CHAPTER 4: A MAJOR TALK

Mary and Monica were at the Brown's house. Most everyone was there. Violet stayed behind because of the restraining order in place, plus most everyone didn't want her there anyway. Mary and Monica were about to share Monica's future and what was to be next.

"Everyone," Charlie began, "we are all here because Mary and Monica has something to share with all of us. They didn't want to keep us in the dark about what's been going on with Monica's health. As we all know, Monica has been dealing with the effects of breast cancer, had a mastectomy, and had been getting chemo for the past few months. Well, they just suffered a major setback. I'll let Mary and Monica tell you." And Mary stepped up, and gave Charlie a kiss on the cheek.

"Thank you, Charlie," said Mary. "Well, as Charlie said, you know what's been going on with my Monica. Well, the cancer hasn't gone away as we hoped it would. But even worse, it has spread to her other breast now."

"Dear god!" gasped Patty.

"We decided that she will have another mastectomy to keep it from spreading even further," Mary continued. "However, if this doesn't work, and it gets worse, we made a decision, with your support, I hope."

"Name it, Mare," said Pat.

"Monica, baby?" And Monica joined her girlfriend.

"I've decided if this radical surgery doesn't work, I'm ceasing any further treatment," Monica announced.

"Say what?" shuddered Sally.

"That's right," Monica replied. "I cannot, in good conscience, let Mary go through this ordeal any further. I made peace with my mortality, and the time I have left. Mary Jo even knows someone who works in hospice care and had already promised to set things up."

"That's right," Mary Jo chimed in. "I talked to him and he's prepared to make things more comfortable for Monica if they come to that decision."

"I don't want to have my Mary suffer like this anymore," Monica continued. "It's not fair to her, or to the rest of you. We've discussed this for the past couple of days, and we made the appointment for the mastectomy. Now it's in the Creator's hands."

"You have my full support, you two," assured Charlie.

"Us too," added Pig Pen and Frieda.

"Same here," said Lucy.

"No doubt!" said Franklin.

"Absolutely," Marcie agreed.

"Well, it looks like everyone's on board," said Linus.

"Thank you all so much!" said a tearful Mary. "This has been really hard and to know all of you are here for us, no matter what happens, means the world to me and Monica."

"It sure does," agreed Monica. "I'm just so tired. So tired."

"We will be here for you, Mary and Monica," said Pat. "You can count on that." And Mary kissed Monica and hugged her.

"I love you, Mon," she sobbed.

"I love you too, Mare," said Monica. Some of the other women were also crying some, and the men comforted them. Scotty came up to Monica and hopped in her lap, licking her hand.

"I think Scotty is also there for you," said Charlie. Monica stroked Scotty's head and back. He wagged his tail back and forth.

"Good boy, Scotty," said Monica. Mary and Monica were happy to have the support of their friends in whatever decision they make. Monica felt like her time was running out, and if this mastectomy didn't fix things, she was ready to go out on her own terms.

THE END

Next time, Monica has her mastectomy, but what will the outcome be? Plus, Violet spends two more weeks at the halfway house, but starts looking for a place of her own so she could move immediately.