I was quite surprise when I saw Luis in front of my door the next day. It was Sunday.
Surely this man had other things to do then to visit an old friend on his free day ? He had a michievous grin on his face and he was hiding something behind him.
"Hello," I said.
"Hello, " he replied, his grin getting wider.
Curious, I asked him what he had behind him. Like a little boy he smiled shyly and pulled out his hand.
Ok, this was the second time that I was speechless. It was a rose. Not was not just a rose, it was handmade , very identical to the one he had given me on the last day of school. His mother had made it so that he can give to me. The petals were made of red wool, soft and warm with real rose scent to it. I couldn't help laughing at Luis , he had the exact same expression when he had given me the rose on my last day at Alcott. He was blushing, looking bashfully on the ground with his left leg shuffling from left to right. Without thinking I I gave him a peck on the cheek and pulled away quickly , surprised at my boldness. Luis didn't seem to mind. He took my hand and led me to the ca.
"Where are we going?"
"You'll see, " he replied shortly . I didn't argue and lay back n the seat looking at the sky as the roof of his BMW convertible automatically folded back. It was beautiful day. Cheesy as it sound but I felt like belting to ' Oh what a Beautiful Morning, " but stopped myself, my vocal cord was less than desirable and I didn't want to thwart heavens above by sending us thunderstorms on this glorious day!
We stopped in front of a playground . It was still early in the morning, the playground was empty. Luis pulled me to the swings . There was a stack of newspaper , a bowl of water, a tub of glue, a box of water color and a row of glass plates laying in front of it. Luis sat on the swing.
"What's all of this?" I asked, looking at the items.
"Have you forgotten? Grade 1, you were crying because our class teacher didn't elect you to be in the paper mache group and i had to comfort you after class. We were sitting at the swings and I promised that you'll get your chance one day. Well, today is your lucky day. I'm going to teach you, " said Luis getting off the swing and his sleeves. I had forgotten that.....Ooooooooohhh.
Luis pulled me on my knees in front of the items and started shredding the newspapers. Most of the newspaper shreds ended up on us instead on our little projects as we playfully threaten each other with the paste. Even the little kids that came to the park with their parents joined us and soon we were surrounded by squealing children , everyone happily helping on the paper mache project.
We finished everything up by afternoon. I was pretty proud on all of our work , there was a row of mangled mache bowls with colorful designs and fingerprints. Luis shirt which was cream in color was now rainbow color. I had so many papers and paint on my that Luis nicknamed me Unicorn Janey.
"Ok, someone's Miss Happy," teased my sister when I got home that night. I just smiled. I was smiling when I was brushing my teeth and I was still smiling when I got into bed.....
I woke up the next morning feeling my pillow wet.
Was I crying last night?
I sat up drowsily and looked at my pillow. It was soaked with blood!
I was so startled. I felt my nose, it wasstill dripping blood. I stared a the thick red liquid on my finger.
I heard my bedroom door open and saw my little nephew come into the room. He was dragging his worn out teddy bear behind him. He looked at me cheerfully and when he saw the blood, his facial expression changed to horror.
He gave an ear piercing screech...
"Mommy! Aunt Janey's bleeding!"
I looked a the row of lights above me as I was rolled into the operation room. The doctor's words rang into my ear, nasal cavity cancer-malignant - surgery needed. The cancer is growing rapidly.
I looked confused at the doctor trying to digest his words. Didn't the doctor tell me not to worry on my first check-up when my nose started to bleed? A cut on the lower septum wall of the nose caused by extensive blowing and rubbing ( I had sinus problem and it was itchy)wasn't that his words?
But as the doctor's words finally sank in , I felt a cold chill crept all over my body. I looked at the X-ray chart without comprehending what I was looking, as if a dark cloud had covered all senses.
The first thing that I could think of was Luis. I wanted to talk to Luis. I sat on the hospital bed trying to get in touch with him before the surgery. I wanted him to make me feel better that it was just a routine surgery . That the tumor was just a small dot in my nostril. Everything was okay, I wanted his assurance even though I had the support of my whole family there.
"The number you call is out off service area." The machine repeated again and again.
As the time drew nearer, a feeling of sadness swept over me.
"I'm going to be okay, " I smiled bravely to my family and ushered them out of the room while waiting for the surgery. As soon as the door closed behind them, I couldn't stop the tears from falling out. It was like a dam had broken. I couldn't even stop .
After a good fifteen minutes of waterfall, I washed my face and tried to calm down. I had already gotten into the hospital gown when the nurses came into the room.
The last image that I saw when I counted backwards and my vision grew hazy , was that little boy standing at the school gate with his goofy grin, one hand in his pocket and the other hand waving goodbye.....
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