The Letter
“Sometimes people don’t want to hear the truth because they don’t want their illusions to be destroyed”
- Friedrich Nietzsche
Lia had enjoyed her time hanging out with Paisley for that well-needed distraction from all the challenges that she had been facing. But she knew that sooner or later she had to come back to reality. Lia knew that the love Lucas had for her was immeasurable, so how could she not tell him what had been going on? She felt disenchanted within herself. And the courage that she had, somehow got concealed by this shadow of fear. And for an instant, she considered to herself how she was going to hurt the man that she loved.
Lucas went about his day as he normally did with thoughts of Lia on his mind. He still felt bothered about Lia’s safety but knew that he was doing all that he could to keep her out of harm’s way. It was Tuesday, and they normally shared lunch at the Hush Bowl. These were moments that he cherished privately between him and Lia, especially when the sun hits the glass at their window table reflecting the melanin in her skin.
It was a sight for him to see. One that made him fall in love with Lia over and over again. Since, at that moment two of the most mesmerizing phenomena meet, and the connection is undeniable. In her face was a glimpse of the sun kissing her magic, hugging her crown, and reflecting her beauty. He was lost in her, in a beauty that God had so artistically created that made him give thanks in his heart.
He was beyond words for the rest of the evening but knew that he was fulfilled. They had finished dinner, paid their bill, and started their journey home when he noticed that Lia had lost strength in her legs. She had a rush of pain that made her scream in anguish, and Lucas, who became frightened asked her to explain exactly what she was feeling.
She kept thinking back to the letter that she had gotten that week and how she knew it would have devastated him, so she simply said “I just caught a cramp in my leg. Give me a moment to shake it off and then we can be on our way.” Lucas did not believe her but agreed to give her a moment until she had gathered the strength to walk again. After a few seconds, she signaled that she was good, and they went on their way. Lucas watched her real closely.
She suffered silently in pain as they journeyed home. And to keep herself in cheerful spirits, she reflected on her evening spent with Lucas so she could feel some peace. This was her strength. It was said of her many times that she carries pain so good to be well for others. But today, she needed someone to carry some strength to her. She needed someone to be there, but no one could. She was carrying a burden no one knew she had.
They finally reached home and got cleaned up for bed. As exhausted as they both were, they fell asleep instantaneously. It was about 3 a.m. when Lucas jumped up after hearing Lia scream in pain, and this time, he was taking no chances. Lucas indicated for her to get dress as he was going to take her to the emergency room. But before he could utter a word, she pointed to the draw on the side table. Lucas rushed to her side of the bed to open the draw to get what Lia asked him to.
Before he opened it, she whispered that she was sorry. Lucas looking at her confused turned to open the page. He recognized that it was from their physician, but he was not ready for what came next.
Tears began to fall down his cheeks as he read through the letter. That was the moment Lucas found out the woman that he loved, had “Stage 4 Metastatic Breast Cancer.” Not only that, she was pregnant with his child too.
There was complete SILENCE!
To be continued.
Kerique Hoo-Kim
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