AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“What does that mean?” I ask. “How much time does she have left?”
“It’s too hard to say without tests, and she won’t consent to any further treatment,” he says, shrugging. “Who is her doctor back in Australia?”
“Martin,” I mumble, distracted. I’m struggling to get past the bit where she’s refusing treatment. “I don’t know his first name.”
“Okay, I’ll give him a call and let him know what’s happened. I’ll let you see her as soon as possible, okay?”
“Thank you,” I mutter.
He nods, giving me a tight smile before walking away.
I can’t put off calling her family any longer. If I were them, I’d want to know right away. I fish through her bag, looking for her phone. How much crap does she have in here? I pull ou
t half a bag of crackers that look like they expired ten years ago and three packets of gum, each with only one piece left. I shake my head, amused. I bet she squeezes the middle of the toothpaste too.
Eventually I find her phone. I turn it on, relieved it doesn’t have a lock code on it and there is still enough power to make the call. At least for the moment she’s okay. What if she’d died, still angry at me? That would’ve stayed with me forever. I know how selfish that sounds, but I can’t help it.
Still coming down from my adrenaline high, I dial her mother and wait nervously for her to answer. I do the calculations in my head and realise it’s four in the morning there. Not that it matters. They’d want to know regardless.
“Hello?” She sounds half asleep.
My words catch in my throat as I draw a blank. Do I tell them she’s refusing more tests?
“Hello?” she repeats, kicking me into gear.
“Hi. Mrs Camden? Hi. This is Cade Wilson—I’m travelling with Erin?” I’d be nervous talking to her at the best of times, but calling with bad news is a thousand times worse.
“Oh, God no,” she whispers. “No, no—”
“She’s okay,” I quickly cut in. I don’t want her assuming the worst for a second longer than she has to. “She was taken to hospital a little while ago. I just spoke with the doctor and they think the tumour is growing, but they can’t be sure without doing more tests.” I pause. Do I mention my fight with Erin? Chances are if she called to blast Calli, she would’ve called her parents too. “Did you speak with her earlier today?” I ask softly.
“‘Speak’ would be a bit too kind a word. I think ‘roast’ is the word kids are using these days. She told me that she’d never forgive me.” Mrs Camden weeps. “All I wanted to do was make sure she was okay.”
“I know,” I say, wishing I could fix things. I feel responsible, because it was my stupid conscience that landed everyone in hot water with Erin. “It’s me she’s most angry at. She’ll forgive you both, and Calli, because she knows you were only worried about her. But me…I’m another story,” I mutter, shaking my head.
“If she is this upset with you, there must be a reason.”
There is truth to her words, which gets me thinking. If Erin and I hadn’t have formed such a bond, would she be less upset with me? Probably. Anger feeds off emotion. It’s much easier to not waste your energy on something you’re not invested in.
“There is a reason,” I agree, not going into detail. “I’ll keep in touch, Mrs Camden.”
I flick back through the photos on Erin’s phone, taken over the course of our trip. She looks so happy in every damn photo, with her bright, cheeky smile and sparkling eyes. I sigh and close the screen, but hit the wrong button. An email pops up on the screen and something catches my eye. I know I should close it. Every ounce of me is willing myself to put down the goddamned phone, because the last thing I need is to add snooping to the list of things I’ve done wrong. But instead, I start reading.
Dear Erin,
I just wanted to touch base with you to see whether you have come to a decision. I know we have discussed at great length your options at our clinic, but I wanted to reach out in case you have any more questions.
I want to assure you that it is completely natural for anyone in your position to be having second thoughts. It’s a big decision, and one you can only make on your own.
I also want to assure you that although (as we discussed) the deposit is non-refundable, should you decide not to go through with the process, the full amount less administrative fees will be donated to a charity of your choice.
Please feel free to call me anytime.
Gina
What the hell is this? I scan the email for clues as to what kind of “clinic” they run, but it gives me nothing. I punch in the number and press Call.
“Hello, The Freedman Clinic, Karolina speaking.”
