Linda initially wanted to call an ambulance. Until Bob pointed out that they didn't really need one. She was conscious and aware of her surroundings, and her breathing was not really any worse than it had been. Linda helped her change out of her blood-stained pajamas and into the oversized "Wonder Wharf" shirt and sleep pants she slept in on hot nights or when her other jammies were in the wash. Bob grabbed a bin in case Louise had another episode and packed a hospital bag for the three of them. Linda pointed out the doctors may need proof that Louise had actually coughed up blood. So, he stuck her dirty clothes in a large Ziplock bag and began to slip them into the suitcase. This was all too familiar. He tried to force it back. He had been wrestling with the memory since he first found Louise on the bathroom floor covered in blood…
{FLASHBACK!} {FLASHBACK!} {FLASHBACK!} {FLASHBACK!} {FLASHBACK!} {FLASHBACK!} {FLASHBACK!} {FLASHBACK!} {FLASHBACK!} {FLASHBACK!}
Twelve-year-old Bob Belcher woke to the sound of his mother screaming. He heard his father jump out of bed and fling open the bathroom door. "Lily! Oh My God!" Big Bob cried. Extremely concerned Bob got out of his own bed and walked to his parents' room. He pushed open the door and noticed the bathroom door was still open. He walked closer and instantly regretted it. His mom was sitting in the bathtub a pool of blood was forming around her. Her pajamas were lying on the ground beside the bathtub. They were also soaked in blood. Actually, there was blood everywhere. Bob didn't even notice that his mom was naked until he saw her underwear on the edge of the tub. Also, blood soaked. He peaked in the tub and couldn't help but scream. Blood was gushing out from between his mom's legs. He knew that woman bled out of their vaginas once a month. He had even been tasked with buying his mom tampons once, but this. He didn't think it was this bad. Big Bob came running in with a clean pair of pants and underwear.
"Dad! What's happening?" Bob cried.
"Go to your room Bobby!" Big Bob demanded.
"What's wrong with her?" Bob asked.
"I don't know son, but I will be OK." Lily assured.
{END FLASHBACK!} {END FLASHBACK!} {END FLASHBACK!} {END FLASHBACK!} {END FLASHBACK!} {END FLASHBACK!} {END FLASHBACK!}
Except she wasn't OK. Bob went to stay with Harry and five days later Big Bob told him that his mom had… had. No there was no way Louise could have. Yeah, that was a sign, but kids didn't get that type of cancer. He was just panicking. For all he knew Louise had just accidentally bit her cheek or her lip and that's where the blood was really coming from. Yeah, that was it. They would get Louise breathing treatments and learn how to manage asthma or whatever minor thing it was. Then they would be sent home. They would keep saving and by next Christmas they would have that TV and Louise would dance around the living room, perfectly healthy. Snapping back to reality. He stuck the bag in the suitcase and zipped it shut. Technically Tina was old enough to handle Gen, but it was so late, and they really didn't know how long Louise would be in the hospital. He decided to call Teddy and have him come over to watch the kids. Who knows maybe they were just overreacting, and they would be home before Tina and Gene even woke up.
"Hey Bobby. It's four in the morning. Are you OK?" Teddy greeted.
"Teddy, Louise is coughing up blood. We are going to the hospital. Can you come over and stay with Tina and Gene?" Bob asked.
"Louise is what?! Oh God! Yeah, I'll be right there!" Teddy cried.
Louise ended up falling asleep in Linda's arms while she changed her. Bob was still packing the bag. So, she carefully carried Louise to the couch and set her down. She heard Bob call to her that he was calling Teddy. She was grateful he had been able to think about that. Teddy would arrive quickly but still she didn't want the kids to wake up and realize they were alone. She started to Gene's room but realized he would completely fall apart knowing how sick Louise was. It was best to just talk to Tina and let Gene sleep. Not that Tina wouldn't be upset but she tended to take things better than Gene. She left Louise on the couch, once again checking to ensure she was breathing. Before heading down the hall and knocking on Tina's door.
Tina woke to the sound of Louise screaming. She heard her parents racing down the hall and then Bob screaming. There was still a lot of movement, but things quieted down quickly. She decided it had just been a nightmare and went back to sleep. At least she tried to. She was just beginning to drift. When she heard a soft knocking on her door and Linda asking if she could come in. Tina grabbed her glasses off the side table and told her mom she was free to enter.
"Mom? It's four in the morning. What is going on? Why was everybody screaming a minute ago?" Tina asked.
"Tina, Louise is really sick." Linda replied.
"I know she has that cough thing." Tina recalled.
"Yes, and when you heard yelling. It was because she started coughing up blood." Linda explained still shell shocked by the events.
"Coughing up blood?!" Tina gasped.
"Yeah, she stopped but your dad and I have to take her to the hospital. Teddy is on his way, but I need you to keep an eye on Gene until he arrives. I don't know when we will be back, but we will call Teddy as soon as we know anything." Linda explained.
"I want to go to." Tina insisted.
"No Tina, it's very early and even if you stay home tomorrow. You still need to rest. It's going to be a lot of waiting around at first, but I will get Teddy to bring you and Gene to see her tomorrow. If we are even still there." Linda assured.
"Tell Louise I love her." Tina said as tears fell down her cheeks.
"She knows and she is going to be OK." Linda assured.
Not wanting Louise to be outside any longer than she had to be. Linda ran and got the car. While Bob got Louise into her coat and a pair of long pants. He held her close to his chest as he slowly walked down the stairs. He was still fighting the memory of the night his mom got sick and the new terror of seeing his daughter cough up blood. All he wanted to do to was break down and cry, but he had to be strong. Outside he heard Linda honk the horn. He opened the door and stepped outside. He slid Louise into the backseat and then took a seat beside her. She was buckled in but basically limp. He scooted closer and supported her with his own body. They were pulling into the hospital. When Louise had another episode. Bob held her upright as she coughed, her eyes wide with fear. Linda flung the car into ambulance zone. Bob jumped out carrying Louise in his arms. While Linda went to find a parking place. He was running through the doors when Louise started to gag. He closed his eyes unable to watch what he knew was about to happen. He shuddered when he felt the blood hit his shoulder. He wasn't sure if it was the panic or if there was an actual medical explanation, but the blood smelled extra bloody. He felt bile rise in his throat but forced it down. The receptionist had seen everything happen and paged for immediate help. The next thing he knew Louise was loaded on a gurney and they were rushed back to a room.
"When did the symptoms start?" A doctor asked Bob and Linda moments later.
"She started coughing about a month ago. She never ran a fever. At least not a high one. We figured it was just a cold and treated it with home remedies and encouraging rest. I noticed last week that she was still coughing. I was worried and wanted to take her to the doctor, but she refused. Then Friday, Linda had to pick her up. She made it a block from school and couldn't walk anymore. Linda made her an appointment with the pediatrician immediately but the earliest she could be seen was Monday. They told us to bring her in if she got any worse. Normally she works in our restaurant with her brother and sister, but we gave her the weekend off to rest. She seemed OK Saturday and yesterday she even helped a while. She fell asleep having her lunch and we knew she needed help sooner. The pediatrician said to take her to urgent care or bring her in first thing in the morning. We wanted to let her sleep. Then around four we heard screaming. She was coughing up blood." Bob explained voice shaking.
"Had she coughed up blood before?" The doctor asked.
"No, at least not as far as we know." Linda replied.
"Not as far as you know?" The doctor questioned.
"Louise has always hated doctors and hospitals. She has a history of downplaying symptoms." Bob explained.
"Unfortunately, that is how a lot of people end up in here." The doctor sighed.
Terrified Tina was purely terrified. There was no way her baby sister was coughing up blood. This all had to be a nightmare, but why were her parents and Louise gone? Her heart was racing a million times per minute. She ran down the hall and into Gene's room. At least her brother was safely sleeping in his bed. She heard the front door open, and her heart soared. Maybe they had just gone to get Louise more medicine? The raced towards the stairs and immediately crashed into Teddy.
"Tina are you OK?" Teddy gasped.
"Oh God! Teddy I am so sorry!" Tina apologized.
"No, it's OK. As long as you are OK that is." Teddy assured.
"So, it's real?" Tina asked voice cracking.
"Yeah Tina, I'm afraid so." Teddy apologized.
Gene woke up to the sound of his alarm. He let out an audible groan upon realizing it was Monday. How was the weekend already over? He hadn't even had any adventures. Poor Louise had been sick all weekend. She could barely get out of bed. He sure hoped she was feeling better. Mainly because he had not studied for an English test he had that afternoon, and he needed some of her skills to get out of it. He tossed on his usual yellow shirt and shorts, slipped on his socks, and laced up his shoes. Before heading to the kitchen. His heart dropped when he noticed that Louise's chair was empty. How sick was she? His concern only grew when he noticed that Tina was the only one at the table. His fear quadrupled when Teddy entered the kitchen carrying bags from a diner a couple of streets over.
"Teddy? Why are you here? Where is mom, dad, and Louise?" Gene asked.
"Gene, Louise is in the hospital." Teddy replied nervously.
"The hospital?!" Gene cried.
"She got really sick last night. Mom and dad rushed her to the ER. They admitted her and mom texted about an hour ago to say that she was undergoing some tests." Tina explained.
Back at the hospital there was a lot of waiting and even more dread. Louise had finally gotten a chest X-Ray around seven in the morning. They had run tests for Tuberculosis along with a few other lung ailments. TB didn't even make sense. The Belcher children had received all of their vaccinations. Bob knew that sometimes vaccines didn't work but Louise had not been exposed. At least not as far as he knew. At least it was somewhat less terrifying than the other thing.
"Mr., and Mrs. Belcher please come with me." A doctor called from the doorway.
Bob looked to the bed where his youngest daughter slept. They had put her on oxygen at some point during the night. Just getting the X-Ray had taken all of her strength. He turned back, gave her a kiss, and stroked her hair. Before following Linda and the doctor down a series of hallways to a tiny, cramped office. Bob took a seat in one chair and Linda in the other. The doctor took a seat behind his desk. He nervously ran his hand through his hair and pushed his glasses up his nose.
"Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Belcher I am Doctor Fling." Dr. Fling introduced.
"Cut the pleasantries and tell me what is wrong with my baby!" Bob ordered.
"We have scheduled her for an MRI at ten and will schedule the biopsy for this afternoon." Dr. Fling began.
"Biopsy?!" Bob cried gripping the desk and lunging for the wastebasket beside the desk.
"I am sorry the X-Ray showed a mass the size of your fist between Louise's right lung and heart." Dr. Fling explained switching on the light of the X-Ray display.
"Oh, my baby. My baby. My poor baby!" Linda sobbed.
"No! You're lying! It's a mistake! No this isn't happening again! It just isn't!" Bob cried again getting sick into the wastebasket.