"Please, Allie! I will buy you lunch and drinks after," Jennifer begged.
Jennifer and Allie had been friends for a few months. They met at the hospital when they were both receiving chemotherapy. Allie had been diagnosed with cervical cancer earlier in the year and had responded well to treatment. Jennifer, however, battled breast cancer for several years and was preparing to undergo a double mastectomy. Jennifer was referred to a Catholic church in town that had a counseling program for cancer patients and survivors
"Jenn, I really want to help, but church is not my thing," Allie replied. She was raised by working parents and never went to church as a child or an adult.
"Allie, if I have to go alone I will freak out and not go. You are the only one I have that understands. It's not like you have to convert or become a nun! Just sit through one service with me and then listen to me whine about my carcinoma and my boobs...or soon to be lack there of. We will go to that place you like where they do the flaming shots after."
Allie sighed and said, "I do love those flaming shots. And the waiters that bring them to us."
"Yay!! I'll pick you up in a half hour!" Jennifer yelled before hanging up.
Allie threw her phone on the couch next to her and looked down at her bare legs. "What the hell do I wear to church?" she thought out loud. She decided on the longest dress she had since all her others were basically made for clubbing. She wasn't exactly modest and liked showing off her body.
Jennifer was right on time and laughed as Allie plopped herself into the passenger side of her Volvo. "Nice dress. I didn't know you had anything so..."Jennifer paused.
"So not a stripper outfit?" Allie scowled.
Jennifer laughed and said, "I was going to say conservative."
Allie played solitaire on her phone through the whole service. She also texted a guy she was talking to and asked if he wanted to get together that night. Allie hadn't been with anyone since she broke up with her ex two years ago. Since she was done with her chemo and she was in remission she was feeling a lot better and was looking forward to being intimate with someone again. In fact, it seemed to be all she thought about. She had even downloaded porn for the first time in her life and watched it quite often, masturbating daily. She was really hoping the guy she was texting would be available soon so she could relieve some of the sexual tension, but he told her that he was out of town for a while. "Great," she thought.
After the service and the disappointment, they waited in the back of the church for the priest that would be speaking with Jennifer. After about 20 minutes the place cleared out and an older priest came over to them and led them to a small office. He gave Jennifer some papers to fill out while they waited for the other guy.
"Don't you feel weird talking to an old man priest about your tits?" Allie blurted out as she watched Jenn scribbling on the forms.
"Really, Allie?"
Allie shrugged and went back to playing on her phone.
After a few minutes a handsome man in his 30's came in and sat at the desk in front of the two women.
"Well, hello, sexy," Allie thought to herself.
"Hello, ladies. My name is Anthony. I understand you are here today for some counseling, Jennifer," he said.
"Yes, and this is my friend, Allie. She had cancer, too."
The man scratched his chin and smiled. "Well, let's see what we can help you with today," he said shuffling through paperwork. As Jennifer and Anthony spoke Allie listened for Jennifer to mention anything that she needed from her as a friend. After about an hour Jennifer was drained and Allie was hungry.
"I suppose that is enough for today, though I would definitely like to speak with you again at least twice more before your procedure," Anthony said as he handed Jennifer his card. "My home phone number is on there as well as my office number so you can call me any time. That goes for you, too, Allison. Any time you want to talk about ways to help Jennifer or even about you," he added with a smile.
They left quickly and headed to the restaurant. They sat at the bar and ordered drinks.
"So?" Allie asked her friend, "Do you feel renewed? Born again?"
Jennifer took a huge gulp of her Cosmo and shook her head. "I thought I was going to be uncomfortable talking to an old, pruny, priest about my body. But, I was definitely more uncomfortable talking to a young, hot altar boy or whatever he is about it. Like, did you see him? I don't want him imagining my breasts only because I'm getting them hacked off. But, I guess I feel better talking about it and he did have some good advice. Now if he would give me a loan for fake tits..."
Allie laughed and flagged the bartender over. "We're going to need 2 more of these. Oh!! And some of those flaming shots."
They drank, laughed and talked about the hunk of a therapist. After a few hours and a good meal they went home, but Allie couldn't get Anthony out of her head. She sat on the couch and emptied her pockets. She looked at his card and sighed, "Anthony Rossi. Catholic Therapist." She laughed and put his numbers in her phone. As she was looking at her phone she got a text from Jenn.
"Same time next week? You know you want to see the Hunky Healer again. LOL."
"Yes. Lunch won't be necessary, but shots are mandatory."
The next week seemed to drag on for both women. Between work and doctor's appointments Allie was almost looking forward to Sunday for a break and a chance to ogle the sexy shrink.
After Jenn's second session, Anthony asked to speak to Allie privately. Jenn excused herself from the office with a wink.
"So, Allison. I noticed you don't have very much to say. But, I wanted to make sure you were in a good state of mind. That you are mentally competent to take care of your friend now and after her surgery."
Allie narrowed her eyes at Anthony and barked, "What's that supposed to mean? Of course I am prepared to take care of her. I wouldn't be here if I wasn't."
Anthony put his hands up in protest. "I wasn't trying to offend you. I guess I should have worded that differently." He sighed and scratched his bearded chin. "What I mean is I want to make sure you don't need anything for yourself. Sometimes people neglect their own health and emotions when they are trying to help someone in a situation like this."
Allie adjusted her hair which had fallen in her face and answered, "I appreciate your concern, but I am fine. I'm in remission and have been for a while. I don't have anything bad going on except for having a best friend that is going through some terrible things."
Anthony nodded and smiled.
"Ok, if you think of anything you want to talk about you can call me."
Allie smiled and left the office. She made up a story about having to do something for work so she could go straight home instead of going out with Jennifer.
"Where does he get off trying to analyze me? I don't need help. I'm fine. I just need to help Jenn. I knew this church crap was going to be stupid. I don't need anyone to talk to. I have you," Allie ranted to her Yorkie.
The next morning as she had her coffee she called Jenn to see if she needed anything. She asked if she could bring her a few random items before work to get her through the day. As Allie was standing in the check out line after shopping for Jenn she looked over the items to make sure she had everything that Jenn requested.
"Painkillers, tea, crossword puzzle, scented candle," she recited in her mind. She had everything.
"Are you sick?" the cashier asked Allie as she scanned the items.
"Oh. No. My friend is. She is having surgery next week and she is trying to feel as well as possible until she goes into the hospital," she answered.
The cashier smiled, "Oh. Nothing serious, I hope."
Allie paused and replied, "She has breast cancer."
The cashier looked surprised and said, "Oh my. I am so sorry. I will keep her in my prayers."
Allie thanked her and rushed to her car. As she sat in the driver's seat she realized how cold she sounded when she stated that her best friend had cancer and was about to undergo a life changing surgery.
She began to shake and felt sick. She grabbed her phone to call Jennifer, but saw the first name in her contact list. "Anthony"
She called him and asked if she could talk to him.
"Sure. Can you be here in 20 minutes?" he asked.
Allie was so upset she could hardly think. "I can't. I can't drive like this."
Anthony suggested they meet at a restaurant next to the grocery store she was at. Allie agreed and went inside to get a table and wait for Anthony.
He arrived in just a few minutes. Allie stared at him as he walked in. His light colored dress shirt made his eyes seem darker than usual and he looked very concerned.
"Are you ok?" he asked as he sat next to her.
