Miracle Child ~ Chapter One

Miracle Child is a story I am writing for fun.  I may or may not publish it.  I hope you like it!  I am open to suggestions.

Chapter One:

"Are you going to the dance this Saturday?" I ask my friend Kellie, holding the phone to my ear.

"Of course I am, Shirley!  Why wouldn't I?  Are you going?  I hope you do," Kellie's high pitched voice stings my ears and I wince.

"I think I'm going.  I have to pay for my own dress and I'm broke.  The only clothing I have are Nike shorts and tank tops.  I can't go in those!" I exclaim.

"Does your sister have anything you can wear?  I'm sure she has something nice from the dance from when she was in 8th grade," Kellie goes on and on about wearing one of my sister's hand me downs.

She soon finished speaking, and I swiftly switch the phone to my other ear and take a deep, painful breath.  My lungs are acting up again.

"Shirley?  Are you there?" Kellie asks.

I heave a weak breath and speak,"Yeah, I'm here.  My lungs were misbehaving again."

"Haven't you gone to the doctor yet?  You should really get that checked out," Kellie scolds me for something I've done already.

"Yes, I've already been to the doctor.  We are supposed to get the results today," I answer, and as I do, my mother walks into the room.  I look at her.  She motions for me to get off the phone.

"Hey Kellie, I've got to go.  I'll call you back.  Okay?"

Before she answers, I hang up, eager to hear what Mother has to say.

She leads me into the dining room and pulls up a chair for me.  I sit down.  Tension fills the room.

"Mother, is everything alright?" I ask, worried.

Mother looks down at her twidling hands.  

"Mother," I say firmly, "Tell me what is the matter."

She hesitates, then says, "The doctor thinks it is cancer."

My stomach flops and I take a wheezy breath.  I let my feelings of question take over my face and I point to my lung area.

Mother nods then reaches to hug me, but I pull away.

"No.  That's not true.  You're lying.  You always lie.  WHy should I trust you?"  I am shaking.  I am breathing heavily.  I run to my room, scared.

'It's just a dream.  Just a nightmare, Shirley, hold on,' I remember thinking these words over and over as I fell asleep.