Chapter 19

“Lily, why don’t you sit down in the corner where Angel usually sits?”

Lily tried to put up a fight but I was promising her a good surprise. I opened the door and asked Toby to come in. Toby made sure to walk past the table and have Linda follow him. Lily was awestruck by the surprise we gave her. Lily stood up and gave Linda a welcome home hug.

“Were you surprised, Lily?” I asked.

“Very much so. One of the best ways to be surprised.”

“I don’t know about anyone else but I’m hungry. And I’m in the mood for some pizza and salad.”

  Lily got up from her seat and started to serve everyone a plate. Lily’s three girls were the first to be served. Because of Angel, either I or Toby sits on the stool. Before everyone started to eat, I had something to say that everyone would agree on.

“Welcome home, mom.”

I went to give her a hug before I got comfortable with Toby and Angel. Toby wanted me to sit down knowing the side effects of the chemotherapy. He made sure that he was standing behind me. I made sure that my plate had enough food for the both of us. Knowing the food was going down my throat slowly mean that my throat isn’t enclosed anymore. I was free to feed my stomach anything I wanted. When everyone was finished eating, I decided to make my move.

“I have more news to spill but I think its best that both of you sit down.”

Hearing that come out of my mouth means that this was serious. I got up from my spot and moved near the sink. Toby followed close behind, knowing that I need his support.

“Today while getting my chemotherapy treatment, I got some news.” I started to say. “They did two ultrasounds on me and the chemotherapy cleared up the cancer.”

Lily and Linda were both shocked with the news. They both clapped and hugged me and Toby.

“But there’s more. The doctor wants me to go back tomorrow for another ultrasound to make sure that everything is good. And that’s why I asked Lily if she could throw this together in celebration.”

It was too warm to stay inside so everyone was kicked outside. My mom helped me lift the bench down so other people can sit down. Toby and I took the bench as I wanted to cuddle with him under the stars. I fell asleep on Toby and didn’t realize it until I was in my bed. My room was somewhat ready for Toby to move in. Once I have some of Toby’s belongings, I can organize from there. Toby stayed the night because I had the ultrasound in the morning. I was still wearing the clothes from the night before and so was Toby. Except he was shirtless and his shorts were showing his boxers. By looking as Toby’s eyes, I could tell how exhausted he was. After my doctor’s appointment, I was gonna let Toby sleep.

We showered together and got ready for the day. Toby was lucky enough that my old jeans fit him. I was not gonna let him wear the same outfit two days in a row. Toby was goofing about how he was wearing girl clothes. The day after tomorrow was the day that Toby was gonna start to move in. We got to the hospital twenty minutes earlier then the appointment time. Nerves were running through me while in the waiting room. They brought me to a room and brought the machine in. The ultrasound confirmed what the doctor told us yesterday. I waited until we were in the truck to let everything loose. Toby pulled me into his arms so I could cry then. On the way home, I made sure that we went to Toby’s house so he could have some clean clothes to change into and his own bed to sleep on.

Toby was getting so warm that he started to strip once he was near his room. I don’t think Toby could keep his head hit the pillow, he was out. I made sure that I was in his arms so he wouldn’t have to worry about me. Once Toby moved into a different position, I was able to ditz around his room and clean a little bit. I was surprised that Toby’s senses didn’t pick up that I was up and moving around. A couple hours later, Toby woke up just to pee as he was a bit groggy. He went back to bed while I curled up into his back. I could see a smile sneaking up on Toby’s face. The smile stayed on his face while he slept the last few hours of fatigue. He turned over to face me and to pull me close.

He didn’t want to let me go and I didn’t want him too either. But I also didn’t want to waste much time because I want to help Toby pick what he wanted to take with him. It was when I got up that Toby offered something.

“Will you spend the night here with me? I think tonight would be the perfect night to tell both of my parents your news about your health.”

You gotta love how Toby thinks sometimes. I understand that Toby’s parents are split up and I’m kinda wondering how they will do together. I told Toby to go shower and get the sleep stench off of him. He would get my answer when he returned from the shower. Sleeping over Toby’s house tonight would be the perfect idea.

“Well?” Toby retorted.

“I have a plan but I’m gonna need your help. Sleeping over tonight would be a good idea and I would love to sleep with you again.”

“What’s your plan?” Toby asked as he found a pair of clean shorts.

“I want to tell both of your parents my good news at the same time. Do you think you could talk to you mom about having your dad at dinner?”

“I don’t think she’ll mind but who knows. Who’s going to talk to my dad about this?”

“That’s going to be me as he and I need to patch things up.”

Toby came to me as he saw tears starting to form. He put his hands on my hips and looked into my eyes.

“Everything is going to be okay.  I’m promising you. Tomorrow we’re going to see your favorite artist so please be happy.”

I wiped the tears that were now starting to drip off of my cheeks. Toby pulled me into his chest which was still wet from his shower. The smell of the soap he used was pulling me in. We stayed like that for a moment before I backed away. I spotted Toby’s phone resting on the dresser.

“Do you mind if I use your phone to call your dad?” I asked.

“Of course. Why don’t you do that now while I go talk to my mom?”

We split up and did our different things. I was really lucky that Ken picked up on the first ring. He thought that it was Toby but he had to guess again.

“Ken, its Lucy. Listen, I am so sorry for the way I have been acting when I was over your house.”

“Lucy, its fine. You put yourself first before anyone else this time. I understand everything now. Toby told me that you’re a stage one stomach cancer patient.”

“Yes, I am. I was wondering if you would be able to come to dinner with Mrs. MacStar, Toby and I. We have something we need to tell you together.”

“I would love to go to dinner with you, Toby and Mrs. MacStar only if it’s alright with Mrs. MacStar.”

“Well, Ken, Toby is asking her right now while I’m speaking with you.”

“Have Toby call me when he gets the answer from her.”

“Will do.” I said as I hung up the phone.

Next, I was waiting for Toby to come back up the stairs with an answer. He returned shortly.

 “You would never believe what my mom just said.” Toby said.

“What was her answer?”

“She said we can go out to dinner if it was alright with my dad.”

This was music singing to my ears. Things were going as planned.

“Ken said for you to call him with your mom’s response.”

For a smile to appear on Toby’s face about my plan means that he’s hoping this will work out. This time, Toby and I switched places. He was going to call his dad while I went downstairs to confront his mom.

“Hey, dad. It’s Toby. Just wanted to let you know that mom is fine with meeting up for dinner.” Toby left a message.

He had to give Linda a call so she would know where I would be sleeping for the night. Toby got lucky when she answered after the second ring.

“Hi, Toby. What’s going on?”

“Nothing much. We’re going to get my parents together to tell about the good news. And I also wanted to let you know that Lucy is going to spend the night at my mom’s house with me.”

“Does she want me to get some things together?” Linda asked.

“No. Don’t worry about it because I’ll make sure that we stop by.”

“Thanks for keeping me updated.”

While on the phone, Ken was trying to get through to his son.

“Hey, Toby.” Ken said when he finally got through.

“Sorry about that. I was on the phone with Lucy’s mom.”

“Don’t worry about it. I got your message about dinner. Turns out your mom is going to dinner with us?”

“Yeah. She is. But please don’t argue like you two normally do.”

“I’ll try to be good.”

Something funky was going on and Toby could smell it. His back was towards the door when I walked it. I wasn’t trying to sneak up on him or anything like that. Toby turned around with a glassy look. That was a look that I knew all too well.

“I only want them together so I can tell them my news.”

“Lucy, I think that bringing them together will make them be what they’re old ways were.”

“I didn’t know Toby. I’m sorry. Now, I feel awful.”

“Don’t be. You didn’t know. I know both will be on their best behavior.”

I went to Toby’s dresser and found a shirt that matched Toby’s shorts. We were going to the local diner with Mrs. MacStar in her car. Nerves were starting to become the best of me. Ken was already sitting in the reserved spot for us. Toby ordered some food for both of us to share. Once the order was put in, I decided to share my news. I reached for Toby’s hand underneath the table before speaking.

“The reason we asked both of you to join us for dinner is because we have some news to share with you.”

“What type of news so you have? I have other things to get to besides sitting down and eating a meal.”

This is what Toby had feared the most and wished for his sister to also be here with him.

“What other things do you have to do, Ken?” Palacé exclaimed.

“More important things than grading papers.”

“I do NOT always have to grade papers. I also plan lessons and talk with parents.”

“HEY,” I screamed.

Both of them looked at me in surprise.

“I did not ask you two to come here to fight. I asked you to come here so I can give you some good news. If you don’t want to hear it, then leave.”

Everyone was surprised at what I had said. Both Ken and Palacé apologized for arguing.

“When I went for my chemo treatment yesterday, the doctor found that the chemicals cleared it up. We went back to the hospital this morning to confirm the findings.” I finally got around to saying.

They both congratulated me on my good news when the food arrived. I just wanted to chew and screw because I didn’t want to be around parents who argue. There was something that needed to be out in the open with both of Toby’s parents.

“I’m asking both of you two to not argue when I’m around. My parents argue when I’m around. My parents argue twenty-four/seven and I hate it. So please don’t argue in front of me, Toby or Heather.”

Toby squeezed my hand in support of what I said. We were gonna take the rest of the food home because I didn’t have an appétit anymore and neither did Toby. Food was being eaten and arguing was not being heard. Once the bill was paid, the three of us climbed into Mrs. MacStar’s car to drive to my house. I made my trip inside as quickly as possible. When we got back to Mrs. MacStar’s house, I went up to Toby’s room and locked myself in there. Toby was the only one who came in and held me tight while I cried. He picked up my body and tucked me into bed. I had phone calls that needed to be made in the morning. As soon as I went to sleep, I wanted all of the pain to go away.

 None of us moved in our sleep. The way we fell asleep was the position that I awoke in. Toby was still sleeping and I didn’t want to wake him as both of us wouldn’t get home until the next day. It was early but it wasn’t too early for me to be up. Toby slept another couple of hours before he finally woke up.

“How’d you sleep?” Toby’s groggy voice spoke.

“Alright. It wasn’t like the night before though. I’ve been mostly thinking.”

“What’ve you been thinking about? Please say it’s not about last night.”

“I’m sorry but it is. I didn’t know that when your parents are together they fight.”

“Lucy, it’s not your fault. You didn’t know. They were surprised that you welled at them.”

“Toby, my parents argue twenty-four/seven. I’m tired of it. It’s one of the reasons why they split.”

Toby had that look in his eyes that let me know how he understands. I was afraid to go down stairs and see Mrs. MacStar after what had happened. Calling Brett would have to wait until tomorrow because I don’t know his number by heart. Heather’s phone number, on the other hand, was in Toby’s contacts on his phone. It was too early to call anyone so I put it off until after breakfast was served and showers were taken. Toby allowed me to wear a pair of his shorts with the tank top I brought over. He got dressed in his boxers and another clean pair of shorts but no shirt. By that time, it was about late morning, early afternoon when I decided to call Heather.  Because both of us wanted to chat with Heather, we made sure we had the head phones so both of us can hear her. She answered her phone on the third ring.

“Heather, it’s me and Toby. You’re on the headset with us.” I explained.

“Good morning. What’s going on?

“I have some good and bad news. Which would you like to hear first?”

“What’s the bad news?”

“Lucy thought it was a good idea to bring our parents together and all they did while at dinner was argue.”

“Oh no. What was the good news she told them?”

“The good news is that I was diagnosed with stage two stomach cancer and was treated with chemotherapy. As of yesterday, I am cancer free.”

“Wow. Congratulations. Was that the reason why you were throwing up blood?”

“Yes.” I answered.

“Heather, you missed Lucy screaming at them. She was tired of hearing them bicker back and forth. They were so surprised that Lucy has vocals after the treatment she took in.” Toby said.

“Toby, they’re gonna get worse if they’re together. Lucy, don’t invite them to a social even together without me present. They were surprised that you opened your mouth.”

“I’ll make sure that I never do that again.” I said as I took the ear bud out of my ear.

I let Toby finish talking to his sister while I was anticipating this afternoon to arrive. I had to apologize to Mrs. MacStar about bringing her and Ken together. She was downstairs cleaning up the house a little bit.

“Mrs. MacStar, do you mind if we can sit down and chat?”

We sat at the kitchen table to talk.

“Last night, I didn’t know that when you and Ken get together, you guys argue. I’m sorry that I brought you guys together.”

“Lucy, it wasn’t your fault. You didn’t know. We always argue when we’re around each other.”

“Do you mind not arguing when the both of you are around me?”

“Why?”

“My parents argue and I’m tired of hearing it.”

“I’m sorry for that. I was surprised that you had a big voice. Thank you for speaking up.”

I went back upstairs and found Toby sitting on his bed. His head was down in his hands like a Tebow style. I moved his hands so my legs were in his hands. I looked down as he looked up and smiled. It was almost time to meet my mom at my house. Toby put a shirt on and wanted to snuggle until it was time to leave. His head was on my heart and was listening to the beat. A couple minutes before we left, Toby started to pack a box full of clothes. He carried that down the stairs and into his truck along with my dirty clothes. Kyle was going with his dad for the night. I’m so afraid when Toby drives one handed because it scares me of getting into an accident. We were driving behind my mom’s car when we turned onto my road. I was getting anxious to go to the concert and having Toby move in with me.

We left the box inside Toby’s truck as his truck was going to stay at my mom’s house while we’re at the concert. We had a cooler with drinks ready and we were soon on the road. Toby and I were in the backseat with Toby’s arm around my shoulder. The concert time was coming up very quickly and I was feeling the anxiety come back up. Toby grabbed my hand and pulled it up to his lips for a kiss. Linda chose a restaurant to eat at before we went to find our seats after eating.

“Are you excited?” Toby asked me.

“Yes. I’ve been waiting for this.”

The first three musicians were getting me up and on my feet. As soon as Taylor Swift started to sing, I completely lost it. I was singing along with every song that she sung. I was so hyped up from the concert that I know I wasn’t going to sleep that night. Tom was going to get the last of his belongings later on in the day. Toby and I fell asleep as soon as we got to my bed. When I woke up later in the morning, I was somewhat groggy. I was the only one up in the house. Linda was still sleeping along with Toby. His keys were on my desk along with the jewelry I wore the night before. I went out to his truck and brought in the box that contained his clothes. It was only one box but it was a start. I made sure Toby had a clean set of clothes before I cleared out the box. What I didn’t know was that Toby was watching me yet he looked like he was still sleeping.