"Ten," his mother mumbled.
"You want anything?" he asked as he opened the refridgerator door.
"I'm too nervous to eat," the woman replied fidgeting about in the chair. "How do I prepare Leslie for this? What if it's terminal?"
Nick sighed grabbing the milk carton. "Mama, if you keep on saying 'what if' you're going to give yourself a nervous breakdown."
"I think I'm having one already. This is just too much to deal with."
"Imagine how Leslie feels, it's her body," Nick replied. "Where is she anyway?"
"She's with your father walking the dogs. I told her it was too cool to be outside and she needed to stay in, but would she listen to me? No, of course not. And Bob just let's her go with him."
Nick sat down at her side. "Mom, Dad knows Leslie better than anyone else. He knew getting some fresh air and playing with the animals would be her best way of coping right now."
"I guess so. How are you doing?" she wondered looking up at him.
Nick nervously chewed on his lower lip. "I'm scared for her. We all are."
His mother nodded. "I know you are. Are you coming with us to the doctor?"
He shook his head. "No, I'm staying here with Angel and Aaron. Try to offer them any support I can, and help out Angel if she needs it dealing with this mono thing."
"BJ should be here around noon," his mother told him. "She was able to leave the production for a few days and wanted to be here for Leslie."
"It all comes down to this," Nick sighed. "One day changes a lifetime."
"Jane!" Bob Carter called into the kitchen. "Leslie's in the car, we're ready to go!"
His wife stood taking a deep breath. "God, help us."
"Dad, if I ever get rich enough could I outlaw doctors?" Leslie whined laying her head against her father's shoulder as they waited for the physician to join them in the crowded office.
Mr.Carter wrapped an arm around her. "I don't think so, honey."
She paused. "Could I outlaw barium?"
Her mother smiled taking her hand. "Now, that might be possible." She stared at her ill daughter. "Leslie, honey, we need to talk about something serious."
"No, Mom, I don't want to hear about illnesses and treatments again!" the teen aruged.
"Shhh..." her father whispered calming her. "Just hear her out."
"Leslie, we want you to know, no matters what happens. Your father and I are here for you. We love you, honey. We love you so much."
Leslie gave a small grin. "I love you, too."
"Hello! Sorry, I'm running a little late today," the tall man apologized as he entered the room. "Hi, Leslie," he greeted shaking her hand. "I'm Dr.Browning."
"Hi," she answered meakly clinging to her father's side.
"You ready to go over the tests results?"
"Not really."
He sighed. "I know it's not fun, so, let's just get it over with?"
"We're ready," Mrs.Carter answered preparing herself for what lie ahead.
"Okay..." he hummed pulling out the chart. "Leslie's bloodwork was abnormal and dye contrast and x-rays did show swollen glands in the adomen and a slight enlargement of the spleen. This data led me to the diagnosis of epstein barr."
"Epstein barr?" Mr.Carter repeated.
"Yes," the doctor replied. "Leslie's EBV level was at a 59, and anything above 20 is a definite registration of the epstein barr virus."
"Is that some type of cancer?" Leslie asked randomly.
"No, Leslie, it isn't. It is a virus that causes extreme fatigue and weakens the immune system greatly. And, sometimes, with the virus you will be susceptible to other disorders, but for now you've been lucky enough to aviod that."
"So, it's not cancer, it's not lupus?" Mr.Carter questioned in great detail.
"Not at all, this disease is not terminal. However, it could be up to a few years before Leslie is completely better, and I assure you it will be a lengthy time period before she performs again."
"How did Leslie contact ebv?" Mrs. Carter pondered.
"Well, obviously, Leslie had the illness mono some time ago, and it was never treated fully or treated at all. This led to the disease progessing against her will, this is also the explanation for your other daughter having mono."
"Wait, I have a question," Leslie said quietly.
Dr.Browning nodded. "Go ahead."
"I'm not going to die?"
"No, not at anytime soon that I can see."
"I don't have to anymore painful treatments and tests?"
"No more blood work for a few weeks."
She crossed her arms, eyes narrowing. "What about barium?"
He laughed. "No more barium."
The doctor continued to explain the illness to the family, but his words were silenced in Leslie's mind. She sat smiling quietly repeating to herself. "I'm going to be okay."