Chapter 1


Samantha wasn’t the most popular girl in her school but was well known by the other students. She had been struggling with keeping her B average because of her health. The doctors weren’t quite sure what was wrong with her yet but she was absences from school were increasing. Since she was constantly out of school or struggling to do the make up work, she didn’t really have time for a boyfriend. She spent what little spare time she did have obsessing over men she’d never meet, at least that’s what she thought.

“Samantha honey. I’m worried. Are you sure you can make this work up? Finals are soon and if you aren’t up to it maybe I can arrange for you to take them here at home,” Sam’s mom said.

“Mom, I don’t know. Can I sleep in and see how I feel?” Sam asked tiredly.

“Honey, just stay home, you look pale,” Her mom said.

“Thanks mom,” Sam said as she pulled her winter blanket over her head and settled her head on her soft pillow.

“My goodness, it’s 95 degrees in here. There must be something wrong with her,” Sam’s mom mumbled on her way out Sam’s sloppy room. She was surprised she didn’t trip over all the crap lying everywhere on Sam’s bedroom floor. The phone rang and Sam’s mom ran to pick it up. “Hello?” she asked.

“Hi, Mrs. Brown?” The polite voice said on the other end.

“Yes,” she replied.

“This is Doctor Sinclair calling, I have some news about your daughter Samantha,” She said.

“Yes, what is it?” Mrs. Brown replied confused.

“We ran some tests on those blood and mouth scrapings and I’m afraid it’s much more serious than we thought,” Doctor Sinclair said calmly.

“Go on, what is it,” She replied.

“Your daughter has a rare form of cancer. We need to start treatment right away,” the doctor informed Mrs. Brown.

“What do you mean treatment?” Mrs. Brown snapped back at the doctor as her eyes teared up. She was so shocked her tears wouldn’t fall.

“We need to start radiation or chemotherapy as soon as possible,” Doctor Sinclair said seriously.

“And what if we decide not to go on with this treatment,” Mrs. Brown snipped.

“Then Samantha’s life will be cut short of many years. I don’t think she could afford not to go on with it.” She declared.

“I want a second opinion,” Mrs. Brown protested, “It’s just a bad cold, it’s not cancer. My baby doesn’t have cancer.”

“I can understand your concern with the test results. You can go to a second doctor but I ensure you the results will be the same. I don’t know if your daughter can afford to waste the time for more tests to come back,” the doctor rebutted. “I want to schedule a meeting with you and your daughter as soon as possible, how about tomorrow?”

“Ummm…” Mrs. Brown said stunned. “I guess.”

“Noon?” the doctor asked.

“Sure,” She said dazed.

“Ok see you tomorrow,” the doctor confirmed to make sure Mrs. Brown remembered.

“Yes,” she replied. She hung up the phone and burst into tears. “How am I going to tell Samantha?”