Choosing Hope

"Hey, what's wrong?" Jess softly rubbed up and down Cailins back. Cailin began to cry harder
and gripped Jess even tighter.
"Cailin, talk to me, what's going on?"
The brunette pulled away and began trying to wipe away the never ending stream of tears. She
fiddled with her hands for a moment, not making eye contact, as she started to speak.
"I..Maura…" Cailin takes a minute to try and get the words that have become bitter, out in an
understandable sentence.
Jess could visibly see Cailin's struggle. She reached out and took Cailins hand in her own. "Take
your time Cailin, I'm here."
Cailin took a deep breath.She knew the only way she was going to be able to get the words out
was to just say it. "Maura believes that I have Leukemia.I have to see an oncologist this
morning." Cailin took a deep, shuddering breath. "I'm scared Jess.I know enough about this
disease to know that....." Cailin was stopped when Jess cut her off.
"No Cailin, you're not going to think about all of that. You are stronger than you know, and plus
you have all of us to get you through whatever may come. For now, you have to think positive.
You can't let the fear and negativity set in." Jess pulls Cailin back to her and hugs her tight. "No
matter what happens today, you are not alone."
Cailin buried her face in the redhead's neck. The moment was broken when Jess's alarm went off.
Sighing, she reluctantly released her hold on Cailin to shut it off. "I'm sorry Cailin.I have to get
to work, but if you want me to stay, I can call off."
Cailin shook her head and wiped away a few tears. "N-no Jess, it's okay, I'll be okay. You need
to get to work. I'll be with my mom." Cailin gave the redhead a weary smile. Just then, Maura
knocked on the door.
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