Episode 42: Mastectomy
CHAPTER 1: THE BATTLE CONTINUES
Monica was back at the hospital getting ready for her mastectomy. This would be the "Do or Die" surgery to save her life. If this didn't work, she would quit doing all the chemotherapy, the medications, everything because she didn't want Mary suffering anymore. Mary Jo walked in her room. Mary was at her bedside.
"So, are you ready, Monica?" she asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be," said Monica.
"I'll be waiting for you, baby," said a tearful Mary.
"I'm sure everything, no matter the outcome, will be all right, Mary," assured Mary Jo. At that moment, Doctor Horowitz walked in.
"Everything's set, nurse?" he asked Mary Jo.
"It is, doctor," said Mary Jo.
"Okay, we will bring you down to surgery, Monica," said the doctor. Mary kissed her once mere before she left.
"I love you, Monica," she said, softly.
"I love you too, Mary," said Monica. And the orderlies wheeled Monica to surgery. Mary Jo put her hand on Mary's shoulder.
"I'll come back to check on you, Mare," she said. And she left the room.
A little while later in the waiting room, Mary was sitting, but not relaxed. Monica was still in surgery. Pat had come up with Little Richie, as did, by surprise, their boss Ray.
"Ray!" said Mary, shocked to see her boss there. "Who's watching the diner?!"
"I got Leroy running things in my absence," Ray replied. "How you's holdin' up?"
"Honestly, Ray, I'm a wreck!" said Mary, trying, but mostly failing to hold back tears. "I'm hoping Monica will be all right."
"I'm sure she will, Mare," said Pat.
"I'm glad you two are here, though," said a grateful Mary. "Pat, is Charlie at work?"
"Yeah, Chuck had to go in early," Pat replied. "He and Cormac got new recruits coming in to apply for the Marines. Cormac has since become Chuck's second-in-command at the recruitment center. They even have a new Private First Class joining them in the recruiting of men and women. Her name is Private First Class Martinez, I believe."
"All I wants to know is when you's coming back from maternity leave, Pat?" asked Ray. "With Mary on part-time for now, I needs someones who knows what they're doin'."
"Just one more week, Ray," assured Pat. "I should be back then. For now, let's be here for Mary."
"You's right, Pat. She needs us right now."
"Thank you both," said Mary. Soon Mary Jo came back.
"There you are, Mary," she said. Seeing Pat was there, she said, "Oh, hi, Pat. And hello to you, Little Richie, you cutie, you!" She pinched Little Richie's cheeks, making him giggle a little.
"Is the surgery done?" asked Mary.
"It is, Mare," Mary Jo replied. Looking at Ray, she said, "I don't think we met."
"I'm Ray, owner of Ray's Diner," he said.
"So you're the Ray whose food tastes like…"
Pat and Mary behind Ray signaled for her to not say what she was about to say.
"… like heaven!" she said, finishing her train of thought."
"Yeah, that's me," said Ray, smiling, not knowing what had transpired behind him.
"Anyway, Doctor Horowitz wants to talk to you," Mary Jo finished.
"Thanks, Mary Jo," said Mary.
"You want us to join you?" asked Pat.
"Could you?" asked Mary, back on the verge of tears. "I have a feeling it's not going to be good news."
"We's gots ya, Mary," said Ray. And the four of them followed Mary Jo back to Monica's room.
NEXT CHAPTER: VIOLET MAKES PROGRESS & IT WAS A DARK, BUT NOT STORMY NIGHT