It was the day before Thanksgiving and Tina was eternally grateful for the half day. Bob had called in the evening and said that Louise was having a really hard time with the chemo and now Linda was sick as well. Linda wasn't as sick as Louise, but it still upset Tina to know her mom was sick and unable to be with Louise. Teddy, Big Bob, and Mort were keeping an eye on Tina and Gene. Mort handled the mornings, while Teddy and Big Bob were there in the afternoon and evening. Jen would come around if Teddy and Big Bob both got held up at work. Tina could mind Gene in the hours between school letting out and Teddy and Big Bob getting off work, but they wanted a driving adult available "just in case." Tina shuddered knowing that just in case meant just in case Louise died. Her anxiety had become about ten times worse since Louise was diagnosed. Every time the phone rang, she was sure it was bad news. She would literally jump any time somebody called her name.
"Tina!" Gene called.
"Aghh!" Tina cried jumping slightly.
"Oh, sorry I forgot you were on edge. Well, it's time to go to school." Gene replied.
"You sure you are up for it? Because mom and dad said we could skip today if we wanted." Tina questioned.
"I guess" Gene sighed.
"Yeah, it's better than sitting around." Tina agreed.
After not hearing from her for most of twenty-four hours. Bob decided to go check on Linda while Louise was receiving radiation. Linda had the car, so he boarded a shuttle than went between the hospital and Ronald McDonald House. Since Louise had decided she wanted him to be the parent staying with her. He had only been there once on Monday to drop off some bags.
"May I help you?" The receptionist asked.
"Yes, my name is Bob Belcher. My daughter Louise is being treated for cancer. She wanted me to stay with her. So, my wife Linda Belcher is staying here. I completely forgot our room number." Bob rambled.
"418" The receptionist replied.
Bob rode the elevator up to Linda's room. Trying to ignore the guilt of not coming sooner. He had texted her several times since sending her to get some rest, and she was updating him every half hour. Then she just suddenly stopped. He feared something had happened to her. That she was lying sick and helpless on the floor, or that she was. No that couldn't be. He knew they cleaned those rooms every morning. Surely if something had happened to her. He would have been informed by now. He knocked on the door and called her name. Until she told him to come in. He opened the door and stepped inside. Linda was sitting on the bed. She had a bottle of ginger ale and some crackers. God she was sick, and he was ignoring her. He took a seat beside her and noticed tears were forming her eyes, but she was also smiling.
"Lin, are you OK? You stopped responding to my texts. I know I should have checked on you sooner, but Louise had a really bad night." Bob asked.
"Bobby, there is something I need to tell you." Linda replied taking his hand.
"What?" Bob asked.
"Bobby, I was feeling really bad yesterday. So, a few hours after I left the hospital. I went to urgent care to get checked out." Linda started.
"Lin, please tell me it's not…" Bob pleaded.
"Bobby, I'm pregnant." Linda whispered.
"You're what? How? I mean I know how, but how?" Bob gasped.
"Remember that night a few weeks ago? When Louise first started coughing?" Linda questioned.
"Vaguely." Bob replied.
"Well Tina was at that Thundergirl sleepover, Gene was staying over at Alex's, and we had somehow convinced Louise to sleepover at Jessica's. So, we well we had alone time for the first time in months. How we closed the restaurant and went upstairs? We were just getting ready to. Well, you know. When Jessica's mom called and said that Louise was coughing really bad, and she was driving her home. Well remember how you were already dressed to go. So, we well you know?" Linda recalled.
"Yes, I remember having an erection when we got the call that our daughter was sick at her friend's house, and now she has cancer." Bob replied.
"Well, you should also remember that you forgot to put on a condom." Linda reminded.
"So let me get this straight. Our daughter has cancer she is probably going to die from. The night she first got sick we were distracted by sex. When we got the call, she was sick, and now you are pregnant. Oh God. Oh God. This is not happening." Bob rambled.
"It is" Linda sighed handing Bob the ultrasound they had done to confirm the baby was implanted and growing properly.
"Oh God" Bob whispered, looking at the tiny bean like blur. There was part of him that was ecstatic. Being an only child, he had always wanted a big family. Part of him was terrified. What if this baby replaced Louise? What if this baby got the cancer and died too?
"It's going to be OK." Linda assured.
"Lin, this cancer it's hereditary. It runs in families. The baby might get it too." Bob informed.
"Is there anything we can do, to stop it?" Linda asked.
"Dr. Rivera said there was a genetic test. We also know about the cancer. So, if it has symptoms. We can maybe get a faster diagnosis that we got for Louise, but it probably won't be an issue. Tina and Gene are healthy, you me, and Gayle, our parents." Bob explained.
"So where did the cancer come from?" Linda asked.
"There is no way to confirm it, but Dr. Rivera thinks it was my aunt. The one we named Tina after. She died of lung cancer at two. Dr. Rivera said while there was no exact diagnosis given. Tina had all the same symptoms as Louise." Bob explained.
"But she died two weeks later." Linda recalled.
"There weren't really any effective treatments at the time. Even if there were she had a ton of other health problems that would have shortened her life anyway." Bob assured.
With permission from the Belcher's. The faculty of Wagstaff had decided to announce Louise's diagnosis at an assembly before dismissal on Wednesday morning. Tina and Gene were both grateful they would not have to keep breaking the news to their and Louise's friends. An email had been sent out Tuesday night. informing parents about Louise's illness. Allowing parents to prepare for any questions their children may ask. While also allowing parents of students who would miss the last day, to inform their children properly. Millie's mom was called Tuesday afternoon and it was decided that Millie be informed under the care of her psychologist. So, she was checked out early that day. Classes were dismissed about half an hour before the end of the day. Tina and Gene sat together in the back of the auditorium. Trying to ignore the complaints of schoolmates who assumed this was another pointless play that would cost them their promised half day. The assembly started out in typical Frond fashion. With him bringing out Portion Control Joel and a few other puppets to promote a safe and healthy holiday. Towards the end however Frond put away his puppets and changed his expression.
"Students know that you will be dismissed soon. However, before we send you out this morning. It is with great sadness that we must first tell you that fourth grader, Louise Belcher was diagnosed with cancer earlier this week. She is currently being treated at "Bog Harbor Children's Hospital." Please keep her family especially siblings Tina and Gene in your thoughts and prayers. We will be collecting money to assist the Belcher's with medical bills starting Monday. Donations will be taken in homeroom and a larger fundraiser will be announced in the coming weeks. You are now dismissed." Mr. Frond announced.
"No! This isn't happening!" Rudy cried before collapsing to the floor taking frantic puffs from his inhaler.
Tina and Gene walked out of the auditorium trying to ignore the pitying glances and whispers. It was official they were the siblings of the sick kid. Louise's cancer just seemed so real now. Tina took Gene's hand and guided him out of the school. Their friends were waiting for them on the steps. Susmita immediately pulled Tina into a hug. Alex did the same for Gene. Courtney stood to the side for once not sucking on her necklace or making any noise. Peter stood beside Courtney with his head bowed. Zeke wiped away tears before hugging Tina. Tammy, Jocelyn, and Jimmy Junior stood near Courtney. They were also unusually quiet.
"Tina I am so sorry." Susmita apologized.
"Thanks" Tina mumbled.
"I heard the news at church last night. I am so sorry. I wanted to call but I didn't know what to say." Zeke rambled.
"It's OK, Zeke." Tina sighed.
"My parents said if there was anything you guys needed. Just let them know." Alex said.
"We are OK for now." Gene replied.
"Oh Gene! I had no idea! Sorry I called you a bad friend!" Courtney cried.
"It's OK, Courtney." Gene assured.
"Yeah, Gene I am sorry." Peter agreed.
"Really it's OK." Gene replied.
"So, I guess I should start being nicer to you. Uh do you want to come hangs out at the mall this weekend?" Tammy offered.
"I don't know. I think we are going to stay with Louise for the weekend." Tina replied.
"Are you going to lose the restaurant?" Jimmy Junior asked.
"I don't know!" Tina snapped.
"Hang on I'm confused." Jocelyn commented.
"About what?" Zeke asked.
"Why did we have a special assembly and have to start being nice to Tina? Just because Louise has cancer. I have cancer too. I've had it my whole life and nobody feels sorry for me." Jocelyn explained.
"Oh My God, Jocelyn!" Tina gasped.
"Do you mean you are a cancer?" Susmita questioned.
"Yeah, isn't that what cancer is a star sign?" Jocelyn asked.
"Cancer is a disease where cells go crazy and start attacking your body parts!" Zeke snapped.
"Oh" Jocelyn whispered.
"Well, we need to get going." Tina announced dragging Gene away.
"Are you going to lose the restaurant?" Jimmy Junior asked again.
"I don't know, Jimmy! Right now, I really don't care!" Tina snapped.
Jessica's parents let her skip the day before Thanksgiving break. She woke up around eleven. Her plans were to practice guitar and catch up on her favorite show "To Zombie or Not to Zombie." Before having to help get the house ready for her cousins who were due to arrive around five. After eating breakfast, she washed her hands and went up to her room to get her guitar. She was just getting in the rhythm.
"Jessica!" Her mom called.
"What?" Jessica asked.
"Can you come here please?" Her mom asked.
"Can it wait? I'm practicing." Jessica requested.
"Now Jessica!" Her mom insisted.
Jessica sighed and returned her guitar to it's stand. She walked back downstairs and found her parents sitting on the couch. Now she was worried. Her mom's office had closed for the weekend, but her dad worked at the hospital, and he was supposed to work all week. She frantically tried to remember if she had seen or heard her grandmother that morning. Her mom motioned for her to sit, and she obliged.
"What's going on?" Jessica asked nervously.
"Jessica I was checking my email about and hour ago. There was one from the school." Her mom started.
"Am I in trouble?" Jessica asked recalling the fake dog poop she had set in Ms. Labonz' chair on Monday.
"No. Honey, the email was about your friend Louise." Her mom explained.
"What's going on with her? She's been out for almost two weeks. Tina and Gene don't know anything about it." Jessica asked.
"Jessica, Louise she. She's in the hospital." Her mom explained.
"The hospital? Why?" Jessica asked.
"Jessica, Louise has lung cancer." Her dad explained.
"Lung cancer? But she's nine!" Jessica snapped.
"It's a rare form that impacts children." Her dad clarified.
"No! Louise doesn't have cancer! She's fine! She was fine!" Jessica snapped before storming out of the room.
Teddy solemnly carried his tools into Louise's room. He had been putting this task off for days now. The cancer had made Louise so weak. When she came home. She would no longer be able to climb the stairs. Even if she managed it. She would be oxygen dependent the rest of her life. However long that may be. A loft bed just would not mix with an oxygen tank or ventilator. They were talking about cutting a hole in Louise's throat and shoving a tube through it so she could breathe. Bobby was crying, Lin was too. It was all too much for the handyman. He could have just taken a saw to the bed and had it down in minutes, but his heart would not allow such an act. Instead, he used a screwdriver and reversed his drill. It was time consuming and exhausting, but at least he would easily be able to reassemble the bed when Louise got better. Because she had to get better. She just had to. He recalled building the bed a few months ago. Louise had been such a good helper. She was a brilliant child. Really one of the smartest people Teddy ever met. Despite her mediocre performance in school. She actually was very eager to learn. He wasn't sure if she just got bored in class and acted out or if she had a learning disability like him and would never learn like other kids. In either case she was amazing. He would have hired her on the spot if she were a few years older. Of course, she would probably prefer to take over the restaurant or work with sharks. He recalled asking her about sharks. Why she loved them so much. She said they were just fascinating to her. She said she kind of wanted to be a Marine Biologist when she got older. If taking over the restaurant did not happen. She had so much potential. There were a million things she could do with her life. All equally amazing. Now cancer may take all that away. It wasn't fair. It just wasn't fair. Teddy unplugged the drill, hugged his legs to his chest, buried his head in his knees, and broke down where the loft bed had once stood.