Chapter 18
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Saturday morning was a bustle of activity surrounding Sue's room. Carla and Bill had stopped by to check on things, as did every member of their team. Lucy brought Levi by to visit and meet Angie. Then it was time to go home. Sue was disappointed that Jack hadn't come by, but he had two new additions to his crew, and was exhausted from being at the hospital for hours on end. Tears slipped down Sue's cheek as she hugged her new friend goodbye. There was still sparkle in Angie's eyes and she promised to call Sue soon. Sue slipped a piece of paper with her phone number on it into Angie's hand. Angie smiled.
Anne made it in to escort Sue to the front door. As Lucy and Levi held the doors open Anne pushed Sue onto the side walk. Anne helped Sue out of the wheelchair, making sure she was steady on her feet. Sue wrapped her arms around Anne giving her a hug.
"Anne, thank you so much for everything you did for me. I can't tell you what you've meant to me. Thank you just isn't enough." Sue said choking up.
"Sweetie, this is my job. I love my job. I love all the gals that come through my ward needing some encouragement and sometimes just a bit of honesty." Anne said wiping her own eyes. "You're one of the lucky ones, but I knew you would be. Keep an eye on things, and if anything, and I mean anything concerns you, call your doctor. If they won't take you serious, you come see me, we'll check you out." Anne said hugging her once again.
It was the first time in days that Sue had felt the fresh air on her face. She closed her eyes to the world, said a silent 'thank you' to God for everything she had and everyone she had by her side to help her get through this ordeal. She opened her eyes just in time to see Jack pulling his car to the walkway and hopping out to open the door for her. Sue smiled and tears fell onto her cheeks.
"What?" Jack asked. "You thought I'd miss you coming home? Never!" Jack said with laughter in his voice. "Hop in." He said holding open the door. "Passenger side is best, and with Levi, I think you should sit in the front." Jack joked.
"Yeah, I think I will." Sue got into the car, Jack helped with the seatbelt while Lucy got Levi settled in the back seat.
Levi was excited to see Sue to the point that Lucy had to hold him down to keep him out of her lap. It wasn't a very long drive back to the apartment. Thankfully all of DC seemed to have gone out of the city for the weekend. When they arrived Bill jogged down the stairs to gather Sue's bags while Jack helped her up the stairs to the apartment. When she entered the living room, a banner hung that said "Welcome Home" with balloons staggered around. Carla, Tara and Donna had been working diligently to get food made for everyone that was stuffed into Lucy and Sue's home.
Sue was home a few hours when she excused herself to her room for a much needed nap. Slowly the crowd began to thin. All wishing Sue the best in messages given to her parents. Three hours later Sue awoke to find most of her friends had departed leaving Lucy and Bobby, her parents and Jack.
"Did everyone leave already?" Sue asked as she came from her room rubbing her eyes and yawning.
"Yes dear." Carla said. "They all said to give you their best, their love and to feel better. They'll be checking in with you over the week."
"Jack and Lucy worked out a schedule so you always have someone here and your mom isn't overburdened." Bobby said smiling toward Carla.
"You know I would never feel burdened taking care of you Sue." Carla said defensively.
"They didn't say you would honey. I think the kids just want to make sure that you get to relax every once in a while too." Bill interjected.
"Exactly." Jack said.
"Feel like something to eat? You hungry?" Jack asked. Sue shrugged.
"Maybe some soup?" Sue asked.
"You have impeccable timing. My chicken soup is just about done. Sit, I'll dish you up some." Carla said smiling as she pulled a ladle out and spooned out some steaming hot Mom's cure-all.
Sue nursed her bowl of chicken and rice soup as Jack and Carla explained the lineup of helpers for the following couple of days. Sue smiled, but Jack knew she wasn't processing any of the information. He caught her eye and smiled sympathetically at her. Sue gave him half a smile and sipped her broth. Bobby broke Sue out of her catatonic state by kissing her on the cheek as he got up to leave.
"Get some rest, I'll see you the day after tomorrow." He said with a wink. He walked himself out saying good night to all as he did.
"Bobby?" Sue called out. Bobby turned back to Sue. "Thanks. It means a lot." She said smiling at him.
"You bet." Bobby said as he walked out.
"Well, I'm headed to bed, I'll see you in the morning." Lucy said giving Sue a hug as she passed.
"I might not be up before you leave for grandma's." Sue teased.
"We'll see." Lucy teased back. "I'm glad you're home, missed you."
"Me too." Sue said.
Bill asked Sue if she would need them during the night. Sue shook her head telling him probably not, since she'd be asleep for most of it, God willing.
"Your mom and I are going to go then." Bill said. Carla instantly began to protest. "Carla, it's been a long day for all of us. Sue is home, settled, safe and in good hands." He said, insisting she put on her coat.
"What about the dishes?" Carla insisted.
"I'll take care of them." Jack assured her.
"But…" Carla protested once more, but Bill held her coat for her and shushed her.
"Now, honey, let's leave Sue and Jack alone for a while so we can go get some rest. We'll be back early in the morning to help. Is that OK with you Sweetheart?" He asked Sue.
"That would be great Daddy, thank you." Sue said. "Mom, go get some rest. I'll see you guys in the morning. Thank you for everything. I really appreciate it." Sue said stifling a yawn.
"Alright." Carla finally conceded. "I love you darling. If you need me, don't hesitate to call." She said.
"Thanks Mom." Sue said hugging her mom.
"I'm sure Jack can handle anything Sue might need tonight." Bill said winking in Jack's direction. This did not go unnoticed by Sue whose cheeks burned a deep red.
"Good night Mom and Dad." Sue said sternly. Bill chuckled and he and Carla walked from the apartment.
"I'm sorry." Sue said as the door latched closed.
"No worries. I like your dad." Jack said.
"Hmmm." Sue said smiling. "So, what'd you do, draw the short straw?"
"How so?" Jack asked.
"You pulled the midnight shift?" Sue asked.
"I asked for it." He explained. "I'm not ready to leave you yet."
"What about the kittens?" She asked.
"They're sacked out in your room. I hope you don't mind." He asked chuckling.
"I didn't even know they were in there." Sue admitted. "You know, I'm going to get attached to them, right?" Sue asked.
Jack smiled. He locked the door, shut off the extra lights and made his way to the kitchen. He put away the soup that was left over, and grabbed two bottles of water, and Sue's pain medication.
"I'm OK, I don't need any medicine right now, thanks." She said.
"You'll need it later. Take it before you go to bed, you'll rest easier through the night." Jack insisted.
"Thanks." Sue smiled at him, taking a pill from the bottle. Jack sat on the side of Sue, taking her hand in his. He sat back on the couch and turned on the TV. Levi walked to the side of them, followed by two fluff balls. Sue giggled when Faith climbed up the blanket covering her legs and instantly began to purr.
"Hey there cutie." Sue said petting the kitten. Levi put his head on Sue's lap and whimpered.
"I think someone is jealous." Jack joked. Sue scratched him and patted his head trying to reassure him.
"Levi knows I love him, he has no reason to be jealous." Sue reassured him. Jack slipped his fingers around hers and sat back on the couch cuddling with Hope. It wasn't long before Jack dozed on the couch next to Sue. Hope joined Faith on Sue's lap, playing for a few minutes then settling down and falling into a deep slumber. As Sue watched them sleep, her mind drifted to the meaning behind their names and to what she'd endured the past couple of weeks. It seemed nearly impossible to believe that this whole nightmare had begun less than a month earlier. She struggled to remember a time before she had cancer.
Tears flowed down Sue's cheeks. She tried to casually wipe them away so not to wake Jack. There was a pain in her chest that stabbed deep into her soul. The pain was unbearable. Sue reached over and swallowed down a pain pill. She pushed herself from the couch and made her way to bed. Levi followed, and to her surprise, so did her new furry roommates. She lay on her bed, but not before picking up the twin felines who sleepily settled on the pillow next to hers. Levi made himself comfortable at the bottom of Sue's bed. Usually he didn't sleep on the bed, but Sue couldn't shoe him away when the kittens were there.
Sue pulled her comforter up to her chin and cocooned herself, protecting herself from her memories and thoughts. The crushing sadness overtook her, and she sobbed until sleep gave some relief and claimed her.