California Diaries # 11: Dawn III: Missing by Whitney Read Free Book Online Page B

cancer.
    “Dawn,” Mr. Winslow went on, “we’ve decided to terminate chemotherapy.”
    “Terminate it? You mean it’s over? That’s gr – ”
    Mr. Winslow held up his hand to stop me. “It’s being terminated because it
    isn’t working any longer. It’s doing more harm than good.”
    I frowned, taking this in. Finally I said, “Wel , what are they going to do
    instead? Radiation?”
    Mrs. Winslow shook her head.
    At this particular moment, Sunny walked through the front door. She saw
    me in the dining room with her parents, turned, and headed up the stairs to her
    room.
    “Maybe I’l go talk to Sunny,” I said to the Winslows.
    They nodded.
    At the bottom of the stairs I looked up and saw Sunny sitting on the top
    step. She wasn’t in her room after al .
    “Hi,” I said. “Your dad just told me – ”
    “I know what he just told you,” Sunny said, interrupting.
    “Well, do you – ”
    “No, I do not want to talk about it.”
    “But – ”
    “I SAID I do not want to talk about it.”
    I called good-bye to Mr. and Mrs. Winslow and left.
    Later Thursday afternoon 3/4
    I have to say that I’m kind of glad Carol took off so much time from work
    after Gracie was born. She’s not going to go back for two or three more months,
    and I confess that (usually) I like finding her at home in the afternoons. Today
    was one of those days.
    When I left Sunny’s house I burst through our front door and told Carol the
    Winslows’ news.
    Carol frowned. “Oh boy,” she said softly.
    “Do you think this means there’s nothing left to do for Mrs. Winslow?” I
    asked. “We didn’t really finish our conversation.”
    “I don’t know.”
    Good old Carol. I might just have worried and wondered, but Carol phoned
    next door and talked to Mr. Winslow. When she hung up the phone she held her
    arms out and gave me a hug. Then she said, “No more treatment, Dawn. They’ve
    done everything they can do.”
    “But – but – ” I sputtered. “But that’s not fair! How can the doctors just
    decide something like that? It’s Mrs. Winslow’s life, not theirs. If the Winslows
    want to keep paying for treatments, then the doctors have to go along with that.
    Don’t they?” I cried.
    “Honey, it wasn’t the doctors’ decision.”
    “You mean it was Mr. Winslow’s? But that’s not fair either!”
    “No, it was Mr. and Mrs. Winslow’s decision, Dawn.”
    I was speechless. Carol sat me at the kitchen table and put the kettle on
    for tea. Then she sat down next to me.
    Finally I said, “But why would Mrs. Winslow decide something like that? I
    don’t understand.”
    “I think she’s being realistic. The treatments aren’t working. They aren’t
    doing anything but making her sick.”
    “So no one’s going to do anything for her anymore?”
    “Oh, no. That’s not what I mean,” said Carol. “Mrs. Winslow will still be
    cared for. The doctors will do everything they can to make her feel as
    comfortable as possible. But they don’t believe they can cure the cancer now.”
    Thursday night 3/4
    I do not know what to think about Mrs. Winslow.
    Friday morning 3/5
    Tonight I am going to see Pierre live and in person I wish I were as excited
    now as I was yesterday morning. But I can’t stop thinking about Mrs. Winslow
    and
    Uh-oh
    Cafeteria, Friday 3/5
    I stopped writing when I noticed an ambulance in the Winslows’ driveway
    again. This time it was taking Mrs. Winslow back to the hospital. Something to do
    with her breathing.
    Friday afternoon 3/5
    I have to stop obsessing about Mrs. Winslow. It’s making me crazy. I think
    I’ll concentrate on the concert instead, which will take place in a mere seven
    (that’s 7) hours. At that time I will see Pierre X. It is possible that I could be just a few yards away from him. A few YARDS.
    Later Friday afternoon 3/5
    Conversation with Dad the SECOND he got home from work:
    Dad: So, are you excited about the concert, Dawn?
    Me: I can’t wait! Thanks again for