LIFE Interrupted

“Sophie, you’re being ridiculous.”

She fumbled with the edge of the blankets. Playing with them nervously. “The statistics are stacked against them, you know that right. Heath and Hannah…”

“Had a condom break,” Kai interrupted her. “They weren’t like us. They were out of college. Already engaged by the skin of their teeth,” Kai laughed. “Half the time, Ben and I didn’t use a condom. I’m surprised I didn’t get pregnant before I did.”

“Yeah, we used the pull-out method so effectively.” Sophie rolled her eyes.

“We got Heath,” Josh teased her.

“We did,” Sophie agreed. She smiled at her husband. She loved her children and the family that they had created. Honestly, she missed the kids. The house was quiet without them. She and Josh were adjusting to it just being them.

“Would you change anything Sophie?” He asked.

She shook her head no. “I can’t say that I would.”

“Then stop talking about it. Let it go. Let the kids live their lives and if it happens to Ally, like Heath and Hannah we support her like we have them.” Josh got up and headed to the bedroom door. “I’m going to visit with our guests before they start to wonder where we’ve disappeared to.”

When Josh shut the door, Kai perched on the edge of the bed. “What clothes can I get you to put on?”

“Hello Kitty,” Sophie declared. Kai got up and Sophie laughed. “I’m just kidding. They would make fun of me.”

“Soph at this stage in your life, with what you’re going through if you want to wear Hello Kitty, wear the Hello Kitty.”

She nodded. “I just want to be comfortable. I feel like I’m not comfortable in my skin right now.”

Kai went to the drawer and found a pair of soft, fuzzy, purple pants. “How about these?”

“Love them, they’re perfect.”

“Why don’t you feel comfortable?” Kai asked.

Sophie changed into the pants and waited for Kai to bring her a long-sleeved, white knit top. She put that on. Then Kai sat beside her on the bed while Sophie tried to explain herself.

“There’s this disease in me that is taking over my body. I want it out. Now, like tomorrow please.” Her eyes met Kai’s. “I worry I won’t be here to see my life happen and I’m scared of what all I will miss.”

Kai put her arm around Sophie. “I’m not letting you go, stop worrying.”

“What if you have no choice? It’s not in your control.”

“Did the doctor tell you something you aren’t telling me?” Kai asked.

Sophie shook her head. “I’m Stage II, ER/PR positive.”

“I don’t even know what that means but is sounds scary as hell.” Kai sighed, her frustration level as high as Sophie’s.

“Let’s go out with the others and I’ll explain.” They stood together, and Kai took Sophie’s hand. “Hey, did you have your ultrasound?”

“We did.”

Sophie opened the door. “Do you know what you are having.” Kai nodded. “Care to share with me?”

“How about we announce it at the table with everyone?” Kai suggested.

“Some good news to go with my treatment plan, that will make everyone feel better. Should I go first then?”

“Whatever you want?”

Her mother hugged her as soon as they reached the dining room where everyone was waiting on them, pizza boxes piled up in the center of the table. Kai took her seat while Sophie made the rounds. She hugged her brother next. It felt like she was dying, like they all believed that she couldn’t beat this disease.