her side and laid her head on the side of the tub. Her eyes were heavy. “I am.”
“
Dunk under and get your hair wet. I’ll wash your hair for you.”
While Sophie did as she was told, Kai got on her knees and squirted the strawberry shampoo in her hand. She rubbed it over Sophie’s head. Thick strands came away in her palm. She tried to hide it behind the shampoo bottle. She rubbed her fingers through Sophie’s scalp to see if more came out, none did so she lathered her friend’s hair.
“Dunk under again.”
Sophie did as she was told, and Kai rinsed her hair. Then she stood up and grabbed a towel for Sophie out of the linen closet. Sophie was leaning against the tub with her eyes closed.
“Ready to get out?” Kai asked.
“Just a minute,” Sophie whispered. Her eyes remained closed. “This is the first time since I got my chemo that I haven’t been shivering.”
Kai sat on the toilet seat and waited for Sophie to be ready.
“I don’t want you to wear yourself out,” Sophie said. She hadn’t moved or opened her eyes. “I saw the hair. You can’t hide it from me.”
Kai was quiet for a few moments. “How long before it all falls out?”
Sophie sighed. “I have been told to take control of my cancer,” she said to Kai. “Shave it off before it starts to fall out completely.”
“Okay.”
Sophie opened her eyes. “It’s time, Kai. I don’t want to wait until it falls out and I’m patchy. Shave it off for me now.”
“Do you have clippers?” She asked, her voice trembling with every word.
“Josh has them under the sink.” Sophie sat up. “Would you grab my robe, please? It’s in the bedroom.”
“Sure, sweetie.”
Kai left her alone in the tub. Sophie leaned forward and let the water drain. As the temperature cooled in the bathroom, without the water to warm her, she began to shiver. She dried her arms and upper body with the towel that Kai had left on the toilet. When all the water was gone, she dried her legs.
“I’ve got it.”
“Josh still sleeping?” Sophie asked.
“Dead to the world.”