I sat in the doctor's office with a heavy heart. My mom hadn't been doing well for the past few months and no amount of treatment was helping. Finally after some new tests, Dr Calloway found the source of the problem - cancer.
"I'm afraid she doesn't have long, Sean. You want to make the most of the time you have with her. You and your sister both. We can arrange for care for awhile but you and Cecilia are going to have to think about where you want to go with this. Hard issues for two kids, but you guys are going to need to discuss the best way to send your mum off."
"I know," I said. This was hard for me - I was just twenty-two, but this was going to be doubly devastating for Cecilia - or Cissy as we called her. Our Dad died when I was eight and Cissy was four and she and mum had forged a special bond. I was a little older and had the support of friends' families and school. Cissy was kept back a year and never really fit in with her peers.
Likewise she held a fairly independent streak but was a little socially behind. Perhaps emotionally held back would be a better way to describe her. She would often cling to things a little girl would find comfort in like stuffed animals and cartoons even though at eighteen, she was actually an adult.
She was smart enough all right - she had just been offered two scholarships to Emory University and Temple University for writing and was looking forward to this next phase of her life. The tragedy of Mum's last days hopefully wouldn't jeopardize her prospects.
"Should I go see her now?" I asked.
"Yeah. She's been looking forward to it all day. Try to stay strong son. Markie's a tough lady but she could probably use your strength too," he said.
I bristled at hearing Mum's given name and exhaled.
He put a hand on my shoulder in reassurance and I walked down the hall past the nurse's station to her room. Her face brightened as I entered and sat down.
"So I guess you heard - I'm a short-timer now," she said chuckling.
"Don't think that way, Mom," I countered but she quickly shut me down.
"None of that. It's done. Right from my liver to my heart. No time for sadness sonny-boy. I need you to do some things for me."
"Anything Mom."
"I need you to take three-hundred dollars from the savings account and help your sister buy a prom dress. I was going to take her myself to get one but that's not going to happen now. Make sure she gets something really nice - and make sure I get pictures. I only hope I'm still around to see them."
Cissy's prom was coming up. I had no idea if she had a date or not. My years away at college made me unaware of her social habits and status but if precedent served well, she was probably isolative and awkward. The fact that she was even going to the prom at all was unusual, although encouraging.
I spent a bit more time with Mum and finally left. I had to talk with Cissy and let her know about Mum's state before getting back to Boston to meet up with my fiancee, Lila. She was in rehearsals for "Aida" this week and we'd had limited time with each other. This was her one night off and she'd be furious if I made us late for our dinner reservations.
I went by the bank to get the money for Cissy's dress and drove up the highway to Byfield, the little suburb where I grew up. It was about 45 minutes north of Boston so getting back home by six didn't look to be a problem.
I drove into town and pulled into our driveway. Mum's beat-up Honda was in the driveway, signifying Cissy was home. She didn't have her own car and in fact, only got her drivers license last month after she turned eighteen.
I walked up the back porch and into the kitchen were Cissy was reading at the table.
"Hey Cis, what's up?"
"Not much. Reading up for AP English. How's Mum?"
"About the same. Not a good day. She gave me money to help you get a dress for the prom. When is it?"
"Aw that's so nice of her. It's in two weeks. I really didn't know what I was going to wear."
"Are you going with anyone?" I asked.
"Kevin Wheeler asked me last week. I don't know if he waited so long cause he was stuck for a date or if he couldn't get up the nerve to ask?"
I looked at my sister. Beneath the geekiness of her glasses and ponytail there was a real beauty. I'd never really noticed as I'd been away for the past four years at school but she had some serious curves both above and below her waist and any boy would be blind not to notice them.
"My guess is the latter," I said.
"He's kind of nice. I'm not sure if this counts as a date or if we're just going as friends."
"Well, at any rate, we should probably get a dress soon - like tomorrow. How's three o'clock sound?" I asked.
"That should work. Should we grab dinner? I've been craving sushi."
"Me too!" I said, "I haven't had sushi in the longest time." Lila was a very fussy eater and didn't even like to set foot in a sushi place.
She pressed herself against me in a quick hug goodbye and I left to head south for Boston. Telling her about Mom would have to wait until tomorrow.
Once on the highway, my thoughts turned to Lila and dinner. It was four-thirty now. I'd be able to get back in time and get ready.
No traffic, the drive was short and I walked up the stairs to the apartment Lila and I shared. I no sooner enter than i heard, "Where have you been? It's almost time to go!"
She was fussing in the bathroom with her hair, a towel wrapped around her.
"You're late," she snapped, "It's five-thirty. Reservations at six!"
"Actually, I'm not 'early.' There's a word for that. It's called 'on-time.'"
"How's your mother?" she asked.
"Not good. The doctor says she's got cancer and not much time."
"Oh my God!" she gasped.
"Actually we'd been thinking it was terminal for a bit of time. I guess I'm not surprised, more disappointed."
"No not that. Although that's bad. My earring fell down the drain. Do you think I can wear this pair?"
She held up a pair of pearl studs.
"Yeah, they look fine," I muttered.
"You can get the one that fell later. Zip me up?" she asked with a wink over her shoulder.
My mild disgust at her callousness melted. She was stunningly beautiful - way out of my league. And when she looked at me with a hint of playfulness, I was hers for the taking.
This was an important dinner for Lila. Tosca Prezin, the director of a Le Grande Opera in Austin, Texas was going to be there and if Lila made a favorable impression with him it would mean a well-paying gig in a big city - right out of school. Her professor and some other bigwigs were going to be there, presumably to show support for the college - but make no mistake - this night was all about Lila.
And the night was all about Lila. Everyone there made a show of how spectacular she was and she lapped it up. She sat at the right hand of Mr. Prezin, practically in his lap. And like all hot-blooded mammals he wasn't immune to her charms. I caught him a few times staring down her dress.
I felt totally invisible.
The ride home was filled with Lila's chatter about how great the dinner went and how we should make plans to move to Austin, and I should look for a job there.
I let it roll off me and we tumbled into bed. I sleep in my boxers, Lila has a collection of thigh-length satin shirts that drape over her modest curves very attractively. Tonight, they were looking quite attractive.