Chapter 18

At first, I let the water run the chlorine out of my hair before I washed it. We were kinda pressed for time but I’m hoping we’re not late to pick up Kyle. I got dressed in the bathroom while Toby took his shower in the same bathroom. I pulled the towel off of my head once Toby got out of the shower. I enjoy seeing Toby naked especially when he’s fresh out of the shower. Knowing that I love his chest, he pulled me into his wet body. Instead of putting my head on his shoulder, I put my head close to his lips which means I had to stand on my tip toes. I playfully slapped him so I could finish getting ready and he could get dressed. About five minutes later, I was ready.

Toby was the procrastinator in the case. When he finally got dressed, that was when we got on the road to go to my house. My mom’s car was there but it wasn’t there in the past. It was Toby who noticed it as I fell asleep on the way home. When I woke up, I noticed that Toby parked on the street instead of in the driveway. That seemed a bit odd to me. Toby waited for me to become awake before he unlocked the door. To be on the safe side, Toby walked around to the passenger side to help me out. I felt a lot better once I took a nap.

Holding my waist, Toby walked step to step until we were inside the house. I always look down when I walk but once I was in the house, I looked up. I could’ve sworn my knees were going to buckle any moment. My mom was in uniform sitting on the couch.

“Mom?”

“Yes.” She answered.

“OMG.”

I started to cry as I went into my mom’s arms. I buried my head onto her shoulder as I was taller than her. It felt really good to have her back but there was something that I needed to tell her.

“There’s something you need to know.” I said as I pulled back.

There was something that I had to say that Toby made sure to grab my hand for support. Not only did the scars on my arms disappoint my mom, she was about to be more disappointed.

“Mom, I have…” I started to say before getting cut in and out by my voice. “Mom, I was diagnosed with stage two stomach cancer. They’re treating me every day with chemotherapy.”

Once she heard it from me, she was in tears. My hand removed itself from Toby’s and went around his waist while his arm went around my shoulders. I held out a hand for my mom to take. She looked at me with her green eyes, shocked.

“Have you met with your father yet?”

“No, but he and I have had some contact via phone. We’re just sticking to talking on the phone because of the cancer.”

“When will you meet him?”

“Sometime in July maybe. Both of us want to make sure that the cancer has cleared. Are you excited to surprise Kyle? How long are you back for? I’m just curious.”

“I actually wanted to see both of my children at the same time but I’m anticipating seeing him. I’m only here for a month and then they’re going to deploy me.”

I was excited to have my mom back. It was time to go get Kyle and Toby was going to stay with Linda. I had a funny feeling that they were going to talk.

“She and I had to break up because she felt that I couldn’t handle her and her medical problems.” Toby started to say.

“Toby, Lucy was doing what was best for her and for Kyle. Lucy wouldn’t just decide this out of the blue.”

“Two things that she has surprised me with is me moving in with her and wanting to start a family. I want the same thing.”

“You do realize that you’re too young to have children. Both of you need to grow up a bit.” Linda concluded.

“I want you to watch Lucy tonight and see how much of a mom she is to Kyle before you say we’re too young to raise a child.”

Kyle and I went through a regular routine for the rest of the night. But I had to have Linda watch Kyle while I went to the hospital for my chemotherapy appointment. They also did an ultra sound to see if there was a tumor and if it’s huge or little. That was when they would tell me if I needed surgery or not. I don’t know why but I’m always quiet when the chemotherapy is going into me. I ended up falling asleep while the IV was going.

The doctors had delivered Toby some good news. He wouldn’t tell anyone my news until we were both in the car.

“The doctor told me before you woke up from your nap that there is a tumor on the lower part of your stomach organ. The chemotherapy all this week should clear it up as the doctor downgraded you to a stage one stomach cancer patient.”

My eyes lit up in excitement as that was wicked good news. I’m really hoping that this will all go away and never come back. When we got back to my house, I was excited to tell the good news. Toby opened the front door for me as he wanted to make sure that I was alright to be on my own. Truthfully, I was starting to get a bit dizzy but I was near the couch. I was also exhausted but life was taking its toll.

“I think I have some good news to tell you, mom. I just found out while getting treatment.”  

“And what is that?” Linda asked.

“The doctor did find a tumor that is growing on my stomach organ. They also said that with the chemotherapy treatment, it should take that away. And they downgraded my cancer to a stage one as the chemotherapy seems to be working.”

My mom was so happy for me and it showed. I had to sit down on the couch because the dizziness was starting to hurt. It was getting close to my bedtime and to Kyle’s also as his last day is tomorrow. Linda tucked both of us in and Toby was gonna leave for the night. In the morning, I was gonna call Brett and tell him the good news. Later on tomorrow night, I have to ask my mom about Toby moving in. I was exhausted and tried to fall asleep but apparently, I was wide awake. Tomorrow was gonna be a mom and daughter day as we haven’t had this time in a while. I let my mind think while my eyes slowly closed.

It was quiet when I woke up. There was no noise from Kyle’s room or my mom’s room. I was surprised that I was up and alert but I think it’s because of the mom instincts. Toby was going to spend the day with me and my mom. I’m guessing that my mom took Kyle to school because her car wasn’t in the driveway but Toby’s was. He was relaxing on the couch when he caught the first sight of me.

“How are you feeling?”

“I feel much better after I sleep. Like I’m refreshed for now but later, I will be exhausted.”

I sat down next to Toby before he answered the statement I said.

“Well, make sure that on Sunday you get a lot of rest as your mom got three front row tickets to go see your favorite artist.”

My mind just blew my head off. I made sure I was sitting in between Toby’s legs as I was giving him a hug. Toby loves to admire me because of the illness I had. My mom returned shortly with breakfast for the three of us. She walked in and saw us lovebirds hanging out. I think that was the first time she saw us spending time with each other. This was the first time that my stomach was grumbling for food. Both Toby and I had to be careful as eating too fast would cause me to puke everything up. After breakfast, Toby pulled out his black phone as he needed to call Ken.

“Once you’re done eating breakfast and get ready, we’re going to the beach and then the spa.”

When Linda finished speaking, Toby reentered the room with news of his own. We had to go to Toby’s mom’s house because that was where our bathing suits were and Toby was going there now. I showered and threw on a pair of shorts with a tank top. I take so long to get ready that Toby got back when I finished putting on my clothes. Linda never likes to go to the beach and tan. But apparently she wants some color before she deploys. Linda was the one who drove us to the closest beach. We spread our towels out and I lay on my back to get more color there. My mom had sunglasses on as she was lying on her back. All three of us were letting the sun color our bodies. We made sure that we left the beach when the sun was high in the sky as we didn’t want to get bad sunburn. Linda drove us back to the house so we could all shower and get the sand off of us. Toby and I showered together to save water and to make sure all the sand was off. Then, we got dressed in the clothes we wore before changing into our bathing suits. Toby pulled me close before leaving for Ken’s house as they needed to talk about some unfinished business. I couldn’t deal with just a hug so instead, I kissed him.

My mom and I went to the spa as Toby went to Ken’s house. He knocked on the door as he wasn’t sure if his dad was awake or not. The door opened after Toby’s third knock.

“Hey, dad.” Toby called out.

“In the bedroom.”

Toby went to his father’s room to finish what was started on the way to his dad’s bedroom, Toby was figuring out how to word his saying.

“Do you remember when Lucy was over and she asked you if it was alright with you if I move in with her?”

“Yes, I do remember that. I never gave her an answer because I wanted to get your feelings on this one.”

“I would be extremely happy if I could live with her. Especially with the condition she is in.”

“What condition?” Ken had a puzzled look.

“Lucy was diagnosed with stage two, now one, stomach cancer. She’s being treated with chemotherapy.”

“Wow. That explains all the symptoms she has had. Well, since your mother said you can move in, I guess I can let you move in.”

Toby’s face lit up when he responded to what Ken was saying.

“You’re serious, right?”

“Yes, Toby, I am serious. I’m curious though. Where will you be sleeping/living?” Ken asked.

“I will most likely be sleeping in her bed with her. She enjoys that so it wouldn’t be a problem. And I’ll probably will be living in her room. Her mom just got back from basic training and will be deploying next month. “

“Why don’t you go share the news with Lucy?” Ken suggested.

Toby didn’t need to be told twice before entering his truck. My mom and I were on our way back from the spa as Kyle’s school is getting ready to be released early for summer break.

“Hey, mom. Can I ask you something?”

“Yes. You can ask me anything you want.”

“What would you say if Toby moved in with me?” I asked.

“I would say that it would be alright with me. He would be able to help you out when I’m not here and I approve of it.”

This was news that I could share with Toby. We pulled into the driveway when I saw Toby’s truck already pulled up.  Linda went straight to the bus stop to wait for the bus. Toby was sitting in the truck when I found him. I climbed into the bed of the truck, hinting for Toby to follow. He finished up sending his text message before coming to me.

“I have some good news for you”

“Really? I have good news also but you tell first.”

I was eager to tell Toby my news.

“Both of my parents have agreed to let me move in with you.”

That was the most exciting news that I have ever heard.

“Well, Linda said it was okay for you to move in. I’m excited for you to be at my house permanently.”

Toby moved over to where I was sitting and climbed in my lap. My arms went around his shoulders. But I did bury my head into his shoulder. It was Kyle who interrupted us as he walked from the bus stop. The first step for Toby to move in is for me to clear space for Toby’s things. It was the first thing I had to start on today. I would be able to start a little before going to my chemotherapy appointment. Toby was trying to help but instead he ended up watching me work until I started to get exhausted. Before I knew it, Toby got his truck ready to take a trip to the hospital. Every time I’m at the hospital, they always monitor how the treatment is going and if the tumor is getting smaller. This time around, the chemotherapy was making me puke normally. In all of the days of treatment, this has never happened. According to the recent ultrasound, the tumor is getting smaller and smaller. The doctor has been really proud of my progress and told me that I needed at least one more day of treatment.

When we got back to my house, I was so wiped out of energy. Toby carried me inside and put me on my bed. All I needed was to lie down and regain some energy. Because of the regular vomit, I was only asking for some crackers to snack on. Tomorrow’s plans were to finish clearing out my room so Toby can move in after we go see my favorite artist. Toby couldn’t stay long tonight because he had to go deal with something at his mom’s. For the rest of the night, I was watching television and let Linda take over the mom things as I was very weak. The time flew by fast and I was starting to drift off to sleep with the television on.

The next morning I awoke, I felt energized and not tired. There was still a lot more cleaning that needs to be done and hopefully by today, it could be done. I was hoping that today was my last day of treatment but only my body would be able to tell. Toby needed to figure out what he wanted to take with him. It was what he needed his mom for as this was all new to him. As much as his parents didn’t want him to move out just yet, it was something he had to do. I was taking it easy for the next two days as I’m looking forward to the concert. We were going to see Taylor Swift. She was my idol but Toby wasn’t too fond of her.

I was watching movies all day while relaxing until Toby came to get me. For once, I wasn’t being yelled at for lying around all day. My stomach wasn’t making any noises as it was content with what was digesting inside of me. My mom and I were finishing up a movie that was being featured on the television when Toby arrived. Standing in the doorway, Toby was wearing his favorite sunglasses with his hat on backwards. He came over to where I was lying on the couch. I was somewhat tired but I wasn’t gonna let exhaustion get the best of me. Toby made sure I was fine to walk by having me walk to him. I pushed up on my tip toes and held his head as I pressed my soft lips against his. He took all of the emotion he was feeling and put it into his response of the kiss. A smile came out of the end.

“You ready?” Toby asked.

I put a pair of flip flops on and followed Toby to his truck. I am so lucky to have him as my boyfriend. The day after the concert is when my stepdad is going to officially move out. I was in such a good mood because I knew something good was going to happen. One thing that Toby hates while in his truck is me switching the stations on him. He had the rock stations set but I was in the mood to sing along to my favorite songs. I pushed the number three to change the station to country so I could sing at the top of my lungs. Once we got to the hospital, Toby and I walked in together holding hands. I am so lucky that I haven’t lost any of my hair from the chemotherapy treatment.

The only things I have lost are my strength and appetite. Trisha got my IV of chemo into me to get a jump start on things. About an hour later, the doctor came in to do a quick ultrasound. The doctor went over the area where the stomach organ was. Only a tiny piece of tumor was still there and the doctor promised that it should be gone by tomorrow. Do not ask me why I know how something is gonna happen before it happens. All I can tell you is that I have no idea. Toby was holding my hand while the chemicals were dripping into the third hour of treatment. The doctor had wanted to do one more ultrasound before I leave the hospital today. When they did the second ultrasound, the doctor found no piece of tumor at the end of the stomach organ.

“We have some very good news.” The doctor confirmed.

“Is the cancer gone?” I questioned.

A smile appeared on both the doctor’s face and Toby’s.

I started to freak out a little because I was so happy. I was finally cancer free. But to be sure, the doctor wants me to have one last ultrasound to make sure. We let the IV finish dripping before Trisha released me. This was something to celebrate with my family and Toby’s. I may have been weak when I entered Toby’s truck but I was excited to share my news. The first person I told was Lily because I want to tell everyone the news all at once. I was lucky that it was her who answered her home phone.

“Hey, Lily.”

“Hi, how are you?” she asked. 

  “I have some good news but I was wondering if you could order some pizza and invite Kyle over. I’m on my way back and have a surprise for you.”

“Of course, I can. Do you want me to order some salad also?”

“Yes. Thank you, Lily. You’re gonna be really surprised when you see what I have in store.”       

Toby only continued to smile while he was traveling through my neighborhood. I had asked him to park in my driveway so we could get Linda and Kyle. I’m very surprised that Lily has not picked up on my mom’s car being in the driveway. I had Toby get Linda and Kyle top come outside so we can head to Lily’s. It was imperative for me and Kyle to head in first as we didn’t want to ruin the surprise. As we walked up Lily’s driveway, I showed Toby where to stand with Linda. The adrenaline was starting to kick in that I didn’t even think about giving Toby a quick kiss before leaving. He caught me off guard and kissed me short and hard. Kyle knocked on Lily’s door when I got to him. Lily unlocked the door for both of us as we entered the house. I was hoping I didn’t blow my cover.