unwrapped her sandwich and took a bite. He did the same, and they sat in silence for a while. The only sound other families chatting while they waited for news and a talk show on the television in the corner.
After eating their late lunch, Will gathered the trash and threw it out in the receptacle. Tori returned to her book, so he checked his email on his phone and waited for word on his mom.
A doctor in blue-green scrubs entered the room. “Stone family?”
About time. Will and Tori stood and held hands as the doctor approached. “Why don’t we step into the privacy room?”
Uh oh. That couldn’t be good.
They followed her into the room. Tori sat on the bench while he remained standing. He could take whatever news it was. He could be strong. For his mom. For Tori.
For himself.
“I’m Dr. Westphal, and I’ve been supervising your mom’s care since they brought her in.” She consulted her tablet. “She arrived in the emergency room exhibiting pain and a possible bone fracture.”
Will frowned. “She broke something? It’s not her heart? I mean, we assumed...”
Dr. Westphal looked up at him. “The more persistent problem right now is her fractured hip. We need to get her into surgery.”
“You bet. I’ll sign whatever form you need me to.”
“Mrs. Stone has already given her consent and will go into surgery to repair the fracture shortly after you see her.” Dr. Westphal sighed. “But the problem is after surgery.” She looked up from the tablet at first Will, then Tori. “She’ll be in the hospital for a few days but then will need long term care. Physical therapy. Possibly a hip replacement. And when she’s stronger, chemotherapy.”
Will lost the strength of his legs and sat next to Tori. No. Not this.”Cancer then.”
“We’re still running tests, but it appears the cancer is attacking her bones. Making them brittle and fragile.” Dr. Westphal took a seat in front of them. “A simple fall should not break bones, even in a woman your mother’s age.”
Tori started to cry softly beside him. He held her hand and squeezed. Their mom had cancer.
He closed his eyes to keep the panic from invading his mind. When he opened them, he gave a short nod. “How bad is it? I mean, how long...”
The doctor shrugged. “We won’t know any answers until more tests can be run. Let’s focus on repairing the hip first.”
Will nodded again. “We can see her?”
The doctor stood. “I’ll take you to her.”
As they followed the doctor down the white, sterile hallway, Will turned to Tori. “No tears in front of mom. She needs our strength right now.”
Tori nodded and wiped her face. “I know the drill.”
Dr. Westphal led them through a maze of hospital beds and curtained off areas. Eventually she pushed a curtain aside to reveal his mom hooked up to monitors and an IV. She looked tiny in the huge bed. Fragile. Lost. She opened her eyes and gave them a smile. “My babies.”
The doctor left them, pulling the curtain closed behind her. Will moved to his mom’s side and took her hand. His emotions were pressing on him, but he’d deal with them later. “Are you in any pain?”
Eva shook her head and pointed to the IV. “They’re giving me the good stuff.” She pointed to the end of her bed. “Let’s talk.”
“They need to take you to surgery.”
“They will.” She pointed at the bed again. “I want to spend time with you before they take me away. Now sit.”
Tori took a seat on one side of her. Afraid to jostle his mom and cause pain, Will stood beside her and held her hand. Besides, he could control himself standing. Be a good soldier like his dad and the Marines had trained him. He tensed his muscles, ready for whatever followed.
His mom’s expression softened. “The doctor told you, didn’t she? She asked if she could, and I said yes, but I’d hoped—”
“We’ll fight this, Mom. I’ll get the best doctors. Specialists.” Emotion threatened to close his throat, and he swallowed it right away. “Stones don’t go down without a fight.”
His mom nodded. “Or they die trying.”
Tori started crying, holding their mom’s hand to her cheek. Will kept swallowing, unable to say anything. Unable to offer anything. Finally, his mom gave a soft smile. “Sorry. I didn’t mean it like that.”
Will cleared his throat. “It’s okay, Mom.”
A nurse pulled the curtain open. “They’re ready for you, Mrs. Stone.” She turned to Will. “I can escort you to the surgical waiting room.”
Tori leaned over and kissed her mom on the cheek. “Lovey.”
“Lovey.”
Will kissed his mom and rested his forehead on hers. “Lovey.”
“Lovey.” She patted his cheek. “Everything is going to be fine. I promise.”
Fine. Right.
A team of nurses surrounded his mom’s hospital bed then wheeled her away. The first nurse led them to a different waiting room than before, but it looked much the same. “Surgery should be about two hours. Dr. Westphal will keep you updated.”
Will sighed as he took a seat near the window. Tori fished in her purse for her cell phone. “I’ll just call Teresa and tell her I’ll be late.”
She stepped away, leaving Will with his thoughts.
His mom had cancer. Life wasn’t ever going to be the same after today. No matter what they needed to do to fight this, they’d do it. If she needed chemo, bone marrow transplant, whatever, she would get it. She had to get better because their family didn’t work without her in it. She was their center.
He stood and resumed his pacing. How was he supposed to move on from this? Would they survive? He glanced at his phone. He should call Joanie and Carol. They had a right to know even if they didn’t choose to be involved. He started to dial the first number.
* * *
SUZY PARKED HER bright yellow VW bug in front of the animal rescue shelter. She must have been a good girl that day to get such a prime parking spot. Despite her intention to arrive early, she would only have enough time to drop off the kittens and then hurry to work before she was late. Again.
She hooked her arm through the Easter basket and carried it with her to the front door. The receptionist Thoramae spotted her and rushed to open the door for her. “Hey, Suzy. More critters for us?” The older woman with tight permed curls peeked into the basket and smiled. “Aren’t they the cutest fur balls?”
“They just need some TLC.” Suzy squeezed past Thoramae. “Is Presley in her office?”
“You bet. Can’t get her to leave.” Thoramae returned to her spot behind the reception desk. “She’s been asking for you.”
“Thanks.” Suzy looked down into her basket. Two of the kittens slept while the third licked its paw. “You’re gonna love Pres. She’ll help you get big and strong.”
Presley sat at her desk and looked up when Suzy walked in. “I’d ask if you always talk to yourself, but I know the answer to that one.” She came around the desk and gave Suzy a hug. “How are you doing today?”
“Fine.” Suzy avoided her friend’s eyes and placed the basket on Presley’s desk. “Tell me you can help these guys.” Presley picked one of the kittens and held him up. “He’s awfully scrawny. Good thing you found them when you did. Temperatures are supposed to fall over the weekend. They could have frozen out