Chapter 13
Chapter
Thirteen
YOU CAN’T TEABAG A NUN
Neve
It feels like an eternity while Doctor Cahill takes images or whatever that machine is doing to finish. He writes some notes down on his computer before turning to us. Those eyes land on me and I feel my stomach drop. “It’s not good news, is it?” I whisper.
Bella looks from me to the doctor. “Hey Princess, let’s go hit up the vending machines and fill your pockets with all the chocolate and sweets.” She claps and takes Hope’s hand.
“But I don’t have any pockets,” Hope states.
“Then we can fill mine or we can get a bag,” Bella quips quickly, leaving the room.
We don’t break eye contact the entire time. “So come on then Doc, what’s the verdict?” I whisper.
“I can’t give you a diagnosis, but from what the optician’s saw and from what I saw, there is a swelling on the optic disc. This is what would cause the visual problems.” He pauses.
“So she will need surgery to fix it? Oh my god, is she going to lose her sight?” I ask panicked.
He reaches forward and takes my hand in his. “It can be caused by many things. I am recommending she has an MRI scan. We need to determine what is causing the pressure that is affecting her sight.”
I frown. “Oh god, a brain tumour?!” I screech.
He shakes his head. “Not necessarily, but we need to rule all possibilities out.”
I snatch my hand from his and stand, feeling my heart beat through my chest as worry and panic set in. “I’ve watched Grey’s Anatomy, nearly every damn show there was a brain tumour, so don’t lie to me,” I rant. My tears start to fall and I start to struggle to breathe.
Without warning the doctor pulls me into his arms and holds me, his hand soothingly rubbing up and down my back.
“Shhh, calm breaths, in and out, slow steady breaths. Listen to my steady heartbeat,” he soothes.
I close my eyes and listen to his calming voice and heart.
“Remember there are still a lot of tests to be done. It could be a number of things,” he states softly.
My breathing has calmed and I nod my head against his chest, feeling my body relax in the comfort of his hold. The door opens. “Well, don’t mind us,” Bella blurts out. I jump back, wiping my face.
“Oh, Doctor Cahill was helping me with my breathing. I had a little panic attack,” I explain.
“Hhm, hhm.” Bella smirks.
Doctor Cahill clears his throat. “You will be seen for an MRI in the next day or so. I’ve requested that it is urgent, so you get seen quicker.
” He bends down to Hope and holds out his hand.
“Hope, this is for being the most perfect patient.” He smiles and hands her a sticker and a lolly and she smiles happily.
He turns to me and holds out his hand. I place mine in his and shake.
Pulling back I’ve noticed he’s given me his business card.
“Please call me should you need anything at all,” he adds.
I nod. “Thank you for all your help today.” I turn and take Hope’s hand in mine and walk through the hospital.
“I’m guessing we are going to need wine?” Bella asks.
I shake my head no. “No, we are going to need vodka,” I retort.
“Shit. That isn’t good.” She sighs.
Once Hope is in bed I walk into the living room and Bella holds out a glass of vodka and ice. I ignore her outreached hand and grab the bottle off of the table instead.
“Fuck, it’s really fucking bad then,” Bella mutters as she downs my drink and then hers.
“There’s a chance it could be a brain tumour,” I mutter before glugging the vodka. I cough. “Shit that’s disgusting.” I wheeze as the alcohol burns my throat.
Bella snatches the bottle from me and downs some.
“Fuck me that burns!” she chokes. “Okay, so that is scary right, but I mean look at her, she is healthy. She is happy. Nothing is wrong with her like that. I’m sure whatever it is, it’s fixable.
I mean if she had it, then surely there would be other signs too.
At the end of the day doctors have to tell you every scenario, right?
So that you don’t sue them. That’s all that option is, it’s a scenario. A big, shitty scenario,” she states.
I nod, she’s right. Me getting worked up over a possibility isn’t going to help. “You’re right, but can I have full permission to lose my shit if it is that?” I ask.
Bella smiles softly and wraps her arm around me. I rest my head on her shoulder. “Babes, if it’s that then you won’t be alone in losing your shit. We can do it together.” She sighs.
There’s a knock at the door and I sit up and frown at Bella.
“Doctor Phil coming over tonight?” I ask.
Bella shakes her head no. I get up to answer the door, it’s only 7:30 at night but we haven’t buzzed anyone into the building so it’s weird to not know who is already at the door.
I open the door and see a nun stood there.
“Holy fuck,” I blurt out. I gasp and quickly cover my mouth. “So sorry. Um, can I help you?” I ask.
She smiles sweetly. “I’m collecting for the church dear. We are trying to raise money for our Sunday school, to help educate the children on all matters of our lord and the holy bible.” She smiles.
“Er, um...” I stutter.
“Mummy, why is there a nun at the door?” Hope asks yawning and rubbing her eyes. She walks to stand beside me.
“You should be in bed. The nun is raising money for their Sunday school,” I explain.
She frowns. “Well she woke me up, and we don’t believe in god,” Hope states bluntly.
“Now child, you may think you don’t believe in god, but who made the sun shine so bright? Who made the beautiful creatures of the earth and who made you?” The nun smiles.
“Oh, um I wouldn’t.” I try to warn the nun. My daughter may be just four years old and she may be little and cute but don’t ever question her. She’s a smart girl.
“Look lady, I am four but I have watched those boring TV shows about the earth, and that man with the nice sounding voice that talks about the animals and climate control,” Hope rants.
“It’s called climate change, sweetie,” Bella yells from the sofa.
“That’s what I said, climate control.” She nods. “I know that what you say is something called science. That skinny man says about it on the TV. You know Mum, the one that makes you laugh,” she adds.
I choke back my laughter. “That’s Sheldon from The Big Bang Theory,” I correct.
She yawns again and shrugs. “Uh huh. Sorry lady nun, I’m tired and need my sleep now. Goodbye.” She yawns again and proceeds to close the door on the nun before shuffling herself back to bed.
I quickly open the door. “I am so, so sorry. She can be a bit grumpy when tired,” I apologise before reaching for my purse.
I hand out some money and the nun snatches it from my hand. “That child needs an exorcism,” the nun snaps. I stand there stunned, not really sure what to say.
Bella stands beside me. “Listen here penguin, that little girl is perfect in every way, not because of god but because of this wonderful human being,” she says, pointing to me.
“You on the other hand need to piss off and stop being such a cunt.” Bella smirks and slams the door in her face, before sauntering back to the sofa.
“Oh my god Bella, you can’t say things like that to a nun!” I screech mortified.
Bella laughs. “Mic drop! Damn, I am on fire! She totally deserved that.” Bella laughs. “I should totally do that game thing, you know, when they win.” She pauses thinking and tapping her index finger on her chin. “Tea-bagging! That’s it. I totally should have tea-bagged that nun.” Bella laughs.
“Oh my god! You can’t tea bag a nun!” I exclaim.
Bella laughs. “Oh get with the times, it’s a gaming thingy. Seriously, internet search it. On second thoughts that is probably not a good idea, it will probably come up with the other type of tea-bagging.” Bella shudders.
I shake my head in disbelief. You would think after all the years we have been friends she couldn’t surprise me anymore, but yet she does. I walk into Hope’s bedroom, seeing her already curled up in her bed, “Sweetie?” I whisper.
“Ugh,” she grunts.
I smile and tuck her in, “Sweetie in future, we respect other people’s views and beliefs, okay?” I whisper before kissing the top of her head.
“Sorry Mummy,” she states sleepily.
“Sleep, tomorrow we will go and apologise to the nun,” I whisper.
I walk back into the living area and sit down. “Here.” Bella hands me the vodka bottle. I take it and take a long swig.
“Holy moly, that burns.” I cough.