Chapter 28

Nadine hesitantly mutters, "Adele…I have to tell you something." She releases Adele and gloomily looks down to the floor. Adele begins scrutinizing Nadine's melancholic transformation, as her inner intuition of reading people is once again instinctively engaged. She suddenly recalls the day when she brought the food her grandmother made for the Martin's over to their home, and how they all appeared to be distracted. She remembers the look of deep concern Corrine gave Nadine as they hugged on the street outside their house when she first arrived back in town. Then later that afternoon, when she finished her ice cream in the Martin's kitchen and took her dirty bowl to the sink; she remembers looking out the window and seeing Nadine and Corrine holding hands and staring sadly into each others eyes while at the swing set. And finally, she recalls nine years earlier. "Nadine…are you sick again?" A stunned Nadine jolts her head up and views Adele tenderly looking at her. "How did you…wait…" a small smile emerges on her face, "we've been going to school together since Kindergarten…right?" Adele nods. "So; you remember when I got sick before?" "Uh-huh. We were in second grade, and you had to leave school to stay in the hospital until you got better." The two remain silent, looking at each other. Then Nadine's suddenly hit with a profound past recollection of that time spent in the hospital. "Adele? When I was in the hospital…none of my friends ever came to visit me. Not that I suppose they could have…after all, we were only seven. I realize that now…but back then, it kind of hurt. But mostly, I was sad and lonely…really lonely." She stops for a moment before continuing… "But every few days, someone would drop off freshly picked wildflowers at the Nurse's Station for me. I remember they were so beautiful. I loved them so much. It always used to cheer me up whenever they came. They sort of made it feel like I wasn't so alone after all. That someone else besides my family was there for me." Again, she briefly stops; and wonderingly stares at Adele. "But I never found out who was bringing them. All the nurses could tell me was that it was some little girl…and they didn't know who she was." Nadine becomes quiet and reverently gazes upon Adele. "Adele…was that you? Did you bring me those flowers?" Adele looks down, then back up at Nadine and nods as she faintly replies, "Yes." Tears start to trickle down Nadine's cheeks. She slowly embraces Adele and endearingly hugs her as she softly whispers in her ear… "Thank you." At Nadine's request, Cheryl isn't in attendance at this chemotherapy session. Nadine feels that Cheryl deserves, and definitely can use, some time away from having to deal with her illness. Besides, she has other companions who could accompany her to the hospital for them. Now that she's back in town, Nadine…who even though loves her mother with all her heart, and is comforted by her presence…would prefer to have Corrine with her at the treatments; although she wouldn't dare reveal this to her mom. And, now that she knows Nadine's sick, Adele's presence is also wholeheartedly welcomed by Nadine. In fact, Nadine feels equally as adamant about having Adele with her as much as Corrine. Adele has been meticulously observing Dr. Minoit insert several intravenous tubes into Nadine's arms; then watches as he calibrates the ominous monstrosity of machine they're running from to systematically deliver the proper dosage of medicine into Nadine's body. She's still having a difficult time grasping the whole concept of chemotherapy. "I don't understand…it's supposed to help Nadine get better…but it's gonna make her feel sick?" As Dr. Minoit finishes, he smiles and chuckles before admitting to Adele, "Yeah; it doesn't make much sense to me either…and I'm a doctor." He starts the machine, then explains in the simplest way he can think of, "What it basically is, Adele; it's caused by the medicine fighting the cancer in Nadine." Adele surmises, "So…when the medicine's done fighting the cancer…Nadine won't feel sick anymore…and then she'll be better." Nadine, Dr. Minoit and Corrine briefly exchange a series of quick glances to each other. Even though Adele's aware that she's sick…and that's only because she managed to figure it out on her own…Nadine doesn't want to reveal her bleak fate to her just yet. She doesn't want to burden Adele with the knowledge of her more than probable demise. Ever since discovering this herself, Nadine has determined within her mind…and heart… that before she died, she would get others to start seeing Adele for the truly wonderful person that she has discovered her to be; and also help Adele build up her self-esteem. If she could accomplish this, Nadine feels she would be able to rest in peace knowing that Adele would finally be accepted by others; and be okay even if she wasn't around to look out after her.