The Wife Win

The surgeon gives a thin smile. “Not always, but in this case, since the radiation will be concentrated around the head, it’s likely she’ll experience some alopecia.”

I sigh, thinking of my sister’s beautiful, thick, dark head of hair. She’s cut it over the years, but has always worn it long. Maybe I’ll look into some wigs for her to wear. Jade loves wigs and knows where to find the good ones.

“Okay, then. But what about the tumor? Is it malignant?”

The surgeon clasps his hands together, ducking his chin down for a moment. “We won’t know until the biopsy results are received. It normally takes a week. Sometimes longer.”

I let out a piercing shriek. “What? Fucking hell. How do we just suspend our lives waiting for that type of news?”

He nods in understanding. Logically, I know it’s not his fault. It’s how these things go. But he’s my punching bag at the moment and the only one here to take it.

“I know it’s difficult, Miss Conrad. That’s why we start on the radiation as soon as we can, so we don’t miss our window of opportunity.”

I clutch the bottom hem of my shirt in my fists, grasping for some hope. Something to cling onto that is solid and sure.

Can’t I have a little of that certainty in my life? Don’t I deserve at least that?

Don’t Holly and Hazel deserve to have a healthy mother with them, especially after their deadbeat dad took off when they were barely old enough to talk.

And doesn’t Hannah deserve to live a long and happy life without having to go through all this pain, struggle, and heartbreak?

It makes me even more resolved now knowing what must be done.

Radiation is going to cost a shit ton of money, most of which isn’t covered by her meager insurance. We were still trying to figure out how to pay for the cost of this surgery and the hospital stay.

My only move is to ensure I make the most out of this upcoming trip with the Pilots and my exclusive with Marek. It’s a make it or break it proposition. I can’t afford to lose. I need to get a foot in the Seattle sports market to increase my earning potential.

Thank God things are already in motion to make that happen.