The orderlies were later than Dr. Stanton's prediction, coming for Monica about two hours after she woke up. The next time the angel came back to the room, she had a small bit of tubing sticking out from her body. It could hardly be seen, and it didn't hurt, which was a welcome change from the last time she was in the OR. She was also pleased to find out that she wasn't getting pricked with needles every time the nurses needed to give her medications or take blood. They just inserted the needle into the catheter and they had access to her veins.
Andrew and Tess showed up a little while after Kayla had left for her treatment, and greeted Monica with hugs and warm words. As the young angel hugged Andrew, she noticed that he only used one arm. The other was wound behind his back, obviously trying to conceal something from her view. "What's that?" She asked him.
Andrew looked at the gift bag in his hand like a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar. "It's just something I picked up yesterday, I thought you might like it."
He handed her the silver gift bag and watched as she removed the black leather book from the tissue wrappings. It was a nice journal, complete with a ribbon tie and a pen. "It's wonderful, Andrew, thank you."
Andrew shrugged. "Yeah, well we thought that since you're not going to be able to talk twenty-four seven while you're in here, that this was the next best thing." Monica gave her best 'Tess look' to Andrew, but her eyes were smiling.
"How are you feeling, baby," Tess asked her.
"Actually, I feel fine," Monica replied. "Other than being tired, I really don't feel sick at all." The young angel's face lit up, "Oh, and guess who my roommate is!"
"We heard," Tess said. "Have you two had any time to talk?"
"Some. She's a second grade teacher, and she seems like a really lovely person."
As the three angels continued chatting, a nurse that Monica had not seen before came into the room. She was petite, with dark, curly hair styled close to her head, and an air of country friendliness. "Hi, I'm Vicky. I'll be here during the days." She shook hands with Tess and Andrew, and then turned to her patient. "How are you doin?" She asked Monica, her voice warmed by a slight southern accent. "Any pain or anythin?" Monica answered the nurse's questions, and watched absently as the nurse took her vital signs, noting each one carefully the angel's chart. She checked Monica's line, and then made another note in the chart before closing it. "Well, that's all I need for now, but if you need anythin, just use your call button." Monica nodded her thanks as Vicky left the room.
The three angels chatted for a while longer until they saw Kayla being wheeled into the room by an orderly. The young man helped her from the wheelchair to her bed, and then Kayla turned to Monica, speaking for the first time since she had entered the room. "I hate chemo. I always feel like I got run over by a truck afterwards," She told her roommate with a half chuckle.
Monica wrinkled her nose, "Sounds like I have a lot to look forward to." She gestured to Andrew and Tess. "Kayla, I want you to meet my two best friends, Andrew and Tess."
"Hello baby," Tess said, "I'm glad to meet you."
"Likewise," Kayla replied.
"Monica tells me you're a teacher," Andrew said, "How long have you been doing that?"
"Only about five years. But, I can already tell that it's what I'm meant to do with my life…" she looked pensive, "However long that may be."
The angels exchanged glances, and then Tess stood up. "Well, we'd love to stay and chat all night, but I think they're gonna throw us out of here before too long." She bent down and hugged Monica, "We'll see you later, baby. It was wonderful meeting you, Kayla."
"Same here. I'll see you later."
Andrew also hugged Monica and said goodbye to Kayla, and the two angels retreated from the room. Once the two were alone, Monica turned to Kayla, "You know, I think you life is going to be a long and happy one. You just have to believe that, too."
Kayla looked down at her hands, "I know. But you also know that sometimes that's easier said than done." When Monica didn't say anything, Kayla said, "I think I'm gonna take a nap… the treatments always wipe me out. Wake me when they bring dinner, OK?" Monica nodded and Kayla lay down, putting her back to the angel.
While Kayla was sleeping, Monica decided to put the journal that Andrew had given her to use. She took it from the bedside table, and untied the satin ribbon. She thought for a minute about what she wanted to write, and the words began pouring out of her…
Andrew bought me this journal as a way to keep my thoughts in one place, in case I didn't have anyone to listen. Truthfully, I don't think I would even know what to say if someone was listening. I've never felt this human before. But, here I am, sick with a very human illness, and feeling the same human emotions… fear, hurt, confusion, and even anger. I certainly don't feel like an angel right now.
The doctors said that there is a chance I might die from this disease, and that scares me too. I know that I as an angel cannot die, but my human form can. If that form dies, what will happen to me? Will I ever see Andrew and Tess again?
I know I'm going to beat this though…I've got the Father on my side, and the best friends in the Angelic Realm. I hope I can help Kayla get through this too, I know that she's strong, but something like this can break a human, and I think I'm finally beginning to realize that. The one thing I do know is that I don't want Andrew to know how much this is affecting me. I don't even understand my own feelings yet, and he is so protective of me. I don't think I can bear what it would do to him. But, I don't know if I can bear this on my own. Father, I hope you help me… I'm just so confused.
Monica sighed and closed the journal, having written the only thoughts down that weren't still jumbled up within her. Stifling a yawn with her hand, she decided to follow her roommate's example. She tied the ribbon, and returned the small book to the bedside table, before lying down and pulling her blanket up over her slim shoulders. As sleep overtook her, she sent up a quick prayer for Kayla, and herself.