CHAPTER 4: THE BEGINNING OF THE END

Mary was with Monica who had just woke up. Mary told her about what had happened with Linus. Both women were worried about him, but had their own worries to deal with, as well. They waited for Doctor Horowitz to come back. He had something important to talk to both of them about.

"Sorry for making you wait so long," said the doctor. "Had some stuff to deal with that shooting victim. I heard you two know him."

"We do," said Monica.

"He's a friend of ours," added Mary. "How is he, by the way?"

"Still out, but stable," said Doctor Horowitz. "He'll live. We just have to wait and see if any permanent damage was done by the bullet. Anyway, for you, Monica, I wish I had good news for you, as well."

"Give it to me, doctor," said Monica.

"Our worse fears have been confirmed," he said, sadly. "I just got your bloodwork back, and the cancer had spread to other areas of your body." Mary was inconsolable by that point. Monica didn't say anything, she was almost catatonic.

"Now, if you want to, we can continue to do aggressive chemotherapy to battle the cancer, or…"

"No, doctor," said Monica, emotionless. "I've already made up my mind in case this would happen. I'm done with the treatments. I don't want Mary going through this any longer. Put me in hospice care, do whatever it takes to make my last days comfortable. But, no more treatments."

"I understand," said Doctor Horowitz. "I'm sorry we weren't able to save you."

"Don't blame yourself, doctor," assured Monica. "We know you did all you could to save me. It is what it is. I'm forever grateful for your help in all of this."

"I'll leave you two alone for now," said the doctor. "Would you want to stay here for your final days, or somewhere else?"

"I want to go back home, doctor," said Monica. "I want to spend my time with Mary." She kissed Mary on the head, who never stopped crying or even letting go of Monica.

"I'll work on your release," said the doctor, looking down. He left the room.

"Monica," Mary sobbed, "I just-"

"Shh, it's okay, baby," said Monica. "I'm okay. I just want to spend what time we have left together. You and me. We'll plan a get-together for our friends before I can't do anything else. I love you so much."

"I l-l-love you too, Mon," said an inconsolable Mary. And both women hugged each other, crying. At one point, Mary Jo walked up and saw it wasn't good news. She'd find out soon enough, but for now she had to check on Linus.

She went to Linus's room. He was sound asleep and recovering from the surgery to remove the bullet that had hit him. She sat down at his bedside. She watched as he slept. He didn't look like someone who had just got shot, but just asleep peacefully. She knew her ex-boyfriend Duke had done that. One thing that was either his Achilles' Heel, or a blessing in disguise, whoever you would ask, was that he was up front and honest about being an asshole who only cared about himself. She was sure once the heat died down, he would contact her. He always thought he was invincible, and whoever gave him the gun to shoot Linus would pay, as well, as far as she was concerned. She pulled out her phone and made a call.

Duke found an abandoned barn to sleep in for the night. He would call Mary Jo when the heat died down and enough time had passed. All of a sudden, his phone rang. He saw it was Mary Jo calling him.

"M.J., you finally come to your senses!" he said, beaming.

"Yeah, I guess you can say I have," said Mary Jo on the other end. She went outside so in case Linus woke up, he wouldn't hear what she had to say."

"How's loverboy doing after I pumped him full of lead?"

"Good fucking grief, you're not even trying to deny it, aren't you?!"

"To you, never, baby. My message must've come across, at least to you since YOU called ME."

"Loud and clear, Dukie baby."

"I missed you calling me that."

"Now, I just can't up and leave, it wouldn't make sense. Give me time to tie up loose ends here and I will call you in a week or so to arrange a rendezvous spot."

"I like what you're saying. Maybe I was a bit impatient. Take care of what you need to, and we'll head back home, M.J. Just don't take too long."

"I'll try not to. I'll be in touch, Duke. I love you."

"I love you too, baby. I can't wait for us to be together again! Call me when you're ready!" And Duke happily hung up.

Mary Jo made one more phone call. She waited for someone to answer the phone.

"Sup, Mary Jo!" said the party on the other end.

"Dice, do you still deal in firearms?"

TO BE CONTINUED…