Chapter 10:

3 months later, Beginning of Spring

Its March now. it's March and Collins isn't getting any better. He is holding onto his last branch of life. However, recently, his doctor had come to him to suggest a new drug that would fight off his illness. everyone was hesitant after hearing the risk, but Collins said something that had changed our minds.

"What's the worst case scenario?" he asked us one night when we all were in his room

"You die." Maureen had mumbled from the side of his bed.

He grinned widely or as wide as he could and said,

"Then anything short of that is perfect"

Of course Collins would have gone through it whether or not we agreed. I think he just wanted to reassure us.

"Collins started the first round of the new treatment today." I said to Maureen as she bustled around the kitchen to cook dinner.

"Yup. He called and complained that nobody laughed at his jokes." she huffed as she cut the green peppers.

"They probably were morbid, many people get that type of humor." I said, watching her carefully and she used the very sharp knife with an unnecessary amount of force. I stood up after watching for a few anxious moments and took the knife from her hand smoothly, bumping into her so she would be in front of the pot of sauce. "Why don't you stir and I cut,hm?"

It wasn't really a question. It was gonna happen whether she wanted to or not because I am not having my wife cut herself while being reckless with a knife.

She mumbled some words I pretended not to hear and went about stirring. "Do you think he'll be ok, Jo?" I looked at her with pursed lips. "Honestly." she asked, sitting the wooden spoon aside and facing me fully.

I sighed and set the knife down before wiping my hands off with a clean dish towel to buy me time. I took my hands in hers and looked her dead in the eyes. " I honestly hope he will be fine. I would like to tell you that he would certainly be alright but I dont know much about the treatment other than it'll help him."

Maureen bit her lip and nodding before wrapping her arms around my torso and burying her face in the crook of my neck. "I just dont wanna lose my best friend, ya know?"

I kissed the top of her head and rubbed her back. " I know. I know."

The night came and went. It was filled with nonstop talking from the twins, and Maureen. Maureen is just like the twins. Or the twins are just like Maureen. They all were animated and they all talked a lot. Elena was more reserved and in her head when dinner came around. She only spoke when she wanted to and I respected that because when she spoke she spoke for a really good reason. The twins would tease her but she would tell them to bite her and all was well.

Elena wasn't a problem child. Never have been and I think she never will be. She never had a reason to rebel. Shes always just be reserved. She likes it that way and Im happy that shes content but I believe she needs to branch out more from just her regular group of friends and cheerleading. I know last month she wanted to quit cheer from some sly comments but she hasnt a motion to do just yet. I think that would be good for her because them she wouldn't be so stressed out.

The other thing with Elena is, is that she's been spending a lot of time with Maddy which isnt bad because Maddy is a wonderful girl, I just feel like she isnt telling me something. Like Im missing something thats going on between the two. Of course I dont pry but I do care.

MINI UPDATE: its so short and no plot but i needed a head start on getting bac into the groove of this story! review if you want!