Clara had been back to school for a few months. She liked the psychology courses she was taking. Today she and the rest of her sorority sisters were spending time at the children's hospital. Everyone was assigned to a child for one hour. A nurse took Clara to the pediatric cancer ward. They went into a room. A little girl, who looked to be about six was sitting in a chair. She was very pale and had a bandana on.
"Susan." The nurse said. "This is Clara." "She's going to spend some time with you today." "I'll be back in an hour." She left.
"Hi." Clara said.
"Hi."
"How are you today?"
"Today's actually a good day." "I've had worse."
"I'm glad you're having a good day."
"Are you a candy striper?"
"No."
"I didn't think so." "You don't have on the uniform."
"I'm volunteering here today with my sorority sisters."
"You're in college?"
"Yes." "I go to the University Of Michigan."
"Are you graduating soon?"
"No." "I just started my second year." "I have two more to go."
"I hope I go to college one day." "I have Leukemia."
"Really?"
"Yeah, the chemo treatments are kind of tough but they help."
"That's good."
"The doctors are really nice."
"My boyfriend wants to be a doctor."
"What's his name?"
"Ben." "Wanna see a picture?"
"Yeah." Clara took out her cell phone and showed her a picture. "He's cute."
"That's what I thought when I first saw him." "Wanna play a game?"
"Yeah."
Later that night Clara went to Ben's room. She was telling him about Susan.
"She was just the cutest thing." Clara said.
"She sounds like it." They got in bed. "I'm so tired."
"Me to." "We both had a busy day."
"You know, I bet we'll make beautiful babies together one day."
"How many babies do you want?"
"Well I come from a big family, so I'd like to keep the tradition going."
"We have plenty of time to talk about that." They kissed.
"I love you babe."
"I love you too."
The next morning at Princeton Tricia was awakened by her cell phone ringing. She sat up using the sheet to cover herself but couldn't find the phone.
"Where the fuck is it?" She whispered.
"Over here in your jeans." Clay said tiredly.
"Can you hand it to me?"
"Yeah." He sat up and got it. By the time he handed it to her it stopped ringing.
"I'm sorry."
"It's fine." They kissed.
A noise went off that indicated Tricia had a voicemail. "Hold on." She listened to the voicemail. "What the hell?" She said confused.
"What's wrong?"
"That was a detective from the police department." "He wants to talk to me about my mom and stepdad."
"Huh?"
They got up and dressed. Clay walked her to the door.
"I'll see you later." She said.
"Ok." "Call me when you know anything."
"I will."
"I love you."
"I love you too." They kissed.
Two days had passed. Clay hadn't heard from Tricia. He was in his room doing homework. His cell phone started to ring.
"Hello?" He said.
"Hi." Tricia said.
"Where have you been I've been so worried."
"Can you come over?" "We need to talk."
"I'll be right there."
Ten minutes later there was a knock at Tricia's door. She answered.
"Hey." He went in.
He noticed her bags were packed. "What's going on Tricia?"
"Well my mom and stepdad apparently had a meth lab in the basement " "They were raided and got busted." "They're both gonna get at least five years in prison." "They paid my room and board and half my tuition." "I have to leave school."
"Where are you going?"
"To stay with some cousins of my dad's." "My real dad." "They live in Missouri." "I've never met them."
"Are you ok?"
"No." He hugged her. "I asked you here to say goodbye."
"Goodbye?" "What do you mean?"
"I'm leaving."
"That doesn't mean we have to break up."
"I saw what the long distance thing did with you and Clara." "I don't want that to happen to us."
"Please don't do this." "I love you."
"I know." "You're the only one who has ever loved me my whole life." She said with tears coming down her cheeks. She kissed him. "I'll never forget you." She picked up her bags. "Bye."
"Bye." She left. He stood there in disbelief.
