Chapter 16

Nadine remains deafly quiet, displaying no facial indication of an emotional response whatsoever. She looks almost like a deer entranced by the headlights of an oncoming car ready to smack into it. Meanwhile, Cheryl, who still refuses to accept the inescapable finality of the results, quickly takes a resolute stand. She looks to Nadine, "Alright…we beat this thing twice before; and we'll beat it again…" then turns to Dr. Minoit, "How soon can we start chemotherapy?" He starts to try to explain the severity of her condition, "Cheryl; you have to understand…this is Nadine's third bout with leukemia. Her blood work already indicates…" An obstinate Cheryl sharply rebuts, "But the chemo worked before…and it can work again; right?" There's no immediate response from him; and Cheryl once again demands a reaffirmation from the doctor. "Right?" He hedges, "I suppose. Again; there are no hard set rules when…" Cheryl abruptly cuts him off. "Fine…when do we start?" He looks down and reviews the appointment calendar on his desk blotter before suggesting, "How about next Tuesday?" "Tuesday…we'll see you then." Cheryl stands and first looks to her daughter, "Come on, Nadine, honey; let's go," then to Dr. Minoit, "Goodbye." "Goodbye." Nadine slowly gets up, purposely leaving her purse sitting on the floor beside the chair; then somberly follows Cheryl out. Once in the Reception area, she informs her mother… "Oh, Mom…I forgot my purse in Dr. Minoit's office. I have to go back and get it." "Okay; I'll wait for…" "I'll just be a minute. I'll meet you out at the car; okay?" "Alright." Cheryl leaves. Nadine walks back and knocks on the office door. Dr. Minoit opens the door; holding Nadine's purse. "I take it you leaving your purse behind wasn't an accident?" As she takes her purse, "No." There's a brief period of silence before she asks, "Dr. Minoit…my mom…she's convinced in her mind that I can beat it again with the chemo. What do you think?" He unconvincingly replies, "Well, Nadine…like your mom said; you beat it twice before…so there's always the possibility…" Nadine wants the truth; not false hope. "Dr. Minoit…please…just give it to me straight. What are my chances of beating it again?" He looks at her despairingly as he confesses, "It doesn't look good, kiddo. Sorry." Nadine gently nods her head; immediately and graciously resigning to her fate. "That's okay. Thank you." Dr. Minoit sorrowfully watches Nadine as she leaves. Adele merrily skips up the Martin's front walkway, frivolously swaying a picnic basket at her side, then enthusiastically raps on their front door; delivering a rapid series of taps…sort of like Thumper excitedly twitching his foot when he gets happy. Cheryl opens the door, and is exuberantly greeted by Adele. "Hi, Mrs. Martin;" she prominently displays the basket, "here's some food my Grandma made for you." Still reeling over the recent news of her daughter's condition, a somewhat distracted Cheryl dazedly takes the basket and monotonically replies, "That was nice of her…be sure to thank her for me, Adele." "I will." Adele tilts her head slightly to the side to see behind Cheryl, and peers inside. "Is Nadine home, Mrs. Martin?" It appears as if Cheryl suddenly becomes cognizant of Adele's presence. "I'm sorry; where are my manners…come in, honey." Adele enters, and Cheryl closes the door while announcing, "Nadine; Adele's here." As they enter the living room, Nadine gets up and goes to Adele. "Hey, Adele;" she points out David; who's sitting stoically on the couch, "that's my dad. Dad; this is Adele." Also highly upset over the news concerning his daughter, he responds aloofly, "Hello." "Hi, Mr. Martin; it's very nice to meet you, sir." Adele turns to Nadine. "I brought over some food. There's fried catfish and collard greens and corn bread. Remember the other week…you said it smelled good…so my Grandma made some for you and your parents to…" Adele notices that Nadine and her parents seem distracted, and begins to think that something's troubling them. And now, Adele feels that something's not right in the Martin household.