A Taste of Catholic Fiction Part 4

A preview of the book: The Arrow Bringer

Chapter 1, part 4: Unthinkable 

I can tell by the tone of his voice that he’s about to speak the words that no parent should ever have to. More than anything, I wish I could save him from that. But I can’t. All I can do is help him, so he doesn’t have to do this alone. “I already know, Dad.”

“I know you do.” He kisses me on the top of my head, having to clear his throat several times. “When Dr. Naveen first noticed the irregularity in your blood, he ordered further tests.” Dad pauses, his voice thick. “You have acute lymphocytic leukemia. It can appear sometimes in sixteen-year-olds.”

“Is it hereditary?” I ask, breaking my rule of never referencing my birth parents.

Anger burns within me when Dad nods. I’ve always resented my birth parents for giving me up. Now I hate them for doing this to me.

At last, I utter the question I’ve been dreading. “How bad is it?”

A long silence follows. Dad’s breathing becomes more ragged. “It’s serious, Evangeline.”

I finally have to look at Dad. He’s obviously a complete mess, but he manages not to cry. “How long do I have?”

“Dr. Naveen thinks it might just be a couple months.” A tear slips down his cheek. “We made an appointment for you with an oncologist on Monday afternoon. Dr. Naveen has already put you on the list to get matched with a bone marrow donor. There are several treatments we can try in the meantime… but… they’ll decrease your quality of life. And… most likely…”

I don’t want him to have to tell me. “They probably won’t work.”

Dad says nothing but pulls me into his arms as I start to cry.

(This book will be .99 on Kindle on 3-19-19)