Loving Lizzy (The Serenity Mountain Series Book 6)

Chapter Thirty Seven

Lizzy leaned against Michael as they walked into the infusion center. True to their word, the women of Serenity loaded them down with things to donate to the infusion center patients.

When they arrived, Lizzy checked in as usual. She glanced inside the sterile area to see if her friends arrived yet. Over the last couple of weeks, she texted and called them to ensure they arrived at the same time. Again, she offered to drop Barb off at her home. It appeared she arrived first. When the nurse called her name, Lizzy took her bags and headed for three empty chairs.

Barb arrived, said hello to Michael, and rolled her walker toward Lizzy. “I love the straight hair in a ponytail. I see you decided to make lemons into lemonade. Personally, I like mine with vodka.”

She giggled. “Good morning. I hope you’re hungry. The bakery in our town made a ton of baked goods and she closed the shop early yesterday because of an emergency. She sent the goodies for us to share.” She handed Barb a bag full of fresh bread, oatmeal raisin cookies, croissants, and a brownie.

“Oh, what a nice surprise.” She took the bag and sat it on her tray as the nurse hooked her up to the lines. She placed a warm blanket over the older woman’s legs before leaving.

“A friend of mine owns a shop in town. She makes her own blends of tea and skin care products. She sent me samples to pass out to help the patients. They help with the nausea. Will you help me?”

“Sure. You seem like Suzy Sunshine today. First, you bring in your hot man to give us some eye candy, fill me with sweets and then bribe me with something to help with the puking. You’re an angel,” Barb teased.

“My halo’s a tad crooked,” Lizzy bantered.

Diana rushed inside. Neither the kids nor her mom accompanied her this time. The nurse escorted her back and proceeded to set up her patient. Lizzy took her in. The dark circles under her eyes contrasted against her pale skin. The typically confident woman seemed shaken.

“What’s wrong?” Barb leaned forward to get a better glance at her friend.

“Nothing, it’s the first break I’ve gotten all day. The baby suffers from croup, and I spent all night in the bathroom running the shower. Mom isn’t feeling good, and I paid my neighbor to watch the baby while I got Caleb off to school. Mom said she’ll pick him up from the bus stop,” she sighed.

“Is there anything we can help you with?” Lizzy offered.

She instantly shook her head. “No. I’ll settle down and maybe take a nap while I’m here.”

“Here,” She handed her a bakery bag. “My friend sent these over.”

Diana opened the bag and stared inside. “I didn’t eat this morning, thank you.”

Something set alarm bells off in Lizzy’s head as her friend stared at the food. She hadn’t considered her situation as dire as it seemed. The nurse returned to Diana and tucked a warm blanket around her. Fearing she might fall asleep before she implemented the plan she practiced with her friends in place.

“I used to work as an administrator at this hospital. I thought about your situation, did you know the hospital has a department which works with low-income families affected by chronic illnesses? You need to fill out a form and they’ll contact you about your needs.”

“Really?” The hope in the younger woman’s face made Lizzy want to pull her into a hug.

“Yeah, they use the information you provide with your insurance to determine your eligibility. My friend assured me it’s easy to qualify,” she informed her.

Diana sat straight up. Lizzy captured her attention. She pulled out the professional-looking form and handed it to her with a blank envelope and a pen. Kassie mentioned if she sealed the envelope thinking Lizzy planned to give it to her friend, she might answer the questions more honestly.

“If you fill it out, I can get it to my friend, and she’ll expedite it.”

The young mother took the forms. Her gaze drifted to the list as she began to check off the items listed. Lizzy felt grateful her friend listed items and left space for her to add any additional information. When she finished, she closed the form up and passed it back.

“Get something in your stomach.” Lizzy handed her Michael’s pre-made baggies of fresh fruit and veggies. Diana didn’t hesitate as she accepted the bag and began to eat.

Barb sat back and read her book as she cast apprehensive glances in Diana’s direction. Lizzy sipped a cup of peppermint tea and watched as the younger woman ate every last bit of food. She sent Michael a concerned glance. He picked up his phone and made some calls. Diana wrapped the blanket higher and drifted off to sleep.

She turned to Barb. “Do you know where she lives? I’m worried about her,” she whispered.

“She’s struggling and I’m afraid she’s too proud to admit how badly the situation escalated. Her job let her go, which means no money coming in and no insurance,” the older woman murmured.

“Can they do that?” Her heart fell, then pure rage filled her at the very idea of an employer firing someone who suffered from cancer.

Barb shook her head as she contemplated her friend. “I’m not sure she told them of her illness for fear they might let her go. She didn’t make it to the support group meeting on Tuesday. Usually, I invite her for a cup of coffee, or we sit and chat after meetings. She puts on a brave face, but she’s scared. She’s got two little ones to support, and I don’t think her mom is up to the job. I can’t say I blame her. She’s close to my age and it’s tough getting old. Trying to care for your own daughter plus the grandkids, I can’t imagine how she does it.”

Lizzy debated on confessing to Barb about what they planned and decided not to say a word. After all she would soon become a recipient of her friend’s goodwill too and she didn’t want her to feel like a charity case. She knew Barb saw a younger version of herself in Diana, which meant she witnessed the stubbornness and pride in her as well.

“I don’t know what you and your wonderful specimen of a man have plotting, but I’ll help in any way I can. No one deserves to go through this alone. She’s young with kids and an entire future ahead of her. Life’s difficult enough as a single mom, she doesn’t need to worry about this.”

Lizzy nodded.

When her treatment finished, she waited while the nurse took care of business and picked up her bags. She left Samantha’s care package on Diana’s table and motioned to Barb they’d wait outside for her.

As soon as the glass doors opened, she flew into Michael’s arms. He held her close and rubbed her back in a soothing gesture.

“Did she fill out the form? Victoria texted twice already asking if you convinced her to fill it out.” Michael moved to the chairs facing the double glass door and sat Lizzy down before taking a seat beside her. As patients walked in and out of the room, she passed out the remaining goodies from Bryanna and Samantha.

“I’m afraid the situation turned worse Michael. She lost her job. Her mom fell sick, and she paid a neighbor to watch the baby. I gave her the food you packed, and she gobbled it down as if she’s gone without food. She says she didn’t eat this morning. Somehow, I don’t believe it’s the first meal she’s skipped. Now, without a job, will she continue chemo? She’ll have to apply for aid, and it can take a month or more for it to kick in.”

“Don’t worry, sweetheart, we’ll get her sorted out as soon as we see what she listed on the form. The team is on standby, and we can get her the stuff as soon as this evening. I’m concerned the stress and lack of proper nutrition might negatively affect her health.” Michael frowned as he thought about her friend’s situation.

“I wish we could pack her up and bring her to Serenity. She and Barb need a bit of tender loving care from the Serenity crew. It makes me appreciate them even more. It’s not only how they’ve cared for us. Edie made me the prayer shawl and told me maybe I’m on this journey for a reason. I loved you when we first married, and the life we made together. I regret I didn’t communicate how I felt and made decisions for you rather letting you decide what’s best for yourself. Cancer taught me you’ll stay beside me even when I’m not perfect.”

Michael’s eyes turned watery as she gently kissed his lips and whispered, “I’ll never doubt your love for me again.”