Sinking into one of the hard plastic chairs, I brace myself for the news. In a hesitant voice, I slowly begin to speak. “What is going on, Rick?”
“Michelle.”
Oh god, that sad doctor voice was back. He was about to hit me with some really bad news.
“Just tell me, Rick.” I say,a bit too harshly.
“I have talked to Dr. Lowe and we have both agreed that all your syptoms are due to the medication.”
I painfully swallow the lump in my throat. I just nod my head, not trusting my voice.
“The medication has been making you so sick. Since we put you on a trial run, we are glad that it happened early, and not later. You know what this means, don’t you, Michelle?” he asks softly
“I am off the medication.” I whisper, trembling at the news.
“Starting today, you are done with the pills. We have to wait…”
“Rick, wait a second, what does that mean if she can’t take the medication?” Danny asks worried.
I had been so wrapped up in my own thoughts, that I had forgotten that Danny was even still here. I was just too tired to tell him to go away. He was going to find out sooner or later. Now, maybe he will just leave.
“What it means is, that Michelle will have to endure the pain without the help of the pills. She knew that this was a trial run, and at any sign of side affects, she would be taken off the medication.” Rick says cooly.
“Aren’t there another medications that she can take? You can’t let your own sister suffer.” Danny says desperately.
“We have exhausted all the other options, Danny. This is the fourth brand of medication that we have put Michelle on, and all of them have made her sick. But this last one had the worst side effects, and I am not willing to watch my sister endure that, just to suffice the pain.”
“Fine, I didn’t realize that..” Danny says, defeated.
Rick cuts in. He lets out a bitter laugh. “Of course, you didn’t realize, Danny.” he says sharply, “You have not been here to watch my sister go through this but I have.”
Danny’s eyes are blazing with anger. “Don’t make this my fault.” He says tightly.
“I see, you didn’t care before, but all of a sudden, you care now?” Rick spits out.
“Things have changed, I--I..” Danny stammers, frustrated at his own inability in expressing his feelings and Rick’s rude behavior.
“Just leave, Danny. You don’t need to be here.”
“No!” Danny yells “I will not leave until I know that Michelle is okay.”
“Fine.” Rick snorts.
“Rick, back off.” I say angrily, “This is not your concern. Both of you are talking about me like I am not here. Well guess what, I am right here,” I scream. “I would like to talk to Danny alone.” Rick gives me a wary glance. “Alone.” I emphasis
Sighing, Rick stomps away. I give Danny an apologetic smile. “Danny, I think that we need to talk.”
Danny nods his head in agreement, and he sits down next to me.
“I appreciate your concern for me, but I need you to know that there is nothing that you can do. I am sure that someone else will try to do the same thing that you will try. Look, Danny, I didn’t want you to get involved in this mess.”
“Michelle, I want..”
I shake my head sadly. “Please, Danny.” I beg, trying to keep my cool. “Six months ago, if this was happening, then you should be here, but not now. Too much has happened between us. I can’t lay this all on you right now.”
“Michelle, you should have someone to help you through this. I want to help you.”
I fight off the sudden urge to jump into his arms, and beg him to take me away forever. Tearing my gaze from his face, I set my gaze on the wall behind him, trying to remain strong. “Danny, you don’t know much that means to me to hear you say that, but I need to do this on own. I am sorry. You need to stop being a *husband*.”
I nearly choke when I say that. I notice a flicker of sadness in his eyes, and I wish that I could take it back. “Oh, Danny. I am sorry, I didn’t mean…” I stammer
“It’s okay, I know what you are saying.. Look, Michelle, if you need anything, I mean anything. I want you to call me. My cell phone number is still the same. Do you need me to write it down?”
I shake my head no. I valiantly try to fight the tears forming in my eyes as Danny places a gentle kiss on the top of my head. “I am here for you, Michelle. Just remember that.”