CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
FOUR MONTHS LATER----THREE YEARS SINCE----Matt's in 9th grade; Lizzie would have been a senior
"Lizzie, three years have passed. Wow! Matt's a freshman at Hillridge High School. He's the same age you were when you committed suicide. God, that's scary. Gordo and Miranda are graduating; you would have been graduating with them. They're pregnant again and are planning on getting married this summer, after the baby's born. Miranda's already asked if Marin can be a flower girl with Lizzie. They're having a boy this time, David Zephyr Gordon Junior, "David." They're so young!
Jo received a good report from Dr. Hall today. The tumors are shrinking! Finally! We were so nervous going into the doctor's office today. We were afraid that the news would not be good. She's so weak from the constant chemotherapy. It's been almost a year and a half of constant chemo. Dr. Hall sat down at his desk. Jo grabbed my hand as he delivered the news. "Mrs. McGuire, I've got good news," he begins, "the tumors are responding to treatment and are shrinking." Jo and I embraced each other. "The ones on your side are nearly gone, and the main one on your abdomen is shrinking." Jo puts her face in her hands, "Oh thank you, Jesus," she sighs. "I still want to keep you on your same treatment schedule." She takes a deep breath, "Okay." "I want to do a couple more months worth of chemo, and if you're still doing well, then we can talk about reducing the schedule. I want to see you in another two months." We stand up. I shake the doctor's hand, "Thank you, doctor." Jo and I leave the office and walk down the hallway to the elevator. I look at my wife and pull her into an embrace, "Oh, Jo. Thank God." Tears fall from my eyes. She pulls back and wipes one away. The doors open, so we step in.
Now sweetheart, we're here. Your mother and I wanted it to be just the three of us. Our next door neighbour is taking care of the kids. Thanks for your help, kiddo. Keep it up. This is definitely a morale booster. It's been so hard on your mother, but she's such a strong and awesome woman. I don't know how she has remained so strong. She is remarkable."
"Sam," Jo stirs, blushing. She sits up from my lap. "Honey," I begin, "Did you have a good nap?" "How long was I asleep?" "Oh, about an hour." "Why didn't you wake me?" "You looked so comfortable."
"Your youngest brother and sisters are doing great. Marin's talking up a storm and the twins are running everywhere. All three are running your mom and I ragged. Marin's got a favorite stuffed animal, a cow. She named it Mister Moo. She's so cute; she reminds me of you when you were two and got your pig, Mr. Snuggles. She sleeps with it every night. I think the two of you would have really gotten along. Brooke is a lot like Matt. She and Matt love to make silly faces at each other. They're like two peas in a pod. Her favorite game is hide and go seek. She's better at the 'hiding' part."
Jo chimes in, "Ben is so much like your father. He calls Ben 'Mini-me.' " She laughs and continues, "He looks up to your brother. Okay, I know you're laughing; Matt, a role model! However, he's good with the kids. He's always carrying Ben around. They're inseparable."
"Lizzie," I continue, "We miss you so much. We hope you've found the peace and happiness you were lacking. I love you, princess."
"I love you too, baby." Jo looks at me, "I think I need to go home. I'm really tired."
"Okay." We walk back to the car hand in hand.
We were asleep on the couch by the time Matt came home from school. Marin and the twins were taking their naps. "Matt," I call, "come into the living room for a minute?" "What's up?" Jo begins, "I had an appointment with Dr. Hall today." Matt looks worried, "Okay?" "I got a good report. The tumors are shrinking. The ones on my side are nearly gone and the main tumor is shrinking." He breathes a sigh of relief, "Do you get to stop chemo now?" "Not yet. Maybe in a couple months when I go back, he'll either stop it or reduce it, but not right now." "That's good. I've got homework to do. I gotta go."
Later that night, Jo and I discussed the day's events. "Sam, what's on your mind?" I take her hand, "I'm just so relieved your report was good. I don't know what I would've done if I'd lost you." She places her hand on my cheek, "I'm relieved too, but you would go on just fine." "I know, but I don't wanna find out." "I'm worried about Matt." "Why?" "I dunno. There's something not quite right about him." "Well, his grades are good. He, Melina and Lanny are taking extra classes. He's also quite a cook and good with the kids." "I know, but call it my mom instinct, there's something not right here." "He's been through a lot these last three years. He hasn't had time to de-stress." "Maybe you're right, Sam."