Chapter 23: CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

“It’s about time you two came home. One more hour and we were coming to get you.” Kim swung the door open. Savannah stepped inside and hugged her sister. Dwight, unsure if he should try it, held out his hand. “Thanks for bringing her back safe.” Kim replied with a handshake.

“I’m safe and engaged.” Savannah held out her hand.

“What?!” Kim shrieked. Moments later, Kenneth appeared at the top of the steps.

“What’s going on?”

“They’re getting married.”

Kenneth jogged down the steps and pulled Dwight into an embrace. “Welcome to the family, man. We got to hang out. Let me plan your bachelor party!”

Kim turned and eyed him. “You better not do anything crazy.”

He kissed her cheek. “Never.” He looked at Dwight. “Come on Dwight. I can give you the rundown on these two, real quick.”

Dwight gave Savannah a small smile before he followed Kenneth to the backyard. Savannah let out the breath she had been holding since they arrived.

“What are you doing to that man?” Kim glared at her sister.

“What do you mean?” Savannah stepped back.

“He takes you to Italy. Proposes. And I’m sure it was amazing.”

Savannah sighed. “He hired musicians to play my favorite song on the bridge.”

“So, he’s thoughtful, loving, sexy and he spoils you. That rock on your finger alone is a pretty penny. I used to work in a jewelry store. I should know. You should have been beating the door down to tell me. Instead, you act like it’s not a big deal. What’s up?” Kim gestured towards her large couch.

Savannah felt her face warm and knew the tears were falling. There was something about Kim that always made Savannah cry. Of course, Kim was the one who raised her, taking on the mother role when she herself was still in need of one. Savannah sank down next to her sister. “I am happy. I am. I love him and he makes me happy. But all I can think about is the fact that I’m dying. I’m loving this man and letting him love me and I’m dying. I can’t do that to him.”

“We don’t know if you’re dying. Didn’t you tell me that he knows about your illness and that he has known for a while? That means he made an informed choice. He made his own decision.” Kim grabbed a throw pillow and placed it behind her back.

“I know. But he isn’t thinking straight.” She paused. “I heard him talking to his uncle and telling him that he doesn’t think I feel the same way about him that he feels about me. He told me he likes to save everyone. What if I am his next project?”

“Right now, it’s still early. You’ll start your chemo soon and I’m sure you’ll beat this.” Kim moved closer to Savannah. “Don’t stop trying. You have two amazing boys who love you and a good relationship with a great man. Besides, what would I do without you?”

******

“We have the results Savannah. There seems to only be a small portion of the breast affected by the cancerous cells. That’s the bad news. The good news is that at this point it doesn’t seem aggressive.” Dr. Sloan sat in a chair across from Kim and Savannah in his office. She’d been referred to him by her primary doctor. She wrung the cloth napkin so tight that her brown knuckles were turning white. Kim patted her leg.

“So, what does that mean for her treatment?” Kim asked.

“Well, it means that we don’t have to rely on so much radiation to treat it. Look here at this x-ray. This area here is where the cancer is. We can surgically remove that area, give you a few rounds of chemo and bring you in for regular visits to see how the treatment is affecting you and whether the cancer will return or not.”

“Is there a chance that I will only have one breast?” Savannah looked up at him with pink, swollen eyes.

“We don’t expect that to be the case at all. I have commissioned one of the finest plastic surgeons in the country to come on board for your case. After we have removed the cells that are cancerous, she’ll get to work to make sure that your breasts are repaired, should that be necessary.” He handed Savannah and Kim two manila folders. “Inside we have mapped out your treatment for the next six months. Inside there is information on side effects of chemo, diet and exercise regimens. Talk it over with your family and let me know which course you would like to take. But I beg you, Savannah. Please don’t take any longer than you must. We aren’t sure how your cancer will behave.” He shook their hands and walked them to the door.

“The first option looks to be the best. And look at the recovery time. Of course, there is the chance that you would lose your hair, but we can take care of that.” Kim placed a cup of tea in front of Savannah who was looking through the brochures.

“Yeah. I think so.”

It was the first time that Savannah had read the information in the pamphlets. Two days ago, she sat in front of the doctor and after that she kind of floated along in a daze. The front door opened, and Dwight walked in with Izzy skipping next to him.

“Kim. I brought you some saltwater taffy. A guy was selling them from a wagon.” His gaze met Savannah’s who stood up. “Hey babe.” He kissed her.

“Oooh, you know how I love my wagon treats.” Kim replied, patting Dwight on the shoulder. She squeezed a few times. “Whew, have you been working out. My gosh.”

“Uh, thank you?” Dwight smiled awkwardly.

“Hi Ms. Savannah. Daddy took me to get my nails done!” She held out her small fingers for Savannah to look at. Savannah patted her head.

Dwight smiled at her. “Are the boys home? Izzy wanted to play with them.”

“Yes. They’re in their room. You know where it is.”

Kim stood up. “I’m going to go and give you guys some alone time.”

“I’ll walk you out.” Dwight had reappeared in the kitchen, jogging towards the door. Once on the porch, Dwight tapped Kim’s elbow. “I don’t know what I’m doing with her Kim. I’m not sure I’m giving her the support she needs.”

“My sister has been through a lot. And she is independent and strong. She will push you away. She will try to do it on her own. She will fight you. But she needs us. She needs you.” Kim hugged him and walked off the porch.

Dwight found Savannah in the backyard with the kids. She was pulling the petals from a flower. “Sav?” She turned to him, her eyes watery and sad. He pulled her into him and rocked the both of them. “I’m here.”

“I’ve decided that the first treatment plan is probably the best way to go. Minimal surgery. Only a few rounds of chemo. And I can finally wear that short cut I was too chicken to try.” She laughed through tears.

Dwight kissed her forehead. “We can do this. You can do this.”