They all shouted survivor and smiled for him. The camera clicked several times then Deandra hugged Sophie and Amy. “Another year girls. Another year we are alive. Thank the good Lord above.”
“Yes ma’am,” Amy replied. “We’re going to try to get pregnant right away if that doesn’t work, we’re going to try IVF with my frozen eggs,” she told them.
Deandra hugged the younger woman hard. “I’ll be praying for you honey.”
“Thank you,” Amy told her.
“Hannah looks about ready to pop,” Deandra told Sophie.
“I know I think she and Claire are due at about the same time.”
They helped Deandra back to her chair then she grasped Sophie’s hand. “What is it?”
“You know you helped me as much as I helped you,” Deandra declared.
“I did.” Sophie was puzzled by this statement. “How?”
Deandra nodded. “Doctor Roberts didn’t give me a lot of hope. I was stage three, it had metastasized to the bone. Our prayers and talks during chemo helped me to remain positive. I looked forward to seeing you. Talking to you on the phone.”
Sophie hugged her. “I looked forward to those things too, Deandra.” Then she stepped back and took her hand in hers.
“Now look at me.” Deandra squeezed Sophie’s hand. “She didn’t think it was possible but five years later, here I am. Too stubborn to die.”
Sophie released her. “We still need you,” she whispered to Deandra.
“Ladies, we need to get to the start line,” Will informed them breaking up the emotional moment.
“Let’s go,” Deandra said wiping her eyes.
Team Deandra, Team Sophie and Team Amy were all mixed together when they got to the start line. They were doing the one-mile walk. Sophie held Deandra’s hand. She glanced over her shoulder seeking out her friends, Kai and Micki like she always did. They smiled at her. Then she saw Josh, he was walking by Roman. Both men winked at her. She sought Amy who was holding her fiancé’s hand. She was content.
“Ladies and gentlemen, are you ready?” One of the DJ’s from a local radio station shouted into a microphone. He was starting the race for them.
Everyone shouted, “Ready.” The roar of their voices filled the air, creating excitement.
“Let’s start the tenth annual Race for Breast Cancer. Runners to the right. Walkers to the left. Go.”
Will pushed at a pace that was comfortable for Sophie to walk. Her legs still bothered her from time to time. Deandra squeezed her hand and glanced up at her friend; checking to be sure she was okay. Sophie smiled.
“I got that jar you sent me five years ago when your store opened,” Deandra told her.
“Yeah?”
“I think I’ve filled it up with all my dreams and fears. I need another one,” Deandra teased her.
Sophie laughed so hard she thought she might pee her pants. “Well then I know what to get you for Christmas, don’t I?”
“You certainly do.”
The End