Chapter 43

She even enjoys the cold winter temperatures; which leave a crisp, fresh clean taste in her mouth and smell in her nose. And she fancies every time she exhales, watching the breath expelled become a visible cloud majestically wafting through the air in front of her face until evaporating before her eyes. She indulges her childlike way of thinking by imagining that each breath is a piece of her spirit released into the air, which will eventually bond with nature and make her a part of the woods that she cherishes so dearly; also allowing her to be with Grandpa Joe once again. Adele truly loves spending time in the woods during the winter, just as much she loves spending time in them during every other season, and wishes she could share that experience with Nadine. But she understands why Nadine can't go outside…at least not while she's sick…and has no problem spending this winter indoors with her. Besides, she thinks to herself that they'll always have the opportunity next winter to enjoy frolicking about in the woods. Cheryl washes the vegetables for the salad while Corrine chops them and tosses the pieces into the bowl. Mother and daughter are getting along better now; though they still have a way to go yet. But at least they can be in the same room together while keeping the line of communication between them open without the conversation becoming the passing of snippy remarks back and forth until turning into a full blown argument. There is one subject, however, that they realize can cause enough friction between them to ignite a heated debate; so they avoid discussing the matter altogether…that topic being Nadine's fate. As much as the idea of it causes her great emotional distress and inner turmoil whenever it pops in her mind, Corrine has come to accept the fact that Nadine's going to die from the leukemia this time. Cheryl, though she probably also realizes this deep down inside her subconscious to be the inevitable outcome, still adamantly refuses to accept that. As easy as it is for Adele to believe that Nadine's going to get better when they tell her that; Cheryl's just as ready to accept it for the truth as well. She refuses to believe that she's going to lose her baby girl. The doorbell rings, and Cheryl goes to answer it. When she opens the door, there's a woman standing there who appears vaguely familiar to her; but she can't seem to place where she‘s seen her before. "Good evening, Mrs. Martin; my name is Audrey Harris, and I'm with the Make-A-Wish Foundation." As soon as she heard that, Cheryl immediately recollected where she had seen her before; in the Oncology Wing at the hospital. Cheryl's stunned and angered; seemingly flabbergasted by this woman's presence here at her doorstep. "You're who?" "Audrey Harris…from the Make-A-Wish Foundation." "I'm sorry…Miss Harris; was it?" The woman nods. "And you're from the Make-A-Wish Foundation?" Again, the woman nods. "I don't understand…why are you here?" "Well, Mrs. Martin; if I may come in…" She takes a step forward, but Cheryl doesn't move aside; blocking her from entering. They stare at each other in silence before she comes to the conclusion that Cheryl isn't going to invite her in. Being forewarned from Dr. Minoit about Cheryl's position taken concerning her daughter's prognosis, the woman realizes the doorstep will probably be as far as she'll be allowed; so she starts to explain the reason for this visit. "Anyway…like I said before…I'm from the Make-A-Wish Foundation; and I'm here today to offer Nadine a…" Cheryl abruptly cuts the woman off. "Excuse me…but just who sent you here?" "The hospital. They informed us about your daughter's condition; and we thought that…" "My daughter's condition?" "Yes…her leukemia." "And?" "Well…due to the severity of her case…" "Severity of her case? Miss Harris…my daughter's fine. I mean…yes; her leukemia's back again…but she's going to be fine. She's going to do the chemo, just like she did both times before when she got sick…and she's going to get rid of it…just like she did before." "Mrs. Martin…I understand that you…" There's an evident tone of indignation in her voice now. "Miss Harris…please! You're wasting both of our time here. There's no need for…" Cheryl tries to quickly calm herself before continuing. "Look, Miss Harris; I think that it's a wonderful thing that you and your organization does…I really do…honest. But you people provide last wishes to dying children…and my Nadine isn't dying. She's going to get better. So really; we don't need your services. She's not going to die. She's going to be fine." Again, there's another moment of uneasy silence between the two as the stare blankly at each other.