DISCLAIMER: QAF and its characters are the sole property of Showtime and Cowlip Productions; no copyright infringement is intended.
Standing on the sidewalk on Liberty Avenue Debbie's heart sank. She had just heard the words no one wants to hear come from someone that they love, 'I've got cancer'.
Brian Kinney faced the red-head as he broke the heartbreaking news to her.
Going into mother mode Debbie choked up and began fixing his coat to keep him warm, telling him to eat properly and so on before pulling him into a hug before she lost it completely.
She loved him with a mother's heart and it broke holding him in her arms. Now that cruel disease had hit him, hasn't the guy had enough bad luck already in his life.
Saying goodbye had been hard watching walk away knowing he was in pain. She did her best to keep the tears at bay, in case she met anyone on the way home because if they asked questions the dam just might burst. So she pasted on her Debbie smile until she was safe behind her closed front door.
Slowly she took off her coat and threw it on the chair along with her bag as she couldn't think, or decide what it was she was actually meant to do them normally.
Debbie sat heavily on the couch now with her face in her hands as she finally let herself weep for her precious child of her heart.
Weeping for the little boy that Brian still is inside and for what having cancer might mean for his future.
Growing up since she had known him, Brian was always the one doing things for others. Whether it was mowing the lawn for an elderly or disabled neighbour, shopping or walking the dogs for them, Brian would be the first to help and not ask for a thing in return.
The 'PODS' the were meant to his parents, who she wouldn't even call human, they didn't deserve a child, let alone one as wonderful as Brian. Try as they might they tried to break that boy's spirit, but thankfully they didn't succeed. He may have put up walls to protect his heart, but for those who know him, truly know him could see beyond that.
Looking at her family album of Michael and Brian with their smiling faces, she prayed that there would be more smiles to add in the future.
Brian had a hard road ahead but with her love and a mother's heart she was determined to help him through it.
The End