Episode 8

Emma narrating

In recent days, my stomach has been churning and I've felt quite unwell... Asher urged me to see a doctor, but by the time I decided to go, the discomfort had subsided. However, today I couldn't get out of bed. My head is spinning and my stomach is even worse; I've thrown up twice... I think I might have a virus!

I won't manage to go to work today... I have to let Asher know.

Message on

Emma - Buddy, I'm not gonna make it to work today.

Asher - What happened?

Emma - The sickness is back... And now I'm throwing up too!

Message off

He doesn't reply and seconds later he calls...

Call on

Emma - I'm okay...

Asher - If you were, you'd be here!

Emma - It'll pass soon!

Asher - I'm coming over... I'm taking you to the hospital now, get ready!

Emma - Asher...

Asher - I'm serious... Bye!

Call off

He hangs up before I can convince him otherwise... That friend of mine!

I sit on the bed and my head spins... The vomiting returns and I hurry to the bathroom.

What is this?

Afterward, I go to brush my teeth... Minutes later, the doorbell rings and with great difficulty, I go to open the door.

Asher - You're still like this?

Emma - I got up and my head started spinning... I had to vomit.

Asher - Let me see if you have a fever...

He places his hand on my forehead and neck.

Asher - No... That's good at least! Change clothes, I'll make you something to eat.

Emma - Hmm, no thanks... My stomach is nauseous!

Asher - You need to eat!

Emma - I'll eat when we come back from the hospital, okay?

Asher - Fine... Then change quickly!

Emma - Okay, boss!

He shakes his head and smiles... Minutes later, we are heading out and we get into his car. Twenty minutes after, he parks at the hospital, and we go in. The receptionist hands me a form to fill out and after doing so, she asks me to wait. We sit and I rest my head on Asher's shoulder...

Emma - Asher... I'm okay, go to work. I can wait alone... I don't want to hold you up.

Asher - Do you think you can trick me? I've been telling you to come to the hospital for weeks and you've been putting it off... Forget it!

Emma - Haha, I wasn't stalling you... It's just that I'm not a big fan of hospitals and you know why!

Asher - I know, little one... But don't you think it's time for you to get over it?

I take a deep breath and stand up...

Emma - I don't know if I'll ever be able to!

Asher - Your mom wouldn't want to see you like this... Have you opened the letter she left you?

Emma - I can barely enter her room without crying... It still hurts so much, I haven't managed to read it!

Asher - You need to deal with this... I don't want to see you slip into depression!

Emma - I know!

Asher - And what about your grandparents?

Emma - I don't even know where to begin looking... First of all, I want to give them the letter she left behind. My mother's biggest regret was not forgiving my grandparents sooner. She said she wished I had met them earlier... But pride got in the way.

Asher - And why did they fight?

Emma - I don't know exactly... I think it was because of my grandfather. My grandmother didn't support my mom, and they broke ties... My mom left home and then met my dad. My mom even tried to reconcile before I was born... But my grandfather had or has a very hard heart.

Asher - Do you think they're still alive?

Emma - Honestly... I hope so. My mother wanted them to know that she forgave them.

Receptionist - Emma Green!!

Emma - That's me!

I stand and go towards her...

Receptionist - Doctor Cesar will see you now!

I give her a small smile and look at Asher...

Asher - I'll wait here!

Emma - Thank you!!

We proceed to the doctor's office and she opens the door for me...

A middle-aged man, tall, robust and with a calm demeanor rises as I enter...

Dr. Cesar - Good morning... Emma Green, right?

Emma - Yes... Good morning!

Dr. Cesar - Please sit down, miss! Tell me what's happening...

I sit in the chair facing him and look at him...

Emma - Well... In the past few weeks, I've been feeling very sick. Lots of discomfort, dizziness, and today I started vomiting! My mother passed away from cancer three years ago and I'm terrified, Doctor!

Dr. Cesar - Ohh... Let's not jump to conclusions! Haha. I don't think it's your case, let's run a blood test and a quick ultrasound to rule out any doubts... If it's not what I suspect, I'll order some more complex tests and we'll continue investigating, okay?

Emma - And what are you suspecting?

Dr. Cesar - One thing at a time... Do you have an active sex life?

Emma - Yes, I do!

Dr. Cesar - Okay... I'll call the nurse to draw your blood.

He picks up the phone and a nurse soon arrives, draws my blood, and leaves...

Dr. Cesar - You mentioned your mother died of cancer... Which kind?

Emma - Stomach cancer...

Dr. Cesar - I'm very sorry... Stomach cancer is usually quite treatable and...

Emma - Yes, that's what the doctor who diagnosed her said. He started the treatment early and we thought everything would be okay...

Tears already flood my eyes and I stop speaking...

Dr. Cesar - I'm so sorry!

Emma - Thank you... The treatment allowed us to be with her for ten years after the diagnosis, which was very important.