Chapter 57

The following week, without the medicine from the treatments no longer aggravating the leukemia, and after finally having been able to express those fears and concerns that have been burdening her mind all these months to Adele…although still in a weakened condition from her illness…Nadine's feeling a little better; and is up to returning to school. And while most everybody's happy to see her back; there's a deep melancholic mood now permeating Roosevelt High. Even though everyone's known that Nadine's leukemia had returned…with the exception of a few on staff who were privy of the determined outcome…they've all been hoping that the chemotherapy would put her back into remission; especially since that's what she's been telling Adele. But now that Nadine confessed to Adele that the chemo wasn't helping and she's going to die, there's now a definite, tragic finality that could no longer be ignored, nor changed; no matter how hard one wished or hoped for. Sarah, Trish and Janice are now devastated; despite the fact that they kind of already had the unsettling feeling that she wasn't going to survive the cancer this time. They've been trying to dismiss that horrible thought from their minds; being how Nadine never came out before and spoke of her expected demise. But again, now that she revealed it to Adele, there's no denying that her fate's sealed. Eddie once again has a hard time facing Nadine; and can no longer talk to her. But it isn't due to the typical, shy awkwardness he'd succumb to before whenever she was around him. His aversion to confront her this time is brought about by heartbreak. Eddie's totally heartbroken now that he knows Nadine's going to die. And he can't bring himself to face her; since he's certain that if he does, he's going to cry. Sure, he's a self-admitted nerd, but he's still a guy nerd…and guys…especially teenage guys…just don't allow themselves to cry in front of anyone; especially those of the female persuasion. Nadine's most momentous, and totally unexpected, welcoming back came from none other than Leah VanCleef.