Bryce and Michelle waiting in the lobby of hospital for their appointment. In all his life, Bryce had never felt so heartsick over anything. The thought of Michelle getting sick, of needing needles and drugs, and possibly worse, it made him physically ache. She was trying to be brave, but it was as if one word was circling in her mind all night. Cancer, cancer, cancer. She was haunted by the possibility of it all, and nothing was official yet. They had three minutes left, and Bryce couldn’t help but feel useless sitting there idly while his world was crashing down. He wasn’t sure when Michelle had become his world, but she his entire world. She was his family, and she was hurting. He was uselessly sitting.

“Can I get you some coffee?” Bryce asked her.

“Thank you,” Michelle whispered. “But my nerves are shot hell already.”

“Maybe some water,” Bryce said, kissing her forehead. If only kisses could heal.

“Sure, thank you Bryce.”

Bryce kissed her again and stood up, glad to help in any way possible. He felt like he had to do something. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw someone approaching Michelle. A tall blonde man in a suit approached Michelle, smiling widely at her. Bryce nearly felt a turn of jealousy, but he decided to see what was happening before he overreacted.

                Bryce returned with a cup of water and sat down in his seat, interjecting himself between the man and Michelle.

“Here you are, beautiful,” Bryce said. “Hello there, I am Bryce. I’m Michelle’s husband.”

He overemphasized the word husband.

“I am Dixon,” the man said. “I am here on behalf of Paul Silas.”

“How did dad even know,” Michelle asked. “And how predictable of him to send you. I mean, I love you Dixon, but you don’t send a PA when your daughter might have cancer.”

Did she just say ‘I love you’ to this guy, Bryce wondered.

“I told your father,” Bryce said, ignoring his insane jealousy. “I wanted him to support you. I know it’s a lost cause, but I was hoping he’d come through.”

“That’s so sweet,” Michelle said.

“Mr. Silas was very busy, but he wants you both to know he will cover any and all medical expenses if Michelle is sick.”

“Thanks, but I don’t need his charity,” Michelle scoffed.

                “Honey, take the offer,” Bryce said. “Your dad may not be able to show up or be a normal dad, but he’s reaching out to the only way he knows. I know it’s not enough, but he’s trying to show support.”

“I guess,” Michelle said. “And if I really have cancer, we’ll need coverage. God, what if I am really sick?”

“I am not sure,” Bryce said. “But I can guarantee you won’t be alone. I’m right here, ok?”

“Ok,” Michelle said, trying not to get upset.

“Well,” Dixon said, coughing slightly “I will be here to assist in any way.”

“How does a personal assistant help with having cancer,” Michelle snapped.

“You know, you don’t have to keep calling me a ‘personal assistant’,” Dixon said. “Once upon a time I was also your friend.”

“Was being the operative word,” Michelle said. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go.”

                “Michelle Silas,” The nurse called out. Bryce eyed Dixon, wondering what was going on between them.

They followed the nurse inside, not sure what to expect. It was time to face the music and learn the truth, whatever it may be. A doctor waited for them, a weary smile on his face. Hours later, after being pricked, prodded, and interrogated, the doctor returned with a folder and answers.

“What is it,” Michelle asked. “Honestly, I don’t even care anymore. Just rip off the band aid.”

“Well, we can confirm you do have Leukemia. I know that is frightening, but you seem very healthy. We caught this quickly, and you have options.”

“So, does she get a bone marrow transplant?” Bryce asked. “How do we fix it?”

“Well, transplants are an option if necessary,” Dr. Bresko explained. “We will probably ask all of your immediate relatives to get their blood tested to see if they are compatible donors. But there are multiple treatment options we can pursue.”

“So what do we do,” Michelle asked, dreading the potential ideas.

“First, we need more information,” the doctor said. “We’ll have a meeting with an oncologist and do more tests, then we go from there. But we can still discuss options until then.”

                “So what are our options,” Bryce asked, squeezing Michelle’s hand tightly. She looked ghostly white.

“Targeted therapies with various drugs, radiation, and chemotherapy are usually our first bets.”

“I can’t…I watched my mother on chemotherapy when I was young. I could never do that.”

“It might not be an option, Miss Silas,” The doctor said.

“My name is Mrs. Santiago, and I won’t do it,” Michelle said.

The doctor nodded slightly.

“Anger is a normal reaction for patients,” Dr. Bresko replied. “I will schedule an appointment for you for tomorrow, but in the meantime, try to relax. You can’t change this, not immediately. Just rest and spend item with loved ones, and don’t exert too much energy on anything.”

“Can I stay in school?” Michelle asked, her eyes watering.

“I would recommend taking some time off,” the doctor said. “I can’t say until you’ve developed a treatment plan, but there’s no quick fix for cancer. Ultimately, your medical team here will support you whatever you decide to do.”

“As will I,” Bryce said.

                They talked a bit more with the doctor and then walked out. Michelle looked like her entire world had shattered, and it killed Bryce.

“Hey,” Bryce said, hugging her. “It is going to be ok, alright? I promise you will fight this. I know it’s scary, but you’re young and strong, and you have support.”

“I just can’t believe it,” Michelle said. “How could I be so stupid?”

“Excuse me,” Bryce said. “None of this is your fault, Michelle. None of it.”

“It is,” she cried. “I spend all of my time being guarded not believing in happy endings. Hope, dreams, those are for suckers. I grew up in the house of Silas, full of cold and distant fathers and disappointment. Life is disappointment, you know.”

“Michelle, you need to calm down,” Bryce whispered.

“I can’t,” Michelle cried. “Because I met you, and I thought everything would be different. I actually believed if I fell in love, suddenly the birds would sing and everything would be sunshine and rainbows.”

Bryce just listened quietly.

“And I realized that you weren’t going to leave, so I bought it. I let myself dream, and now, here I am.”

“Michelle, I am not going anywhere.”

“But you should be able leave,” Michelle cried. “I wanted to give you the whole picture. White weddings, pot roasts on Sundays, a perfect life. Now I’m going to drop out of school to pump poison into my body so I can live, and you will have to watch as I wither away. Does that sound like a fairytale to you?”

                “No,” Bryce said. “But it sounds like where I want to be. I promised you Michelle, until death do us part. In sickness and health. This is the sickness part.”

“But we’re not really married,” Michelle screamed.

“Don’t say that,” Bryce snapped. “I am here, and I want to be here. So, yes, this is a shitty day. But if you want to feel crappy, I’m doing with you. If you have cancer, then I am right here with you baby. Because I fell in love with you, and that doesn’t disappear when shit gets real.”

“Wow,” Michelle said. “You’re amazing.”

“Michelle, I’m not amazing, I just love you.”

“No, really,” Michelle said. “I love you so much Bryce.”

He pulled her close and squeezed her tight. Sometimes all that could be done was to hold the person you love.