XI
IT WAS AN EFFORT for Rachel to move. Just walking from room to room in her Florida home was exhausting. She could not remember when she had ever been so tired. I probably have a flu of some kind. Jeff was right. I should see a doctor. A hot bath will relax me…
It was while Rachel was stretched out in the soothing warm water that her hand went to her breast and felt the lump.
Her first reaction was shock. Then denial. It's nothing. It's not cancer. I don't smoke. I exercise and take care of my body. There is no cancer in my family. I'm fine. I'll have a doctor look at it, but it's not cancer.
Rachel got out of the tub, dried herself, and made a telephone call.
«Betty Richman Model Agency.»
«I'd like to speak to Betty Richman. Please tell her it's Rachel Stevens.»
A moment later Betty Richman was on the line. «Rachel! It's great to hear from you. Are you all right?»
«Of course I am. Why do you ask?»
«Well, you cut the Rio shoot short, and I thought that maybe—»
Rachel laughed. «No, no. I was just tired, Betty. I'm eager to go to work again.»
«That's great news. Everyone's been trying to book you.»
«Well, I'm ready. What's on the agenda?»
«Hold on a moment.»
A minute later Betty Richman was back on the line. «The next shoot is in Aruba. It starts next week. That gives you plenty of time. They've been asking for you.»
«I love Aruba. Book me for it.»
«You've got it. I'm glad you're feeling better.»
«I feel great.»
«I'll send all the details.»
At two o'clock the following afternoon, Rachel had an appointment with Dr. Graham Elgin.
«Good afternoon, Dr. Elgin.»
«And what can I do for you?»
«I have a small cyst in my right breast and—»
«Oh, you've seen a doctor?»
«No, but I know what it is. It's just a little cyst. I know my body. I'd like you to use microsurgery to get it out.» She smiled. «I'm a model. I can't afford to have a scar. With just a tiny blemish, I can cover it with makeup. I'm leaving next week for Aruba, so would it be possible to schedule the operation tomorrow or the next day?»
Dr. Elgin was studying her. Considering the situation, she seemed unnaturally calm. «Let me examine you first, then I'll have to do a biopsy. But yes, we can schedule the operation within the week, if necessary.»
Rachel was beaming. «Wonderful.»
Dr. Elgin stood up. «Let's go into the other room, shall we? I'll have the nurse bring you a hospital gown.»
Fifteen minutes later, with a nurse looking on, Dr. Elgin was palpating the lump in Rachel's breast.
«I told you, Doctor, it's just a cyst.»
«Well, to be certain, Miss Stevens, I'd like to do the biopsy. I can do it right here.»
Rachel tried not to wince as Dr. Elgin inserted a thin needle into the side of her breast to draw out tissue.
«All finished. That wasn't too bad, was it?»
«No. How soon…?»
«I'll send this in to the lab, and I can have a preliminary cytology report tomorrow morning.»
Rachel smiled. «Good. I'm going home to pack for Aruba.»
When Rachel got home, the first thing she did was take out two suitcases and lay them on the bed. She went to the closet and started collecting clothes to take to with her.
Jeanette Rhodes, her cleaning woman, came into the bedroom.
«Miss Stevens, are you going away again?»
«Yes.»
«Where are you going this time?»
«To Aruba.»
«Where's that?»
«It's a beautiful island in the Caribbean Sea, just north of Venezuela. It's a paradise. Great beaches, beautiful hotels, and wonderful food.»
«Sounds great.»
«By the way, Jeanette, while I'm gone, I'd like you to come in three times a week.»
«Of course.»
At nine o'clock the following morning, the phone rang.
«Miss Stevens?»
«Yes.»
«This is Dr. Elgin.»
«Hello, Doctor. Were you able to schedule the operation?»
«Miss Stevens, I just got the cytology report. I'd like you to come into the office so we can—»
«No. I want to hear it now, Doctor.»
There was a slight hesitation. «I don't like to discuss this sort of thing on the phone, but I'm afraid the preliminary report shows you do have cancer.»
Jeff was in the middle of writing his sports column when the phone rang. He picked it up. «Hello?»
«Jeff…» She was crying.
«Rachel, is that you? What's the matter? What's happened?»
«I—I have breast cancer.»
«Oh, my God. How serious is it?»
«I don't know yet. I have to have a mammogram. Jeff, I can't face this alone. I know I'm asking a lot, but could you come down here?»
«Rachel, I—I'm afraid I—»
«Just for a day. Just till I…know.» She was crying again.
«Rachel…» He was torn. «I'll try. I'll call you later.»
She was sobbing too hard to speak.
When Dana returned from a production meeting, she said, «Olivia, make a reservation for me on a morning plane to Aspen, Colorado. Get me into a hotel. Oh, and I'll want a car rental.»
«Right. Mr. Connors is waiting for you in your office.»
«Thanks.» Dana walked inside. Jeff was standing there looking out the window. «Hi, darling.»
He turned around. «Hi, Dana.»
There was a strange expression on his face. Dana looked at him, concerned. «Are you all right?»
«That's a two-part question,» he said heavily. «Yes and no.»
«Sit down,» Dana said. She took a chair opposite him. «What's wrong?»
He let out a deep breath. «Rachel has breast cancer.»
She felt a little shock. «I—I'm so sorry. Is she going to be all right?»
«She called this morning. They're going to let her know how serious it is. She's panicky. She wants me to
