Page 73 - Reason To Sing by Kelita Haverland

Chapter Eleven

every word in shock and disbelief, waiting for more. My heart
thumps wildly as I try to calm my nerves. There is a long pause.
I press my ear against the wood as hard as I can. She is crying.
My poor Mommy. I close my eyes as I lean back against
the wall. My old friend Nausea hits me like a tidal wave. It
slams my heart, my head, my gut - my whole body is ablaze
with a need to vomit. But there are more words from behind
the door.
“Yes, yes, I’m doing okay. We’re going to keep it very quiet.”
Another pause. “Yes, of course he knows. In fact, he’s right
here beside me as we speak.”
I can hear a smile in her voice. She continues, “I’m glad
too. It sure helps. I’ll talk to you again soon. I love you. Bye for
now.” She hangs up the phone and there is silence. A deadly,
eerie quiet that renders me afraid to breathe.
Can this be real? After everything else we have been
through can it be true that Mommy has got cancer? How can
this be? She doesn’t look sick. I don’t understand. How is this
happening?
I can feel my tears fighting to escape but I hold my breath
and force them back. I mustn’t let them know I’ve been
listening in on her private call. And besides, Mike is with her.
Now I can hear them whispering. It’s hard to make out what
they’re saying. I give up trying and just replay what I’ve heard.
Over and over again.
The door opens, jolting me from my thoughts. I immediately
slip into actress-mode, composing myself and pretending I’ve
just come from down the hallway.
“Hey, Mom. What’s going on?” I smile cheerily, innocent
as pie. At 12 years old, I am already a darned good actress.
“Why don’t you go get the Chinese take-out menu, Kelita?”
Her smile is weak, like she is trying too hard. “I don’t feel like

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