Chapter 2

2 years ago

April 2013

The scent of spring flowers and blooming trees filled the air of Hawthorne on a bright beautiful April day. Looking up as she passed underneath a brick sidewalk around the waterfront, Brittany Pierce wondered how they survived the fresh sea wind that blew in from the east.

"Flowers, Lily," she said unware her daughter was fast asleep in her wheelchair.

Three perfect blossoms curved with thread-fine stems. Brittany stood on her toes grabbing a hold of the nearest branch and broke off a twig. Lily has once seen a flower and said "la," her first word. Brittany placed the twig on the sleeping child's lap.

Brittany glanced at her daughter as the breeze picked up and pushed the wheelchair faster. Making their way to Lily's appointment; Brittany wondered if it was going to rain when she saw low clouds scud across the sky.

Miguel Lopez sat at his desk while his receptionist Bridget went through her granddaughter's latest picture in search of the perfect one to display at her desk. She was a proud mother of her daughter Quinn for bringing her granddaughter Scarlet into the world.

"This one she is drooling," Bridget said smiling and proudly showing her boss the picture.

"And in this one she is sleeping," the picture showed Scarlet resting on her tummy wearing a lavender dress with a soft yellow headband over her head. The baby was only three months in the picture.

His office was an old washed up factory dating back to the early 1800s with doorways too short. Miguel stood at six feet. When he went back to the waiting room he saw it was packed with patients. Children cuddled at their parent's sides sniffling; some trying to read a book while others were falling asleep.

Lily was in her wheelchair. She had huge eloquent eyes. When she smiled every tooth in her mouth showed. Upon seeing Dr. Lopez, Lily let out a bellow of joy. Brittany leaned over from behind and gave her daughter a hug, smiled at Lily's excitement and pressed her lips to Lily's cheeks. When Brittany looked up her expression in her blue eyes made her look as happy and carefree as she's ever felt since Lily's birth.

The nurse called for the mother and child; and guided them to their room. Once the nurse was done checking Lily's vital signs and documented the information into the system; she explained that the doctor will be in shortly.

"Hi Lily," Dr. Lopez said once he entered the room shutting the door for privacy. He crouched besides Lily's wheelchair.

"How are you today Brittany?" he asked

"I'm fine Dr. Lopez" she answered

"Lily and I were having just having a talk"

"You were? Weren't you," she replied eyeing the doctor

"Yep, she said you are working too hard and that you deserve some time to yourself."

Brittany nervously swallowed. She was always nervous during Lily's appointments never knowing what the outcomes were.

Lily was born with defects. She was an angel with spinal bifid and Rett syndrome. There was the maybe affection, where she'd kiss Brittany's face and Brittany wasn't too sure if it was a real kiss or a lip spasm. But Brittany would make sure each smooch was meant to be real, that Lily was really giving her mom a kiss, show of appreciation.

Since birth Lily has had ten surgeries. Many trips to the hospitals between Providence and Boston caused Brittany wear and tear on her spirit; wondering whether Lily will survive the procedure. Hydrocephalus had developed after the last surgery. Afterwards Brittany had to accept that a shunt in her baby's brain was draining off excess fluid.

Lily could not walk, hold things, or eat solid food. She will not grow any bigger. Her limbs looked jumbled and broken while her bones were askew. Her body will fail her. Her organs were hooked up wrong. Most of her early surgeries had been to correctly connect her stomach, bladder, bowel, and to protect the bulging sac on her smooth little baby back containing her meninges and spinal cord. Lily was the baby every parent feared of having, but Brittany loved her so much she feared her own heart would burst any moment now by loving her daughter pure and heavy; and that's what Lily was pure and innocent.

"You okay there Brittany?" Miguel asked

"Yes I am. Can we get the exam done please," Brittany began to sweat

Unsnapping Lily's T-shirt, Dr. Lopez pressed his stethoscope to Lily's chest for a heartbeat. For a few moments the room became silent so the doctor can concentrate.

"Her heart sounds good today," Dr. Lopez said. "As well as her lungs."

Due to her body being tiny, Lily's lungs and kidneys were able to keep her alive as long as they were functioning well. Her endocrinologist has predicted that if Lily stops growing her organs would be sufficient. But if she grew even an inch more her lungs will overtax and her organs will give up.

"Really?" Brittany asked, she was always nervous about these things never knowing what to expect.

"Yes really," the doctor replied.

Sighing a relief Brittany said "thank you so much Dr. Lopez."

"How's her eating habit?"

"Good, great. Milkshakes, chicken soup, she eats all the time. Right sweetheart?"

Lily looked up from the table. She looked upon her mother with a mixture of joy and adoration. Her right hand rose, making its way to Brittany's cheeks. As always, Brittany was never sure whether Lily meant to touch her or if it was reflex of movement, but she bowed her forehead and let her daughter's small fingers trail down the side of her face.

"Gaa," Lily said. "Gaaa."

"I know," Brittany said. "I know, sweetheart."

Brittany believed that in spite of her daughter's limitations, Lily had a sensitive soul with deep emotions. Four years ago she had named her baby Lily, she wanted something simple and beautiful and what better way to do that than to name her child Lily after a beautiful yet simple flower.

Ten minutes later Lily's exam was finished. Brittany adjusted her daughter on her wheelchair making sure she was comfortable while Dr. Lopez finished documenting the exam on to the system.

"Brittany," Miguel called.

"Yes,"

"I will be retiring in four months,"

"What,"

"Yeah I know its last minute but I can refer Lily to a great colleague of mine," he suggested.

"Well are they familiar with Lily's case?"

"If you're interested and only if you're interested in who I can suggest for Lily, I can fax all her paperwork to the person,"

"Well sure I guess. I mean do you trust this person?" she asked

"I wouldn't suggest her if I didn't feel like she was fit to assist with Lily's wellbeing," the doctor replied.

Brittany nods, sighing "okay send her Lily's paperwork and everything about her health and have her call me so she can meet Lily outside of the clinic."

"Okay I'll do that right away."

Brittany nods. She turns to push Lily out the room with Dr. Lopez in tow.

"Oh by the way what's the doctor's name?" Brittany asked before her and Lily walk out the clinic.

"Dr. Jones, Mercedes Jones," the doctor said

"Okay well I'll be expecting Dr. Jones' phone call."

"See you later Brittany. You ladies take care. Bye Lily." The doctor waved as they left the building.

2 weeks later

"Hello," Brittany answered when her phone rang

"Hello this is Dr. Jones, may I speak with Brittany Pierce?" the doctor asked.

"This is Brittany how may I help you?"

"Hi Brittany. Dr. Lopez referred your daughter's file to me. I wondering if you would like to meet sometime soon and we can discuss everything; questions and answers you may have."

"Oh yes of course. What time and day will work for you?" Brittany asked.

"I'm available tomorrow. If that's too soon for you we can always schedule another day," the doctor said.

"No tomorrow will be great, I will have Lily with me though,"

"That's great I would love to me Dr. Lopez's favorite patient," the doctor chuckled

"Where would you like to meet?" Brittany asked

"How about the café downtown? We can meet there, grab a cup of coffee, then take a walk on the docks while we chat," the doctor suggested.

"Great we'll see you tomorrow. What time do you suggest?"

"Will noon work for you?"

"Noon will be great. I can feed Lily before we leave or I can buy her something to snack on at the café," Brittany said.

"Wonderful then its set; tomorrow at the café on downtown at noon. I'll see you ladies there," the doctor said

"See you tomorrow. Have a good day," Brittany said before finishing up the call.