Walking out of Swedish Medical Center, Carson and Athena walk across the street towards the Seattle University campus. The campus serves as a meet-up and safe zone for the couple: at the moment, taking a walk around the campus will calm any nerves Carson or Athena have. Chemotherapy is serious business and Athena wants to process the information she has in hand.
Cutting through the middle of campus and heading towards the Student Center, Carson and Athena spot a friendly face: Julesa is coming out of Lemieux Library. Nose in a book, water bottle in her right hand and not paying attention to her surroundings, Julesa nearly walks into Athena. Athena gets Julesa's attention in time.
"Julesa, reading and walking again, I see."
Athena's tone is firm, friendly, and fair. She does not yell at Julesa, but, raises her voice high enough for Julesa to hear over the crowds of students.
Julesa seems surprised at the sound of her name. She peers over the book and stops walking. When she sees Athena, a grin stretches across her face.
Julesa and Athena have not seen each other in two weeks: Athena's last encounter with Julesa was at Seattle Children's Hospital. The day she was sent home early for medical reasons. Julesa greets Athena.
"Athena! It is good to see you again. Why are you on campus? Did Nurse Frank file a complaint against you? If so, I can..."
Athena gently cuts off Julesa's rant in order to clarify what has been going on.
"J, a complaint has not been filed against me, but, I have a meeting with the Dean of Nursing on Wednesday. I need to discuss recent events with Dean Claudet regarding my health. Carson and I just got out of an Oncology appointment and wanted fresh air."
Julesa, being the unfiltered and bold friend Athena highly respects, cuts to the chase.
"So you have cancer. What kind and how are you feeling?"
"You really don't sugar coat your questions, J. Leukemia, we speculate it is Stage-Two. I am in a better place now that a diagnosis has been made. Dr. June is great too!"
"Dr. June? Who is that, Athena?"
Athena lets out a small laugh before answering Julesa.
"She is my Oncologist. Her specialty is hematology, her office is across the street at Swedish Medical Center, and her sense of humor is light."
Carson, having stayed quiet the last ten minutes, makes a suggestion.
"Hey you two, how about we continue our conversation over a snack? I could use another cup of coffee right about now."
Julesa's unfiltered flare makes a comeback.
"You afraid I am gonna steal your fiance, Carson?"
She gives Carson a playful wink. Carson's face turns tomato red and he looks at the ground. Getting a wink from anyone, including Athena, makes Carson blush. Athena laughs at the events unfolding before her eyes.
Julesa laughs at Carson's expense and answers his question.
"Our snack break will have to be quick. Unlike Miss Crab over here, I have classes starting at noon."
Julesa's use of the name "Miss Crab" references the astrological sign for Cancer: a crab with a hard shell and gentle interior. Athena finds her new nickname amusing. She retorts Julesa's friendly jab with sarcasm.
"I feel more like a Miss Starfish. At least I would have five arms and a suction-cupped belly: always sticking to those I love."
"Your sarcasm matches my unfiltered personality well, Athena. Shall we be off Miss Starfish and Sir Crab?"
The trip walks on: they are headed towards the Student Center. Cherry Street Market is serving breakfast at this time and has a decent coffee selection. After climbing three flights of stairs, Julesa, Carson, and Athena make it to Cherry Street Market.
Julesa scouts out a table while Athena and Carson grab food and beverages. She hands Carson money for her tea, while Athena makes a beeline for the yogurt and fruit bar. Carson takes the money and searches for his coffee fix.
While looking at the selection of yogurt, Athen is hit with a small spell of nausea. She looks towards the ground, takes a sharp breath in, and forces the air from her lungs. She repeats the breathing cycle times before she is able to take her eyes away from the floor without passing out.
Athena settles for plain Greek yogurt with a tablespoon of clover honey and fresh strawberries. She figures the honey can help boost her immune system. She grabs a glass of iced basil-mint water on her way to the cashier.
Upon arriving at the table, Carson notices Julesa and Athena are engrossed in conversation. Julesa is glancing over the brochure on chemotherapy and reviewing the contents with Athena. He is watching the two women with awe. Their chemistry reminds him of Luis and Hector.
"Are you gonna stand there and stare all morning, Carson, or sit down?"
Julesa asks this question. Carson blushes again, closes his eyes, and shakes his head 'no'. He does this to ground himself. He addresses Julesa.
"Ya, here is your tea. I brought sweetener, in case you wanted any."
He gives the two women a curtsey and sits down. Athena rubs his back with her right hand.
Athena slowly eats her yogurt bowl: taking slow, small bites to her stomach does not fill up too quickly. She sips her water in-between bites.
Carson settled on a bowl of oatmeal topped with cinnamon, walnuts, and banana. He, of course, grabbed a coffee: Pike Place brew with low-fat milk. The two percent milk Carson gravitates towards was empty today.
Julesa sips her tea: the camomile, and mint blend dances across her taste buds. The tea reminders Julesa of home. She moved to Seattle in eleventh grade, from Quebec Canada. Her parents are in Quebec still, and Julesa lives with her maternal aunt and her partner.
Living away from their nuclear family solidified Julesa's and Athena's friendship. They met during summer orientation for their Nursing program and felt an instant connection. The universe had meant for the two women to meet. Their connective energy is that of kindred spirits who were separated and reunited. The two women have grown through their friendship and program.