Only Caleb and Linda visited for the first week which was fine. They told her how the shop was going and kept her entertained. They brought her movies and books, and stayed for as long as they could – usually till a nurse hunted them out.
When Hayley had been in there nearly two weeks, a smiley Mia came bearing food. She was a welcome sight. Not that she didn't appreciate Caleb and Linda coming, it was just nice to see someone else. And someone who could tell her about Vince because Caleb and Linda just tried to distract her from him – which didn't work all the time.
"Hey Hayls, how ya feeling?"
Her health was improving slowly each day while her heart was crumbling and sinking each moment.
"Not too bad," she told her as Mia placed the bag of food on the small moveable side table. "How's everyone at the Toretto's?"
"We're all fine, except for Vince. He's been mopey and angry. He keeps picking fights and then walks away without a word. Do you know what's going on? Did something happen with you two?"
"I thought Vincent would've told you," Hayley admitted, and going by Mia's face, it wasn't good.
"Told us what? What's going on Hayley?"
"We broke up,"
It was hard to say those words and while Mia wasn't the first person she told, it was still hard to say that Vince didn't want her. She knew it was more then the lying about her health that had him leaving. The problem was, she didn't have a clue what else there was.
"What? Why?"
From the way Mia was looking, it was a complete surprise. Mia, like Hayley, had thought they had been going really well but obviously something had gone wrong.
"I don't know really. I didn't tell him I was sick but then I didn't believe I was sick till this trip to hospital,"
Mia nodded and said, "I think I know why you two broke up,"
Hayley sat up in the bed a little straighter. She wanted to know exactly what Mia knew. Mia settled in the chair by the bed and sighed as she was about to reopen some old wounds. She would be okay, but it still would hurt to think about it.
"How much of our history do you know?"
"Not much, Vince didn't really say much. We didn't really talk much about our history,"
Mia seemed to expect this answer.
"Vince was raised with us, just down the street from us. He and Dom have always been best friends. Vince was a foster child and his foster parents were good friends with mine. We all grew up together, went to the same school, had the same friends. You know how they were in school, inseparable. So when my ma got sick it really affected all us,"
Hayley only knew of what happened to Anthony Toretto and the crash in detail. Of course, the whole school, at the time, had speculated about what happened to Mrs Toretto. No one really knew and anyone involved with the Toretto's had been kept tight lipped. Even Linda who had been one of the largest gossips in school, didn't know the truth about Mrs Toretto.
"My ma had breast cancer which she beat when we were really little. We later found out that one of the cancer cells remained active and formed in her brain, creating a tumour."
Hayley wanted to say she was sorry but knew that Mia was focusing on the retelling so she stayed silent.
"They didn't find it in time and we were forced to watch her fade in front of us. We were all old enough to know what was happening and that we couldn't do anything to help, We were all affected but it, it was our mum. But for Vince it was like seeing his second home, his second mum get taken away by an unknown demon… Then she was gone and we all struggled to recover,"
"Did she pass away at the hospital?"
"No, at home in the spare room. She didn't want dad to sleep in the bed she died in. She stayed in hospital a lot and Vince, I think blames the hospital for her dying. It easier to blame someone for not helping then something you can't see,"
Neither girl said anything straight away – Mia trying to gather herself and Hayley trying to work out what to say.
"He probably thought I was going to die," Hayley said after a moment.
"Hayls, you were walking from the table to inside when you just collapsed. We couldn't wake you and I don't think I've ever felt the same terror of someone dying like my mum until I saw you on the ground unresponsive,"
"I'm sorry. I've really hurt a lot of people,"
"You know, you're still our family. You're still my friend even if you and Vince aren't together,"
"I know and as much as I love you all, I have to focus purely on recovery and really come to grips with my condition. I have to get myself better and then work on apologizing to everyone. Once I'm good, then maybe we can hang out?"
"However long you need. We're here if you need us," Mia answered, with a slight nod.
"Thanks Mia,"
Mia left soon after leaving Hayley stewing on her words. It was just what she needed to be thinking about on the day of her first therapy session. Aside from regular appointments with a nutritionist, Hayley now had two therapy sessions a week. It was meant to help her come to terms with her condition. She knew it would help to talk to someone who would be unbiased and would be able to help; it was just odd for Hayley to talk to a stranger about people or things this person didn't even know.
Hayley had a basic idea of what she would talk to the therapist about. She knew that she would be talking about her condition but she gathered that she would be talking about her family and relationships. Hayley knew that the therapist would want to know about Vince and at the moment, every time she thought of Vince, she felt like her heart was crumbling inside her.
Hayley really cared for Vincent and had had a wonderful time with him. He had been real and honest and he had really seen her, not another dancer from her mum's clubs. And yes maybe she did love him. But he had meant it very clear that he would never come near her again. At least Mia and maybe even Letty would still be there for her. And she had Caleb and Linda.
"Hayley, are you ready to see your therapist?" a young nurse, Myra, asked coming into her room.
"Sure," she said as Myra helped her out of bed. "Totally pumped,"
Myra laughed and helped Hayley into the wheelchair. Apparently the therapist came to the hospital and Hayley found it odd that this person had made a special trip. Myra wheeled her down the hallways to a conference room, making small chat. The doors were opened and Hayley was wheeled inside where a young woman was waiting.
"Thank you Myra," the therapist said.
Myra smiled and left the two alone.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Hayley. I'm Doctor Marissa Hewitt but call me Marissa,"
"Okay,"
Marissa didn't look exactly like a therapist. She was blonde, had large brown eyes with glasses, and fair skin. She had stylish clothing on and seemed friendly, and the type that really wanted to help. Hayley couldn't tell exactly her height as Marissa was sitting down.
"I know you don't really want to be here and I understand that. I'm just here for you to talk to someone and to work through any problems or concerns you have,"
Hayley didn't say anything and neither did Marissa.
"How does this work?" Hayley asked after several moments of silence, getting the idea that they would sit there in silence if Hayley didn't say anything.
"I can ask you questions or you can just talk,"
"Ask away," Hayley told her, not wanting to really talk at all but she would answer any questions.
"Okay, why don't we start with your family?"
Hayley sighed, rolled her eyes slightly and started telling her about her mother, father and siblings…
Second Chances
For Hayley, an hour talking about her family nearly sent her to tears (of frustration, anger, hurt, and disappointment). Answering questions about her mum and the family business – doctor patient confidentiality – had brought up old feelings.
"Hayley, I would like to keep talking if you feel up to it," Marissa said, noting a slight tiredness. At Hayley's nod, Marissa continued, "We have talked a lot about your family but not much about when you were first diagnosed."
"We can talk if you want,"
"Okay, so how old were when you first found out that you were anemic?"
"Fourteen but my mum said it was all in my head. I had a really bad period and she said it was normal. She believed that the medication wouldn't work and that it was my fault. My dad got the meds and gave them to me secretly,"
"Did you believe that you were sick?"
"No,"
"Have you ever thought you were sick?"
"No,"
"But you do now?"
"Yes,"
Hayley could see that Marissa wasn't getting what she wanted. It was almost amusing.
"You had a lot of visitors last week, are they your friends?"
"Yes,"
"Including a boyfriend?"
"Not anymore, we broke up."
Marissa nodded and wrote something down. Hayley forced herself not to watch Marissa write.
"Do you know why?"
"Yes; it was something I did,"
Marissa hummed.
"So you've broken up with your boyfriend, and your health is an issue. Your family is highly disapproving and your friends can be judgey. You have a lot going on,"
"I know,"
"Hayley, with everything being said and done, how do you feel?"
Hayley sighed.
"Mixed emotions, can I go now? I'm getting tired."
Marissa nodded and stood up. Marissa pushed Hayley back to her room.
"I'll see you in a few days,"
"Okay,"
Marissa called a nurse who helped Hayley back into the wheelchair and pushed her back to her room. Hayley was helped back into bed and left alone; letting her settle back into bed. Hayley had a lot to think about. Not only did she have to overcome her mentality of her condition but what her mum really did. She sighed and closed her eyes. Her brain hurt…
Second Chances
Author's Note: The third upload of the week! Look at me So here's the next chapter. Please keep in mind that this is meant to be short (I'm trying to stick to it.) It is going to be shorter then my other stories. Probably less than 15 chapters though at this point, I'm not so sure. Let me know what you think. xoxo
