“Will you never let me forget that little incident?” His lips curled in a guilty smile before he turned, clarifying to Emily and Spencer. “I was only trying to make her jealous. And nothing happened at all.”
“You called me up to your apartment with some made-up excuse, and you had Ellen lounging on your couch with a glass of wine. And you had your shirt unbuttoned. And you had soft music playing...”
“But I was only pretending to do what you said you wanted me to do,” he protested in a playful tone. He defended himself again. “She was trying to get rid of me by pawning me off on another woman.”
Spencer’s eyes were the size of saucers, but Emily was chuckling.
“I admit it,” Anne grinned. “I asked for it. But don’t you remember I could hardly eat for four days.”
“But this has been longer, hasn’t it? And what are you stressed about?” he asked.
“I don’t know. Maybe it’s because you look so good today. I’m probably worried some girl is going to steal you from me.” She winked, hoping her flirtatious remark would throw him off his pursuit.
“You do look a little thin, Mom,” Emily countered. “You should try to eat. Maybe the meat is too much. Try your salad.”
“Fine. I’ll eat something.”
Anne forked a piece of lettuce and transferred it to her mouth. She ignored the wave of nausea and forced herself to swallow. If it had only been nausea, she could have handled it. But the nagging pain seemed to be there even when she wasn’t eating.
“Maybe you should see a doctor.”
Her ploy had failed—Steven was still watching her pick at her food.
“I’m not going to the doctor every time my appetite changes a smidgeon. I promise you I’m fine. But I don’t want everyone to watch me while I eat. Can we change the subject please?”
Spencer obliged. “Well, I’m going with a group to hike the Appalachian Trail this weekend. I invited Emily, but you guys are welcome to come along.”
Anne watched her daughter’s reaction. Her eyes were a little wide. Had she really agreed to go on the hike? She didn’t usually go for outdoor activities, except for skiing.
“Thanks Spencer,” said Steven. “We’ll get back to you on that.” He looked back to Anne and indicated her food with his eyes.
Her mind wandered while Spencer explained about the upcoming hike and the group that was going. She took another bite of food and suppressed a shudder as she swallowed. Maybe Steven was right. She’d tried to ignore the symptoms that had plagued her off and on over the past month or so.
After she married Steven Gherring, she’d felt more relaxed and stress-free than she had for years. Her appetite had been great. But recently she’d had stomach pain and nausea. She hadn’t been on a scale, but her pants were hanging loosely on her hips. She’d estimate she’d lost at least ten pounds, probably more. But she’d tried not to think about it, because she had a nagging fear. Would she meet the same fate as her mom?
Her mother had lost a battle to stomach cancer when Anne was only three years old, and her father had never married again. She tried to tell herself her symptoms were different, but they matched the information she’d found on the website. She knew she shouldn’t wait. It was important to diagnose cancer as early as possible. But she couldn’t bear the thought of Steven suffering through what her father had. It wasn’t fair. Steven had been alone for fifty years. She couldn’t leave him alone again. On the other hand, it might only be an ulcer. She berated herself for assuming the worst.
She gazed at her husband as he chatted with the kids. He was so handsome. His dark hair was peppered with grey, his blue eyes intense. His face was chiseled with a strong jaw, but softened with deep dimples that appeared even when he wasn’t smiling. She loved him so much. She couldn’t tell him until she knew for sure, because she didn’t want him to be worried if it wasn’t true. But she wouldn’t put it off any longer—she’d see a doctor right away. If it was cancer, she’d fight for her life. And she’d beat it somehow. She wouldn’t leave him alone again.
Determined to call the doctor and make an appointment as soon as lunch was over, she pushed the food around on her plate to make it appear emptier.
“Anne?” All the levity disappeared from Steven’s voice. “What aren’t you telling me?”
At his words and the severity of his tone, she felt the blood drain from her face.
“Nothing. Nothing, I just… uhmm… I was trying to remember something.” She rose from the table, scrambling for an excuse. “I remember what it was. I forgot to mail our RSVP for the wedding. You know Sam and Tanner’s wedding? I’ve got to get it in the mail before it’s too late.”
“Anne!” Steven rose from his chair and pinned her with his glare. “Stop avoiding my question. What is it?”
“Nothing. I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was just...”
She watched in confusion as the sides of the room turned black and closed in on Steven’s face. Then she saw the floor coming toward her. Then she saw nothing.
Forcing her eyes open, Anne gradually focused on Steven’s worried face.
“You’re in an ambulance. Stop trying to push the mask off your face. It’s oxygen.”
An ambulance. She was going to the hospital. She had to tell him—he couldn’t find out from the doctors. He’d be so angry. She struggled to speak, her words muffled by the mask.
“She’s trying to say something,” Steven told the paramedic. “Can she move the mask?”
“Sure, we can take it off for a minute.”
How could she break the news to him? Her eyes filled with tears, and she sobbed out the words.
“I th-think it m-may be cancer.”
“No, sweetheart, no.” He soothed her, pushing a stray strand of hair
