The Group
Part Three
…where we left off
ff net is seriously lagging today, but I got everyone's reviews in my mailbox.
I'm sure they'll show up on the site soon.
I'm Speechless.
That brought down the energy level in the room. It was as if someone left the water
running in the bathtub causing it to spill over. The ceiling cracks and then the floor
below gets damaged.
Even the happy-go-lucky-go-with-the-flow Herbie didn't have anything to say in
response to Emme's declaration that every single one of them was going to die from
their cancer even Clipboard Ted the moderator was taken aback for a moment.
"Is that what you think, Miss Watson? I guess according to your theory I should have
died twelve years ago. I had testicular cancer."
That made Drake grateful for his osteosarcoma in his proxial humerus that was for
certain. He couldn't imagine having cancer in his man area.
Emme was out of words, out of breath, and out of energy.
"I'd rather not talk anymore."
"Let's continue the introductions shall we."
Drake couldn't help tuning out the next person to speak. He was trying to picture what
this Emme Jessica Watson was like pre-cancer. Was she always negative and mean
to people? Or was that just her way of handling the situation? She certainly clammed
up when Clipboard Ted revealed to the group that he was a cancer survivor.
And he probably was saving that for the optimistic "we'll all get through this together"
big finish, but that's what happens when the bubble bursts.
Why am I thinking about her?
"Mr. Parker---."
Shit.
"Yeah?"
"Care to share with the group your thoughts?"
Great. Now people are going to think I had no interest in their suffering and only
mine mattered.
Not true.
I'm not that arrogant.
"Not really."
"Well, I expect you to know everyone else's name by the next meeting."
What is this school?
"I'm sure Drake didn't mean to space out."
Thanks, Herbie.
"Thanks, Herbie."
Clipboard Ted looked at his basic black leather strapped Timex watch and dismissed
the formal group session for the day and reminded everyone treatments and
surgeries aside that he hoped everyone came back in two weeks.
Emme peeled off her name tag from her blouse and crumbled into a little sticky ball
that she proceeded to toss to the floor. How dare that moderator slap it on her before
she went into the restroom?
She wasn't going to come back to this place. She'd rather get her chemotherapy and
visualize a tunnel of blackness than to be here in a support group where she was
supposed to reveal all and be magically "healed". That concept was complete bullshit
to her.
"Just what are you looking at?"
"Nothing much, Miss Priss." Drake replied.
"I know your type."
"My type?"
Drake did not know why he couldn't let this go. Why couldn't he just walk away from
this mean spirited young woman?
"You're the popular kid in school who thinks having cancer is above you. I hate you."
You don't even know me.
"What am I supposed to say back? How about this? I think you're nuts."
Her eyes blinked. Let this Don Juanoma of the group think he got to her today? No
frigging way was she going to let that happen. She just did the "nose up in the air"
walk and hoped that her mother was outside waiting for her so they could go home in
their shiny black Lexus.
Drake had something to do despite that he wanted to go home himself and take the
world's longest bath, which he knew he was going to fall asleep in the water and the
last time that happened Josh was standing there ready to pull him out. Drake would
have preferred a plugged in hairdryer to land in the water over that embarrassing
moment.
"Look, Drake, we got goodie bags." Herbie announced handing one to him.
Drake never knew someone other than the small children or the handicapped who
took such pleasure in such seemingly little things.
"Thanks."
"You'll be back for the next meeting?"
"Of course." He had to regularly attend now. If he was anything like Emme Jessica
Watson he would want to be stoned to death on the spot.
Drake peeked inside the bag. Biotene toothpaste and mouthwash, a foam bath
pillow, a little packet of Kirk's coconut soap, and a brochure which was probably filled
with gleaming optomism.
"Good. I'll see you next time."
"Bye."
Where did this strange woman who was standing by the greeting table come from?
Well, his looks might have been questionable at the moment, but Drake Parker would
have liked to think he still had his charm. She was a twentysomething African-
American who was wearing maroon colored hospital scrubs.
"Hi."
"Hello, Drake. Do you need to call for a ride home?"
How did she know my name?
Oh my name tag.
"No. My brother is probably outside waiting for me. I need a photocopy of the
attendance sheet," Drake coughed, "My mom would like a copy."
Hey the parents in the PTA used to get copies of the school class lists, so this
shouldn't be a big deal.
As long as Clipboard Ted was gone from view this could work..
"You can have this, sweetie, Ted has the original."
"Thanks."
I still got it.
Now he could just memorize the people's names he did not know for Clipboard Ted's
ridiculous faux assignment just because he blanked out his thoughts during the last bit
of introductions. It was good to know he could still impress the ladies.
"Hey, Drake, how'd it go?"
It was Walter who picked him up instead of Josh.
"Dad, you don't have to come inside like I'm an invalid."
"Sorry."
"Don't worry about it."
"Do you want to stop for something?"
"No, not really."
Forget the bath. Now he just wanted to go to bed. He wondered if Emme Jessica
Watson would be attending the next meeting?
"Okay." Walter replied wishing he could say more, but he knew that pre-cancer Drake
always had guarded feelings, so this was no different.
Why am I still thinking about her?
Make it stop.
"Would you like to go to mall for a smoothie?" asked Mrs. Watson to Emme on their
way home.
"Not really."
"How was the support group, dear?"
"We had a BLAST! I made several FRIENDS! Let's see—there was a LITTLE
PERSON like Mini Me from The Surreal Life his name is Herbie, I met a GIRLFRIEND
in the restroom named Amy, and I met a LOVELY BOY named Drake."
(I wonder…)
(I wish...)
(I hope...)