“Don’t say that,” said Lisa. “I know it looks like your mother has been giving me a lot of attention, but she doesn’t really know anything about me. She’s obsessed with me because she thinks I’m good for Josh. That’s all. It’s only a matter of time before she realizes I’m not perfect.”
Shannon turned on her in a rage.
“Don’t tell me to be patient,” she said. “My mom is dying. Every moment she spends with you is a moment she could have spent with me. You’re stealing her from me, and you don’t even care.”
“That’s not true,” said Lisa. “I have no control over your mother, and if you had any idea how much she’s hurt my family, you’d understand how disgusted I feel every time she tries to be friendly. If you want to hate me because you feel like she doesn’t love you, then that’s your decision, but she would never choose me over you.”
Shannon didn’t seem to have heard her.
“Why does she think you’re so special?” she said, wiping her eyes and smearing makeup across her face. “You’re a prissy little crybaby. Your own parents don’t even like you. Your dad probably left because he didn’t want to have to put up with you anymore.”
Lisa wanted to tell Shannon what had actually happened, but she knew Shannon wouldn’t believe her. As she hesitated, Shannon shoved her out of the way and left the bathroom. Lisa hurried after her, but when she reentered the ballroom, she nearly collided with Josh. He was standing there with his cellphone in his hand and a stricken expression. Shannon was with him.
“What’s wrong?” said Lisa.
“My mom had to go to the hospital,” said Josh. “I just talked to my dad. He said she started running a fever, so he took her to the emergency room. Apparently, it’s serious. She’s in the intensive care unit with some sort of infection.”
“Is she going to be okay?” said Lisa.
“Of course not,” said Shannon. “This is the end.”
“Lisa, my dad will be here soon,” said Josh. “He said my mom can’t have visitors right now, but he wanted us to at least get a chance to see her from the hall outside her room. I know this isn’t how we were planning to spend the evening, but I’d like you to come with me.”
Lisa didn’t want to infuriate Shannon, but Josh needed her, so she agreed. She called her mother and told her what was happening, and then she went with Josh and Shannon down to the foyer to wait for Josh’s father. He arrived a few minutes later. He was alone, having left Stephen and Yvonne with Lisa’s mother, and he looked miserable.
“How is Mom?” said Josh.
“Not good,” said his father. “She’s getting fluids and antibiotics, but she’s struggling. The doctors think she has pneumonia. We’ll have a better idea of what to expect after she’s stabilized.”
They drove to the hospital and went up to the intensive care unit. Only two visitors were allowed at a time, and even then, they weren’t permitted to enter the room. Josh’s father took Shannon inside first, while Lisa and Josh waited in the same place where they had spied on Graham. Lisa wanted to comfort Josh, but she couldn’t think of anything encouraging to say. He paced up and down.
“This is all happening so fast,” he said. “When she started chemotherapy, I expected her to have bad days, but I thought there’d be some sort of warning before she crashed. My dad wouldn’t have brought us here if he didn’t think there was a pretty good chance she’s not going to make it. I don’t want to lose her. I’ve tried to prepare myself for it, but there are so many little things about her that I’m afraid of forgetting. I’m actually having trouble visualizing her face.”
“Josh, you’ll remember the things that are important,” said Lisa. He stopped pacing and stared at the floor. Lisa touched his arm. “She’ll never really leave you. You shouldn’t give up on her, though—not until you know for sure.”
Shannon trudged out before he could reply.
“Dad’s still in there, but you’re free to join him,” she said to Josh. “I’ve seen enough, and it’s not a pretty sight. Stay as long as you want. You’re not allowed to go into the room, but you can look through the window.”
Josh turned to Lisa.
“I don’t know how long this will take,” he said. “I wish you could come in with me, but that’s obviously not possible. You should call your mom and go home. I don’t want you to have to stay here all night. I’m sorry for ruining everything.”
“Josh, this isn’t your fault,” said Lisa. “Really, it’s okay. I just wish I could do more to support you. Take all the time you need, and don’t worry about anything.”
She embraced him, and he managed to smile.
“We’ll talk in the morning,” he said. “I love you.”
“I love you, too,” said Lisa. It wasn’t until he disappeared through the doors that she realized what he had said and how she had responded. For a moment, she was stunned, but it felt so natural that she didn’t regret it. She took out her cell phone to call her mother, but she hesitated when she noticed Shannon crying.
“Shannon, I’m sure my mother would be happy to take you back to your apartment, or you could come to my house if you don’t want to be alone,” she said. “There’s plenty of room.”
“I
