Chapter 3
The sound of the wagon loudly pulling into town, drew the attention of the citizens.
"Daniel," Matthew approached. "What's wrong?"
"Get your ma," he yelled.
Matthew rushed to the clinic as Daniel pulled the wagon in front; by now the town had gathered in front of the clinic with questions and concerns.
"Daniel, what's wrong?" Michaela approached.
"It's Sully," he jumped down.
Coming around the wagon, Michaela's gasped, spotting her husband lying unconscious.
"What happened?"
"Found him like this at Preston's," Daniel gathered his brother into his arms.
As Matthew waited outside, the town drew near with questions.
"He shouldn't have gone back to work," Michaela grabbed her stethoscope. "His fever was so high."
"What fever?" Daniel stood at his brother's side.
"He's been ill," was all she said.
Placing the bell of the stethoscope on his chest, she paused and listened. Moments of silenced passed and she poked and prodded on Sully's body. Feeling his abdomen, she paused worriedly.
"What is it?" Daniel inquired.
"His liver," she felt again. "It's enlarged."
She began to unbutton his shirt to get a better look and stopped suddenly. Noticing strange markings across Sully's torso, chest and abdomen.
"Michaela," Daniel noticed her expression.
She stared in shock momentarily and then suddenly went to the shelves, frantically flipped through the pages of her medical journals.
Daniel waited, knowing better than to question her in this moment; but when she looked up from the book and gazed upon her husband, Daniel could feel the anxiety weighing heavily on him.
"Oh God no," she closed the book.
"What's wrong?" Daniel stood straight.
"Oh Daniel, I hope to God I'm wrong."
XXXXX
A crowd had formed around the clinic, awaiting word from Michaela. Matthew remained outside also, but Daniel remained at his brother's side. Halfway through her examination, Michaela felt Sully stir.
"Sully," she spoke softly and his eyes began to flutter opened.
The surrounding of the clinic started to become clear. His wife and brother's figures came into view and Sully lifted his head, which felt heavy, slowly.
"Michaela," his throat was dry.
"I'm right here," she clasped his hand.
"What's going on?" He attempted to lean back on his elbows.
"Don't try to move," Michaela put a hand to his chest.
Daniel put a hand on his shoulder as well. Sully felt a sudden wave of dizziness and put a hand to his head.
Michaela rubbed his back as he willed it to pass.
"What happened?" He turned his attention to her once more.
She gave a quick, worried glance to Daniel.
"Sully," she pressed her lips together.
Sully had seen this look many times before and he mentally prepared himself for whatever news
his wife was about to break.
"I believe the symptoms you've been experiencing lately are…due to a more serious condition," she began.
"Alright," his brow furrowed.
She sighed heavily.
"Your liver is enlarged and these marks on your arm," she paused.
Sully glanced downward, he knew she realized he had been hiding the for some time.
"They are signs of a disease in which an abnormal amount of white blood cells produces, rapidly."
Michaela was now holding his hand.
"Disease?" Sully could feel his pulse quicken, but somehow his surroundings slowed.
Michaela tried to remain as strong and professional as she could, but it was near to impossible.
This wasn't a patient, it was Sully; but she had to go on.
"It's called leukemia," tears welled in her eyes. "It's a type…of cancer in the blood."
He didn't seem shocked or frightened, saddened or hurt. There was just a distance in his eyes.
Michaela wished he would have reacted, but she knew in his own way, he was.
"I'm so sorry," she drew closer.
Sully took in a slow and steady breath. He glanced at Daniel, who kept a supportive, quiet composure.
"You're sure," his voice was just a whisper.
The pain in her eyes was the her only response.
"Do the children know?" He looked away.
Michaela swallowed hard.
"Not yet," she replied.
Sully nodded and sat up straight. A small murmur of voices was heard outside the door and
Daniel volunteered to go outside.
"Daniel," Sully spoke up. "Please don't say anything."
Daniel dipped his head in understanding and stepped outside.
Michaela came around her husband and he held her hand.
"Brian's still at school," she said.
"Colleen and Andrew?" Sully began to slip on his shirt.
"He took her on a picnic," she informed.
Lowering her head, she began to button his shirt. When her hands came near his chest, Sully held them close.
"I'll talk to them," he said.
Without a word, Sully pulled her into an embrace. She cried softly and he soothingly rocked her.
Taking in a deep breath, he inhaled the scent of her sweet hair and closed his eyes, relishing her aroma.
"Everything's gonna be all right," he whispered in her ear.
Sully wasn't quite sure if he was convincing Michaela or himself, but they both needed some kind of reassurance and weren't sure where to find it.