Rose
There's nothing that makes me happier than when things go as I'd planned it, I stared at white silky gown that was hung in my closet. I've admired it from the moment Miss Beatrice brought it home, she really had good taste.
I love that woman.
It was a red v neck body con dress with shiny stones neatly dispersed on it, the stone's were clustered at the upper part and were less at the lower part.
My whole back was open
I had put it on earlier on, it fit me perfectly. Although I had lost so much weight, my curves were undeniably visible. They were far above my knee and I wouldn't say I wouldn't be so conscious of my exposed body because I definitely will.
"Knock knock." I gasped as I turned to see Miss Beatrice at the door, she'd stock her head inside the room.
"You scared me." Placing my hands on my chest with my mouth opened slightly like I'd seen a ghost.
She shrugged.
"Stop being overly dramatic, Rose. You left your door half open." she said as let herself inside.
I liked the way she spoke, a very fluid American accent.
Sometimes I forget that I'm black too.
My Dad and I don't speak like she and Morris.
They lived in Texas all their lives and they inculcated the blacks accent, unlike we that lived in Brooklyn that is mostly occupied by whites.
She sat at the edge of my bed, beside me with her arms crossed on her busty chest. She was a thick lady
"You don't usually wear these kinds of dresses, right?"
"What kind of dresses?"
"The kinds that these hot shawties wear, the kind that's way up your knees that can leave those thirsty niggas wanting."
"Yeah." I swept the tendrils of my hair to the back of my ear.
"Is that you being embarrassed I see?" She playful squinted her eyes like she wasn't so close enough to see my flushed face clear.
"I'm not really comfortable with the length but I like the way it's tight on my ass."
"Yeah, now that's the spirit. You're gonna get up, shower and rock this dress to prom, and then when you get there; you burn that place down to the ground."
"You bet I will." I snickered, hiding my face in my hands
I'm glad I have a relative that wouldn't bore the fuck out of me.
Dad I mean, can be fun to be with and funny but he bore me out.
Mostimes.
Let's not talk about his choleric temperament.
you wouldn't compare it to a girlie company.
"Yeah." She looked around my halfly messed up room.
"Mm, baby girl, we need to get this shithole you call room cleaned up and you're gonna get ready for your chemo."
I burst out with joy when Miss Beatrice told me she was a hematologist, fuck, I didn't even know she went to college.
She revealed to me that my Dad had pleaded with her to come care for me till…till I'd said to the world "Good bye."
She said she was in the best place to take care of me and I could literally stay at home for chemo sessions.
Undiluted joy erupted my heart on hearing that.
My Dad has been off to work since two days after they arrived, that day was so stressful, thanks to Morris.
He made sure his foot touched the nook and cranny of our apartment, including the basement that Dad had junks of his personal stuff in.
All the items, both stationary and remotely fragile, he touched.
Miss Beatrice and I did a lot of scolding to that mini maniac.
Chemotherapy wasn't fucking nice as I'd thought would be
Miss Beatrice had asked me to take a deep breath, I didn't know what age was preparing me against till it happened.
I sunk into the comfortable couch by the side of my bedroom, Miss Beatrice brought a drip stand and a bag of fluid was hung on it.
"Let me have your left hand sweetheart."
It always has to be the left hand, a very unfortunate piece of my body.
I stretched it out, she cleaned the back of my hand with spirit.
She held around the vein aimed at piercing with her thumb and index finger. With a quick thrust, she pushed the needle into my vein.
I winced at the sharp pain.
She attached a small plastic catheter over the needle and into the vein, she then removed the needle, leaving the catheter in place.
"You might feel achy in your joints and muscles but they will wear off in no time." She said as she placed the access cap over the catheter and attached the end to the tube from the fluid bag, allowing passage of the fluid into my body.
I hope this shit works, I will curse the universe if it doesn't.
Wasn't long when the effects kicked in, really hard.
Tingling sensation in hands and feet, they went numb after some minutes.
Miss Beatrice said it usually happens this way, I do not want to get used to this feeling.
I really need my legs for this prom. I might dance alone, yeah but I'll still dance.
It's my last day spending time with my classmates, everything really has to be perfect.
"Just hold on baby, imma go get you something to stop the numbness." She hurried to the door while she spoke.
She came back with the drug and I gulped it with water at once.
"In less than 10 minutes, it might die down a bit."
Yeah, very assuring.
She walked backwards and fell to the bed. Her legs still touching, she rubbed her face and let out a sigh.
She got up immediately and looked at me, "this is not all the treatment you know, there are some you need to go to the hospital to get."
I knew this but I refused to agree to that until this specialist had to tell me herself, there are some things you could wish you could change.
"Yeah, the radiation therapy, isn't it?"
"Smart cheeks, yeah, that one."
Rest assured I'll always be with you in the whole process."
"I and Morris."
"No, just you. He would be in school by then just like he is now."
I was at the forefront in the decision of enrolling him in nursery the moment they got here, I need my peace and quiet.
"Speaking of which, I have to go pick him up. That would be after your chemo, babe."