"I don't understand how this could happen. He was on chemo."
"Chemotherapy is targeted for the form of cancer, in order to try to reduce the impact on the patient's overall health. Which means unfortunately sometimes things like this happen.
"I want to be clear that we don't let know what we're dealing with. The probability is a tumor but it could be discrete, easy to removal surgically."
"Or it's not."
Adam nodded, "or it's not."
"Mr Roth. Mrs Roth." Dena calmly jumped in. "What we need to focus on is Leo. This is going to be a shock to him. He's going to be angry and scared. Trying to divine every possible scenario will only make things worse."
"You're right." Mrs Roth nodded, wiping away the tears she was failing to hold back.
"What now?"
"Tomorrow we'll run some tests. More detailed scans. We'll determine the best course of action once we have more information. I'll be consulting with several doctors from various hospitals. I'll find Leo the best neurological surgeon out there."
"Thank you."
Adam took a breath. "I wish I could promise you that everything is going to be fine. But I can't because I just don't know.
"But this is what I do know. Leo is one of the strongest young men I've ever met. He's already pushed through so much and shown so much strength. He's been a pillar of support for other kids, including one that came to us no family at all. I can't say that I believe in God but I do believe that if given a chance, your son can make it through this. So we're going to give him the best chance we can."
"How are we going to tell him."
"Let us do that."
"And we should do it alone." Dena added. "This is going to be a shock and it could get a little messy. No matter what the situation, no 16 year old boy wants to lose it in front of his mother. It's embarrassing."
"Okay." They nodded, perhaps relieved even.
"Do we know where Leo is?" Adam asked as they walked back into the hallway.
"Best guess, the roof." Dena caught his look. "Yes I know about the card Ruben gave them."
"I'll wait in his room. You stay here." He probably should have stayed at the desk but he really wanted a minute alone.
"Adam. What you said to Leo's parents, it was really good."
"I just told them the truth."
"I meant the other part."
"So did I."