Chapter 2

Mr. Baker stumbled backwards and nearly knocked over Melody’s IV stand. “C-cancer?” he gasped. “My baby has cancer?”

Dr. Jones sighed sadly. “I’m afraid so. Bruising, fatigue, and bleeding without clotting are classic symptoms of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia.”

“This isn’t possible!” Mrs. Baker said quietly. Her husband seemed to have lost the ability to speak. “Melody is only twelve years old! She cannot have cancer!”

“A bone marrow aspiration at the Children’s Hospital will confirm the diagnosis.” Dr. Jones replied calmly.

Melody’s eyes grew wide as a dozen thoughts zoomed through her head. How could she have cancer? She’d just turned twelve five months ago! She wasn’t even a teenager! “What do you mean ‘hospital?’” Melody asked fearfully. “I can’t go to the hospital! I’ve got an ice skating tournament in two days!” She struggled to sit up, but Mrs. Baker gently pushed her back down.

“The best place to go would be the Children’s Cancer Hospital in North Carolina. They specialize is cancer that’s diagnosed among children and teenagers. They’ve got classrooms and teachers there and experts who are trained just to help kids like Melody. They’ve got the best medical equipment available.” Dr. Jones said, his voice still calm and cool. So calm that it went to the point of annoying.

“How…” Mr. Baker paused. He seemed to regain his voice. “How long will she have to remain in the hospital?”

“Until we achieve remission.” Dr. Jones answered. “It could take weeks or months and there are different combinations of drugs that you must take. The main one is chemotherapy, but there are other drugs that can make you sick but are very power, like chemotherapy. After you achieve remission, you receive maintenance therapy at your own Children’s Hospital as an outpatient. If you remain in remission for five years, we consider you cured.” for the first time, he smiled.

“I don’t want my daughter to go all the way to North Carolina!” Mr. Baker boomed. “I don’t want her to go to any hospital! What if I refuse treatment?”

Dr. Jones lowered his eyes slightly. “That would be very unwise, Mr. Baker. 90 of patients die within the year that they are diagnosed if they’re untreated.”

Mr. Baker slowly lowered himself into a chair and buried his face in his hands. He looked so lost and confused. He didn’t want his daughter to die. But he didn’t want her to go to North Carolina either. Finally, after five minutes, his head raised again. “She’ll go to North Carolina.” he said slowly. “I want my baby to get well.”

“How soon?” Mrs. Baker asked, her voice trembling.

“As soon as possible.” Dr. Jones replied gently. “I recommend that you get a flight for tomorrow.”

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It was decided that Mr. Baker would fly out with Melody to North Carolina. Then, that weekend, Mrs. Baker would fly out with three of her sons and the weekend after that, Mr. Baker would fly out with the other two. When Matt found out about Melody having leukemia, he was extremely upset and promised to visit as soon as possible.

That day, Melody stood in her room packing. A duffel bag lay open on her bed. She put in books, photos, posters, CD’s, slippers, and hair accessories and makeup. Her mother was downstairs making arrangements for the flight tomorrow and her father was in his bedroom packing for his weekend stay in North Carolina.

As she unpinned her Orlando Bloom calendar down from the wall, she sighed. “I could never go anywhere without you.” she said wistfully

“You ready, Melody?” Mrs. Baker asked from the other side of the door. “You’ll need to be awake at three because your plain leaves at six and you need to be there two hours early.”

“Almost.” Melody replied glumly. She looked around her room. She was going to miss it dearly. Instead of being in her girl-friendly room, she’d be in a medicine-friendly room and she’d probably have to share with some snob.

Mrs. Baker entered. “You okay, sweetie?” she asked.

“I’ve just been diagnosed with cancer, Mom. Would you be okay?” she retorted.

Her mother looked as if she had been slapped. “Melody…” she said, her voice breaking. “I’d do anything if I could make this all go away, but I can’t! Please believe me!” a few tears trickled out of her eyes.

Melody turned away and faced her now bare walls. She knew her mother was telling the truth, but at that moment, she didn’t want to believe anyone, for fear they would just bring more bad news.

Changing the subject, Mrs. Backer said, “So what are you going to wear tomorrow?”

Melody turned and held up a light green skirt and matching sandals and a blouse. “If I’m going to the hospital, I might as well arrive in style.” she declared.

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The next morning, Melody was awoken when it was early, but not bright yet. She dressed quickly into the green outfit and hugged each of her brothers, all of whom had woken up with her just to say goodbye. Damian started to cry as he tugged on Melody’s arm, begging her not to go.

In the car, it was silent. The roads were empty and Mr. Baker didn’t say a word. Mrs. Baker was with them so she could drive the car back after they left while Dylan watched over his brothers, trying to get them to go back to sleep. Damian had cried so hard that it was decided that he could go to the airport with them. He was now sleeping in the backseat with Melody, snoring softly with his little thumb in his mouth.

“Mom, did you call Alicia?” Melody asked, referring to her best friend.

“Not yet. I’ll call her later on today and she can call you.” Mrs. Baker replied tonelessly.

Melody sighed loudly. She’d kept her emotions bottled up inside of her so far and if she did it any longer, she’d crack. She needed to talk to someone who understand. Someone who wouldn’t not listen just because she was only twelve.

After an hour, they arrived at the airport. They waited and waited. Mr. Baker bought Melody a Winnie the Pooh bear and she cuddled and hugged it. She’d loved Winnie the Pooh since she was little and always got excited when she saw him, even now.

When the time finally came to get on the plane, Melody hugged both of her mother and her brother goodbye. Mrs. Baker held her daughter tight, not wanting to let you go. “I’ll see you in a week.” she whispered into her ear. “I love you.” both of them started to cry.

Mr. Baker hugged his wife and led his daughter into the gateway. She was on her way to a cure.