Belong (Seven Year Itch #3)(67)

I knew her voice was going to break me; hearing it and understanding I was about to shatter her heart, yet again. “Hey sexy. Tell me you’re as excited as I am.”

“Rach,” I struggled. “I have bad news.”

I could hear shuffling before she replied. “What’s wrong? You sound terrible.”

“It’s Veronica.”

“Did she lose the baby. Chad I’m so sorry.”

If it were someone else I would have wondered about her sincerity, but I knew Rachel meant it. She was a genuine person with a heart of gold. “There was no baby.”

“What? She lied to get you home? We should have known she’d go to extremes…”

I had to stop her. “She has cancer.”

The line fell silent, as if it had been disconnected.

“Rach, say something.”

“I don’t know what to say. Did she know?”

“No. Apparently the type of cancer she has produces the pregnancy hormone. She thought she was pregnant. When the ambulance came they assumed she was miscarrying. It wasn’t until they ran tests, and did the lab work.”

“Oh my god, Chad, she must be a wreck.” Right away she was in support mode – another reason I loved her so much.

“It’s been a rough day, especially since I didn’t show up until after she received the news. I feel like an *. I haven’t gone home yet, and according to Veronica, Harper witnessed her mother bleeding all over the place. She must have so many questions, and I don’t know what to tell her. She’s too young to understand what cancer is, or what it can do to someone.”

“Are they going to start treatments right away?”

“According to Veronica, yes. Tomorrow she’ll have some more testing done by an oncologist. From there they’ll be able to see if the cancer has spread to anywhere else. I’m praying we caught it soon enough where it hasn’t. She doesn’t deserve to go through this. Veronica might be a bitch at times, but she’s a good mother.”

“Are you okay, Chad?” It was just like Rachel to ask about me in the midst of tragedy. “Have you been able to rest at all?”

“Not really. There’s too much on my mind.”

“You need to keep yourself healthy for Veronica’s sake. She’s going to need you there, alert and supportive. When you speak to Harper it can’t look like you’ve been worried or upset. You have to be strong and optimistic for both the girls.”

In all honesty, Rachel was who I needed to get me through this, but I knew she was also the last person I could allow myself to count on. “I feel like we can’t catch a break, Rach. My mind was made up. I knew where my place was, and how I was going to go about it, and then this happened. Now I don’t know how…”

She cut me off. “You’re going to be there for them, that’s what you have to do.”

“I told her I would. It’s my responsibility. I wish it could be different. I’d give anything to start my future with you, but the present won’t let it happen.”

“Stop worrying about us, Chad. Focus on them. It’s a lot to wrap your head around in only a few hours. As time passes it will be easier to come to terms with.”

“As soon as I know more I’ll call and let you know. I’m sorry I had to leave so abruptly this morning.”

“Never apologize to me. It’s not necessary. That’s your family. I’d be angry if you didn’t run after them.”

“You deserve the world, Rach. I hate that I’m not able to give it to you right now.”

“Stop it. Just worry about you. Go home and get some rest. Hug your daughter, and be in good spirits when you go back to the hospital in the morning. Veronica is going to need you to hold her hand. Cancer is a scary word, and knowing it’s growing inside of her must be a horrendously scary feeling. Don’t let her give up. She’s young and has a lot to fight for. She can beat this.”

“I love you, I hope you know that. I do, Rach. I’ve always loved you. No matter where I am, or who we’re with, it’s always going to be you. Please know that whatever happens in the near future, I will find my way back to you. I promise.”

Rachel began to cry. I could hear her sniffles and sobs on the other end of the line. “I love you too. I’m not going anywhere. As long as it takes, Chad. I’ll be here waiting for you.”



The phone call ended, mostly because I couldn’t say another word to Rachel without losing my shit. After telling Veronica I was headed home to check on Harper, I hurried through the hospital to the parking garage. Once inside the confines of my vehicle, I took a deep breath and then fell apart.

This had to be a nightmare.

Cancer.

The word repeated in my head like a broken record. With nothing left to do but support my family, I forced myself to get it together enough to make it home.

By the time I was there the sun had gone down, and the beautiful California horizon had become dark. I quietly made my way inside the home, finding our neighbor’s daughter Dani asleep on the couch. She lifted her head when I came into the room to drape a blanket over her curled up body. “Hey. How is Harper?”

“She’s okay. How is Veronica?”

“She’s going to be fine,” I lied in hopes it would turn out that way. “I’m going to get some rest and head back over to the hospital in the morning. Do you need anything? Should I call someone to relieve you?”