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Chapter Ten
After another boring week and a follow-up with my doctor, she confirmed there was a lump, and I scheduled my test. I’ve already spoken with mom and expected my call in regards to the test results. I guess it’s time I let my sisters in on my secret. You see, breast cancer runs in my family. Prior to having my physical, I asked mom to feel in my armpit. There was something there. Just not sure if it was normal or not. So when I went for the physical, I had my doctor check, and she agreed. But she had me come back to follow up to see if it went away. Well, it didn’t.
I’m on my way to pick up dinner. My sisters will meet me in a half-hour with the liquor. I am nervous yet anxious to tell them, not just about the lump but about last weekend. Talking about it is probably the best thing I can do. It’s been eating me up. I’ve been snapping and avoiding Jacob as if he had covid or the plague. When he’d come home, I’d go out or go to my room. Avoiding him at all costs.
I pull the glass door open with a yank and step into Coliseum Pizza, the best pizza on Cedar Lane. Once I tell the kid behind the counter my name, he brings over the two large pies, one with pepperoni, the other plain, and a chicken Caesar salad. The order is paid for with a swipe, and I’m out the door. One more stop then home.
I pull up to my apartment, and Keni is waiting in the parking lot. Perfect, she can help carry the food. She opens the door, and her head snaps back, “Oh shit, this is big. Pizza, Chinese, and booze. What the fuck, Dani?” he says as she walks over to the passenger seat.
I roll my eyes, slam the driver's side door, and round the car. “Get inside, Keni, and don’t plan on going home tonight.” She laughs as she pulls out her phone and texts mom that she’ll be late.
Bang, bang, bang. A knock at the door, “I got it,” Keni says as I arrange the food on the kitchen counter and stove for easy access.
“It’s big, whatever it is. It’s really big.” I overhear Keni tell Nicki. “What do you mean?” she replies as she crosses the doorway to the kitchen.
“Oh fuck!” she lets out, noticing all the food. She puts the box of bottles and the case of Twisted Teas on the table.As she turns and pulls me into a hug, Keni joins, and I let all my emotions pour out.
I’m a blubbering mess by the time they let me go. I look at the food as they put the alcohol in the fridge.
“Give me a shot. I’m taking a pie into the living room.” I grab the roll of paper towels to use as napkins and place them and the pizza box on the coffee table. I run into my room to grab the tie hanging in my closet, and I walk to the front door, placing it on the doorknob. I retreat to the couch and crisscross my legs as I sit.
Nicki and Keni join me around the coffee table. Nicki places the bottle of Fireball to the side. I grab it immediately.
“Um, Dani. Are you okay? I’ve never seen you…” Nicki places an opened tea with a glass of ice in front of me as I take a big gulp, wipe my mouth with the back of my hand and slam the bottle on the table.
“I have a lump,” I let out in a huff. Both of them step back in surprise. “Danielle, what did you just say?” Nicki asked. I repeated, “I have a lump in my left armpit.” They both step over, and we embrace. I cried, holding them for as long as they would let me.
Once I was capable of talking again, we sat down, and I continued. “I have to have a mammogram and ultrasound, but there is definitely something there.”
“I’m so sorry,” Keni says, taking a seat on the floor. “We all know how hard it was for mom to see Aunt Tilly go through it, but she is still with us. One of the strongest women we know. And everyone always says how much you and she are alike. If it is, you’ll fight it.” She claims a slice of pepperoni.
Nicki leans back, “No, we’ll fight it. Johnson Sisters kick ass together, never alone,” she says and takes a sip from the bottle. She passes it to Keni, who hands it right over to me, “I love you guys, but that’s not all I have to tell you.” I take my sip and place the bottle on the table.
“For fucks sake, Dani, you’re just full of bad news today. Can we drink a little first?” She opens a beer and hands one to Keni with a giggle.
A little while later, after we listened to Keni talk about her sexy professor and Nicki about her flavor of the week, I grabbed a few empty cans and bottles off the table and stumbled towards the kitchen garbage can.
I pass them their drinks with refills in hand and sit back down. “Okay, now let’s get back to you,” Nicki hands me the fireball. I take a big gulp and let out another huff.
“I slept with him,” I glance across the table. They both look at each other and squeal with excitement.
“No, no, no. It’s not a good thing!” I stand, throwing my hands in the air.
Nicki grabs an eggroll and takes a bite, “this is gonna be good. It’s about fucking time. Start from the beginning.”
Keni sits up straight and holds up one hand, “but not TMI, no details.” She takes a sip of her drink.
“You guys, this is so fucked up! You don’t even know.” I pace the living room and start at the beginning.
“You know we went to the wedding last weekend.” Keni interrupts, “weddings always bring the lovey-dovey out of people. Why is that?” I shrug my shoulders.
“Well, anyway, Jacob was drinking before we even left here. I know he was not looking forward to seeing his parents. But this was a special day for his cousin, so I tried to keep him under control until I couldn’t.” I pull my hair back and throw it over my shoulder. “Your dress is at the cleaners,” With a look at Nicki, she nods a thank you.
“By the end of the night, we both had way too many shots in us. Him more than me, but I was good. Not okay to drive, but I knew what I was doing. We were dancing to “Just the Way You Are” by Billy Joel, and suddenly we kissed.” My hands cover my eyes, not wanting to relive the most amazing kiss I’ve ever experienced. After a few deep breaths, I dropped my arms, plopped down on the couch, and drank half my glass of Twisted Tea, “Anyway, it was beautiful and perfect, and I wanted more.”
Nicki moves up and rubs her hand together, “now, we’re getting to the good shit.” Little do they know, by the time I am done telling this story, they’ll want to kill the man I love and one they feel is a big brother.
“Let’s drink. You’ll want to be three sheets to the wind before I go any further. Cause you are not going to believe me.” I take a break, trying to figure out how I’m going to tell them the rest. It’s not their issue. It’s mine.
