Las Vegas, Nevada
July 1st, 2003, 8:30 am
"Mum" I distinctly heard Meghan's voice. "Mama." Her voice came again a little shriller this time. Meghan called me Mama only when she was scared or upset.
I opened my eyes, to see my daughters face.
"Megs, what's wrong?" I questioned.
"Here it's time for you to get up. You slept through the alarm."
I looked at the clock on my bedside table. 8:30 am. I f I didnt hurry I was going to be late for my docotors appointment.Ok Megs Im going to get in the shower. Did you get some breakfast?"
"Mom Im almost 13, I can handle it. And yes I did get myself some breakfast."
She said grinning at me. I hugged her tightly then headed for the bathroom. I knew that sometimes I still treated my daughter like a little girl, but I couldn't help it.
"MOM" I heard Meghan yell "WE"RE GONNA BE LATE!"
Grinning I stepped out of the shower, ready to begin my day.
"Mom, Mom. Can you hear me?" Meghan's voice penetrated through the fog.
I opend my eyes to see my daughter's pale, scared face looking down at me.
I looked around, seeing the white-washed walls and smelling thesterile clean of a hospital room.
I managed a small smile for my daughter. "Im fine Megs." I said as I reached out and stroked her hair.
"Aunt Sara's out in the hall, I called her when we got here."
The words were no sooner out of Meghan's mouth when my bestfriend came into the room.
"Tessa, how are you feeling?" Sara questioned.
"Im feeling a little..."I trailed off, not quite sure how to put into words how I was really feeling and not wanting to scare my daughter. Just then Catherine arrived with Warrick, Greg and Nick in tow.
Warrick, took Meghan by the arm. "Hey Meg, why dont we go down to the cafeteria and get something to eat? Let your mom talk with Aunt Sara and Aunt Catherine?" Meghan looked at me as if asking my permission. I nodded "Go ahead Megs get something to eat."
Meghan nodded. "Ok but only if Uncle Greg comes too."
Warrick glanced at Greg (who could never say no to Meghan) and he smiled. "Sure Megs I'll come." He agreed. I watched as the door closed behind them. Catherine and sara sat on either side of the bed while Nick settled himself in the chair beside the bed.
I glanced at my friends. "Im going to be here for awhile arent I?" I asked, knowing the answer.
I saw the looks on their faces and I knew that this was it.
"Tessa dont worry, sweetie its only for a bit." Catherine tried.
I shook my head. "No Cath its not. Because, I know that alot of the patients who come in here, people like me, dont always get out of here and I know thats me, you dont have to say it, because I know it."