Nobody in the Belcher family got much sleep Sunday night. Linda fell asleep but tossed and turned the entire night. Bob just lay awake staring up at the ceiling just praying he was strong enough for what his baby might be facing. At some point Linda began to cry in her sleep. He rolled over and took her in his arms. As devastating as this was going to be for him. If it were cancer, it would absolutely destroy Linda. Louise was the first to join them. Their door opened and Louise stepped inside clutching her Kuchi Kopi in a death grip, a fear on her face Bob had not seen in a long time. He could not imagine what this must be like for her. She acted so tough and so mature but even though even he forgot from time to time. She was still a child and a young one at that.
"Louise? Baby are you alright? Should we leave for the hospital early?" Linda asked, sitting up in bed.
"No but uh I am sure you guys must be just super worried about me. I mean you aren't even sleeping. So worried. I just thought maybe you would feel better. Maybe you might actually be able to get a little sleep. If I slept in here tonight." Louise rambled trying desperately to hide her own fear.
"Oh, baby you are always welcome here." Linda assured.
"Yeah, come here." Bob added rolling over to make room.
Gene was next to arrive, showing up just moments after Louise. He had always been the most sensitive of the Belcher children. At least the most outwardly sensitive. Bob and Linda were surprised he held out as long as he did.
"Mommy, daddy I am really scared about Louise." Gene admitted.
"Oh, my sweet Geneie Weanie Come here." Linda called.
"Louise is already here. Just be careful of her." Bob whispered.
Tina was the last to join. Probably knowing how scared Louise and Gene were and wanting to ensure Bob and Linda prioritized them but eventually realizing just how much she needed comfort. Tina was an excellent big sister, but she was bad about putting herself last.
"I'm sorry, I am scared. I need you guys." Tina sniffed.
"Come on join the party!" Linda called with fake enthusiasm.
"We are all scared Tina. You shouldn't have had to be afraid to ask us." Bob assured.
Louise was pressed hard against Bob's side, and he kept his arm wrapped tightly around her body. Absolutely terrified to let go. Gene was naturally curled up in Linda's arms. Tina climbed into the very center of the bed, taking Louise's hand into her own.
"I love you so much Louise. So much. Please don't have cancer." Tina begged.
"I don't think it works that way T." Louise sighed.
"I know Louise but I just really, really don't want you to be sick." Tina explained.
"I don't want to be sick either, but you heard what mom and dad said. It's probably nothing. They just want to make sure." Louise remembered.
The next morning found the Belchers simply going through the motions. Linda didn't even bother to cook breakfast. Louise could not eat anything and the rest of them weren't particularly hungry. Even Gene did not complain when Linda only put out her and Bob's "Bran New You!" diet cereal. Linda called the school and told them none of the Belcher children would be in that day. Tina and Gene insisted on going to the hospital for moral support. Bob and Linda were hesitant at first but quickly realized the entire family going was best for everyone. Given the stressful circumstances Tina was bound to have a panic attack and forcing her to remain at school in that condition just seemed cruel. They were borrowing Gayle's car until theirs got back from the body shop and Teddy had taken a job on King's Head Island that week. So, it wasn't like there was anybody else they could call in an emergency. Keeping Tina with them was the best option and Gene did not deserve to have to try and focus knowing his sister was going through surgery.
"Well, we need to get going!" Linda announced.
"Just a minute! I have to grab something!" Tina announced.
Tina opened the door to her parents' room, finding her desired item almost instantly. She was surprised that Louise hadn't asked to bring him. Maybe she was trying to be brave, but Tina knew she was going to need the comfort when the surgery was over. Especially if… if…
"TINA! We've got to go!" Bob called.
"Coming!" Tina called back.
Nobody said a word on the drive to the hospital. The Belcher children huddled as close as they safely could, Tina and Gene placed a hand on one of Louise's intwining their own fingers. The kids did not drop their group hand hold. Even as they walked into the hospital. Bob got them checked in and they were soon brought back to a small room to wait.
"If this is what they think it is. If it's bad and I do end up being really sick. Will you guys still be there for me? Because I know cancer can be kind of gross. I know I will throw up a lot and lose my hair. I know I might get sores. I might even start peeing my pants again. I know I will be really tired and weak. So not only will I be unpleasant to look at and probably smell bad, but I will also be really boring for a while. So will you guys still want anything to do with me?" Louise asked.
"Louise, I know you don't want kids but God, I hope you are able to decide not to have them, but the thing you should know. Is that when you become a parent. You sign up to have to deal with it when your kid is sick and or gross. You have to be there even if they smell bad or are unfun. Granted you don't typically have to worry about your child having cancer. I knew it could happen, but I always prayed I would never be in that boat. God, I hope I'm not in that boat, but when you are a parent. You love your child no matter what." Bob assured.
"Your father is right Louise. No matter what happens today and in the coming days. We will be there for each other." Linda added.
"Louise you are my baby sister. I have loved you since the day mom and dad told me you were coming. I have helped take care of you since you came home from the hospital. I am not going to back out just because you are sick, but maybe you aren't sick." Tina assured she hadn't even thought about any of the concerns Louise brought up but now that she had. They were heavy on her mind, and she was not sure if she would be able to be there for Louise. Not because of the vain unpleasantness but because she did not think she could stand to see her baby sister that sick.
"Yeah, Louise I am gross and smelly and I'm perfectly healthy. I would be a hippocrate if I stopped loving you because a disease made you gross." Gene added.
"Gene it's pronounced hypocrite. You know what never mind." Bob replied.
Soon after the family vowed to support Louise no matter what. A surgeon came in to take Louise back. The rest of the family was taken to a waiting room. Bob and Linda fell into chairs and tried desperately to concentrate on the tacky morning talk show that was playing on TV. Just another one of those low class. Who's the baby daddy? Junk shows. A genre Bob absolutely loathed but Linda saw as a guilty pleasure. Tina found a horse puzzle that despite being made for very small children. Was near impossible for her overwhelmed and under rested brain. Gene ever the trooper began playing robots with a boy who couldn't be older than seven.
"My sister is getting her tonsils out! She might not be able to talk for days!" Declan declared.
"Oh, that's cool." Gene replied.
"It's not that I don't like my sister, but she is fifteen it's all boys, cars, and Taylor Swift." Declan clarified.
"Hey Taylor Swift, is an icon!" Gene retorted.
"If you say so." Declan scoffed.
"My sister is having surgery too. I guess that's obvious because we are in the pediatric surgical waiting room." Gene explained.
"What's she having done?" Declan asked.
"Gene remembers he is just a little boy. Don't get too graphic." Bob whispered.
"She has a bad lump in her tummy that has to come out." Gene explained.
"That sounds scary." Declan commented.
"It is because even though she is my little sister. She has always felt like the bigger one. I don't like that she is sick." Gene sobbed.
"She will be OK, Gene." Declan assured.
Back at Wagstaff Zeke had noticed Tina's absence almost immediately. He didn't want to say he noticed her every move. That sounded creepy as hell, but he definitely noticed when she was not around. Still, he did not think too much of it at first. Despite living just, a short walk away from the school. The Belcher children were frequently late. Ms. Jacobson took roll after the morning announcements, quietly mentioning that Tina was absent for the day. That was when Zeke began to worry. Tina and her family had been in a car accident sometime over the weekend. Zeke didn't know much about it; he just recognized their car. When he showed up for his shift on Sunday evening. He had asked everybody about it but the best they could offer was that it happened the day before. He wanted to call Tina right away but there was a ton of work to be done and besides the damage did not look that bad. He figured he could just check on her in school the next day. Except she did not show up. The lunch bell rang, and Zeke purposefully hung back, waiting until he was sure the last student was gone. Before approaching Ms. Jacobson's desk.
"Yo! Ms. Jacobson! We're still tight, right?" Zeke questioned.
"Yes, Zeke we are tight. What did you do this time?" Ms. Jacobson sighed.
"I didn't do nothin' this time. I just have a question for ya." Zeke assured.
"Ask it and then please get to lunch. This is the only thirty minutes peace I get in a day." Ms. Jacobson insisted.
"Where is Tina? Why is she out today?" Zeke demanded.
"Look, Zeke I know you care about Tina, but I cannot divulge her personal information. All I can say is that it was some sort of personal emergency. Call her when you get home." Ms. Jacobson explained.
Zeke sighed and walked silently to the cafeteria. He knew that Ms. Jacobson was just following the strict protocol a teacher had to follow. They couldn't be giving out a student's information, still he needed to know. He did his best to get through the day knowing he would be calling Tina the instant he got home. If he didn't have to babysit his half-brother, he would be going straight to the Belcher's place. He knew he could check on Tina in just a few hours but was not soon enough.
Recess rolled around and Zeke eagerly raced to the playground. Ms. Jacobson couldn't divulge more than it being a personal emergency. She could not even say if Gene or Louise were present that day. Zeke did not see them at lunch but that did not mean much. In his eagerness to check on Tina. He did not see the open locker until it was too late. He collided hard with the metal, having felt that pain before. He knew right away his nose was broken.
"Are you OK, Zeke?" A seventh grader asked.
"I'm fine I just got ta get to the nurse." Zeke replied.
"Do you want me to walk you?" The girl asked.
"No, I'm good." Zeke assured.
"Here at least take these. Otherwise, you'll bleed all over everything." The girl insisted handing Zeke a wad of tissues.
"Thanks" Zeke replied.
Zeke pressed the tissues to his face and made a beeline for the nurse's office. This accident was a blessing in disguise. Nurse Liz had prison rules in her office. You get one phone call. Zeke knew from experience there wasn't much to be done for a broken nose. Just get the bleeding under control. If he couldn't he'd be stuck going to the hospital, but he hoped that didn't happen. There wasn't much to be done. So, no real sense calling his family. What he could do, however, was use this opportunity to call Tina and make sure she was alright. He noticed Regular Sized Rudy sitting on the bed in the nurse's office with some sort of machine hooked to his face.
"Hi Zeke" Rudy greeted.
"What's up, Rudy?" Zeke cried.
"Not my oxygen levels. This haze is killing me." Rudy wheezed.
"It ain't fun for me. I can't imagine how it must be for you. So whatcha got there?" Zeke wondered.
"Breathing treatment." Rudy replied.
"Does it hurt?" Zeke asked.
"Nah it's just annoying." Rudy assured.
"Hey, Rudy, I got a question for ya." Zeke declared.
"Shoot" Rudy replied.
"Has Louise said anything about Tina today? She's out and I'm mighty worried." Zeke questioned.
"Actually, Louise is out today too." Rudy replied.
"She is?" Zeke gasped now he was really worried.
"Yeah" Rudy sighed.
"Well, ya are a lot closer to Louise than I am to Tina. Did she tell ya anything?" Zeke questioned.
"No wait oh dear." Rudy sighed.
"What's wrong?" Zeke demanded.
"I saw Louise on Saturday. The haze gave me a bad asthma attack. My dad made me go to the hospital. I saw Louise there." Rudy explained.
"Louise was in the hospital?" Zeke gasped maybe the accident was worse than he thought.
"Yeah, uh she said her family was in a car accident. They were all OK, but Louise's stomach was hurting, and she had to be checked." Rudy explained.
In an instant Zeke went from just a little concerned to full on scared to death. Louise was in the hospital for stomach pain? What if it were her appendix? What if she had internal bleeding? What if? He knew how close the Belcher siblings were. If anything were to happen to Louise it would absolutely destroy Tina.
At the hospital the hours were ticking by. Linda could no longer control her emotions and was a blubbering mess. Bob found himself pacing the floor and taking sharp breaths to keep himself from running back to the operating room and seeing what the hell was going on. Tina sat in the fetal position on this strange seat that resembled a sleeper sofa but without the couch part. She had already had a panic attack. Now she was just numb. Declan's sister' surgery had ended, and they had left. He had told other kids how much fun Gene was, but his heart was not in it anymore. He just lay on his back mindlessly spinning the wheels of a sticky toy car.
"Belcher family?" The surgeon who had taken Louise back called.
"That's us" Bob replied.
Dr. Fielder tried to make Tina and Gene stay in the waiting room but there was no way the Belcher siblings were going to stay in a waiting room. While their parents found out if their baby sister had cancer. This was the type of news they wanted to hear from the horse's mouth. Dr. Fielder quickly gave up the fight and escorted the family down another narrow, dismal hall to another cramped office.
"Mr. and Mrs. Belcher, Tina and Gene." Dr. Fielder sighed.
"Oh God! It's bad isn't it! Oh God!" Linda cried.
"The good news is that we were able to remove the entire tumor. However, we were unable to save the ovary. Now for the bad news. I am afraid that preliminary tests show that the mass was in fact cancerous." Dr. Fielder explained.
"But you got it all? So, she is going to be fine? Maybe a few rounds or precautionary chemo or even just radiation and she will be good as new?" Bob hoped.
"I am sorry, but the cancer has already spread to the surrounding lymph nodes. We also biopsied the spots on her stomach and liver. They were cancerous as well. We have sent the mass and the other samples off for further testing. To determine the exact type of cancer we are dealing with. We should have those results back in three to five days. Once we know what we are facing. We will want to start her on the appropriate treatments right away." Dr. Fielder explained.
"Oh My God! My baby has cancer! My baby has cancer! Oh, this isn't happening! This isn't happening!" Linda cried.
"Tina" Gene squeaked taking his big sister's hand.
"Oh no! No! No!" Tina sobbed.
"This can't be real. This has to be a nightmare. I can't be going through this again. Not with my baby. There has to be a mistake. There just has to be." Bob cried.
"Bobby" Linda sniffed.
"I know" Bob whispered.
FLASHBACK
Bob paced nervously around his room. His parents had gone to the doctor. They were going to get the results of the medical tests his mom had got the week before. They would not let him go with them. In fact, they were completely shutting him out of any medical talk. Bob knew his mom hated to see him upset and was just trying to protect him but keeping it from him. Just made things feel worse.
"Bobby! Come down here right now please!" Big Bob called.
Bob complied, walking downstairs to where his parents were waiting. His mom sat on the couch, her face sullen, she looked away, but he could tell that she had been crying. His dad's eyes were red as well and he was flicking his hands the way he always did when he was stressed.
"How did it go at the doctors?" Bob asked.
"Bobby there is no easy way to say this. So, I am just going to be blunt. Your mom has cancer." Big Bob explained.
"Cancer?" Bob gasped.
"Yes, son in my ovaries. I am going to have surgery on Wednesday." Lily explained.
"But people die from cancer. Henry's wife died of cancer. Grandma Alice died of cancer. Uncle Billy too." Bob sobbed.
"People die of cancer, but your mom is going to be OK." Big Bob assured.
"Don't lie to him Robert. You heard what the doctor said. My chances are not good. I am sorry Bobby. I am going to die." Lily explained through tears.
"No!" Bobby cried.
"See now look what you did! God Lily I am so sorry. This is a lot from me. I uh I need to get to the diner." Big Bob rambled.
"It's OK. We will get through. I am going to make sure of that and I probably don't have long left. So, I am going to make the best of what I have with my Bobbys." Lily assured.
"I know Lily." Big Bob whispered.
"Please don't die, mommy." Bob begged.