A Family of Their Own (12 page)

“I don’t understand.” Kelsey’s hand knotted in her lap. “Why does Lucy need another test?”

“Two tests, Mrs. Rhodes.” He looked at her. “I’ve studied her last MRI and I see something I’d like to view more carefully.” His gaze drifted to Lucy. “You want to be well, I know, Lucy, so you’re willing to have a couple more tests.”

She glanced at her mother, then eyed Dr. Bryant. “What kind of test?”

His grin looked guarded. “Nothing that will hurt or keep you in the hospital.”

Relief flooded her face. “Okay.”

“You’ve had the PET scan before. You’ll get a low-dose injection of radioactive sugar followed by the scan.”

Lucy nodded. “I remember.”

Kelsey’s stomach knotted. He’d spotted something, or he wouldn’t do this. She wanted to know, but did she want Lucy to hear what was wrong? The muscles in her neck tightened.

“The other test is one Lucy’s never had.” He looked at Kelsey, then gazed at the paperwork on his desk. “This is another form of brain MRI. A fairly new process called fMRI, which means functional magnetic resonance imaging. The procedure is very similar to your regular MRI.”

Kelsey’s heart constricted. “What is this for, doctor?”

He paused a moment, his eyes focused on the paperwork. “We realized that Lucy’s lesion has increased since her last brain MRI. I’d like to check it out and see what’s happening there.”

Kelsey closed her eyes, not wanting to know the answer to her question. “Why would this happen?”

“That’s what we want to learn from the tests. It’s likely scar tissue and that’s always a problem. You know we have to keep that to a minimum.”

“And if it’s not that?”

He released a sigh. “It could be a small tumor.”

“No.” Lucy’s voice burst from her. “I don’t want to go through all that again.”

“I know, Lucy. I know. But this is to keep you healthy. We can take care of an early problem. You have to be happy we spotted it before it turned into something more serious.”

“But will they ever stop?”

Lucy’s plaintive plea rent Kelsey’s heart. She slipped her arm around Lucy’s shoulder. “These tests may show that you’re fine. Let’s just get them over with, okay?”

She gave a slow nod.

“I’ll get the tests scheduled for you, and I’ll give you a call.”

Kelsey nodded as he closed the file and then stood. She beckoned Lucy to rise.

Dr. Bryant gave Lucy a tender look. “We’ll fix whatever needs fixing, Lucy, and hopefully, it’s nothing at all.”

“I don’t have much choice, do I?”

Her soft response sounded pitiful, and Kelsey struggled to keep her wits about her. “Let’s go.” She guided Lucy through the door and down the hallway, longing to call Ross, but she stopped herself. If the relationship ends… Sadness swept over her. If it ended, she’d have to find her solace and support somewhere else. She gazed at Lucy’s stressed face. Today
she needed to talk with someone. Images rifled through her mind. Lexie. After they were home, she would call her. Lexie listened well and understood. That’s what she needed.

“W
e’re anxious to hear what you’ve decided.” Ross kept his hands in his lap, fearing that his apprehension would show.

Dr. Timmons looked over the top of his glasses. “This will be your decision, Mr. Salburg, but I think we have a good chance with this new medication.”

“Really?” The tremors in his hands became more obvious, and he wove his fingers even tighter in his lap. “What does this mean?”

The specialist flipped open a file and studied it a moment. “I consulted with a number of heart specialists who have more experience with the new medication than I have. Two of them were ones who received it first to help identify the successes and failures in using it.” He lifted his gaze to Ross. “And yes, we can have failures, but these aren’t life-threatening. They just don’t do the job we’d hoped.”

That’s what Ross feared—failure—and that meant disappointment. Discouragement always set him back worse than anything else. Hope could too easily be dampened by the reality of another unsuccessful attempt. “But you think this will work for Peyton?”

Timmons nodded. “The condition of her heart is statisti
cally more apt to experience improvement with the medication than not.”

Air drained from Ross’s lungs. “Then that’s good news.”

“Yes. The medication is expensive and new, so it means dealing with your insurance company. We’ll send them an explanation and hope they will approve it.”

Insurance. The only thing Ross cared about was seeing his daughter healthy. “If not, I could pay for it myself.”

The specialist’s head jerked upward. “We’re talking thousands per month. Let’s hope your insurance covers it.”

Thousands. His mind darted from solution to solution. But reality told him that while he made a decent living, thousands would run out in time, and then what?

“Mr. Salburg, please don’t think this is hopeless. We have good statistics, and we’ll contact your insurance company with the request. If they refuse, then we’ll see how we might deal with it.”

Hope with an addendum. He wanted to burst with joy, but that didn’t happen. “How long will it take to get a response?”

“I’ll get the information ready today, and then it’s up to them. I hope within a couple of weeks.” He gave Peyton a hopeful look. “But don’t be disappointed if they refuse. They sometimes do that, and we’ll appeal the case.”

Ross’s shoulders slumped as he rose. “Thank you.” He extended his hand, and Timmons grasped it.

“We’ll let you know as soon as we hear anything.”

Ross nodded, wrapped his arm around Peyton’s shoulders and left the room. As they headed outside, he realized how much Peyton had grown in the past few months. Once she’d reached the top of his elbow, and today her head was close to his shoulder. Twelve. A young woman soon. The thought made him cringe. He needed to talk with her, and he dreaded it—the talk her mother should give, not her father. He pressed his lips together, wishing he could find the courage today.

“What do you think, Peyton? You’re quiet.”

“I want to get better, and I keep praying that this will work. Now I have to pray for the insurance to cover it.” She shook her head. “Dad, does anything ever happen in life that is problem-free?”

“Some things do.” He drew her closer to his side. “But count on problems sometimes. They happen to good people.”

“Like us?”

He nodded. “Yes, people like us.” Kelsey’s face flashed before him. She’d hurt him the other night, and he didn’t know how to resolve that problem, either.

“But maybe it will work out, and I’ll get better. Then our lives will be good.” She tilted her head toward him, her eyes asking. “Right?”

“Right. We’ll keep praying that God has good things in store for us.”

Her step seemed lighter as they headed into the parking lot, but Ross’s didn’t. Normally he’d call Kelsey to tell her the results of this visit, but now he wondered where they stood. He hadn’t called her since Easter, trying to get his head on straight. He still prickled from her comments. She seemed to think he coddled Peyton. That was the word she’d used.
Coddled.
How do you not focus on a sick child? How do you not try to ease her suffering and fear with special treatment? Kelsey wasn’t hard-hearted. He knew that. So what was going on with her? That’s what he wanted to know.

Kelsey folded her notes from the MOSK meeting and tucked them into her notebook while Lexie waited beside the door. When she turned, Lexie opened her arms.

“I’m really sorry about the news, Kelsey.”

Her chest tightened. “So am I, but I’m trying to stay positive.”

“You should, because the doctor said he didn’t know for sure, and it could be nothing.” She slipped her arm around her shoulders. “No Ross today, either. I’m surprised. He seems
to get a lot out of the meetings. He sometimes talks to Ethan about it.”

She nodded, trying to hold back the remorse she felt. She knew she shouldn’t have said a word about the bedroom. Not only what she said to Ross, but how she said it came across so wrong.

“I’m sure he hated to tell you his good news when you’d just gotten something new to worry about.”

Good news.
Her head jerked upward. “What good news?”

Lexie’s arm slipped from her back. “What? Are you telling me you haven’t talked with him?”

“Not in a couple of days.” More than a couple. Her depression deepened.

Lexie’s eyes narrowed and a frown slid to her face. “An argument?”

She shrugged. “Not an argument really. Just words, but words I shouldn’t have said.”

“I’m sorry, Kelsey.” She shook her head. “Want to talk about it?”

She bit her lip. She hated to talk about it because it showed her nasty side, and it shamed her. But Lexie had a good head, so she decided to tell her what had happened.

Lexie stood a moment, digesting her explanation. “What happened to the woman who can soothe a raging lion?”

“I guess I’m better at soothing lions than at taking care of my own conduct. I’m really sorry about what I said, but that’s how I felt that day. Lucy kept bringing it up and making me feel as if I’m not a good mother, because I didn’t give her my bedroom. I—”

“You said what’s important. You’re sorry.”

Kelsey closed her eyes and pondered what Lexie said. “I am, but within it all, there is some truth.”

“Truth is sometimes in the eyes of the beholder.”

“I thought that was beauty.” She tried to grin, but it didn’t happen.

“It’s the same thing, isn’t it? Truth. Beauty. It’s our perspective. Ross did what he felt he needed to do for his daughter. It was a kind thing. We criticize people for being cruel and unloving to their children. Ross treats his daughter the way Jesus said. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

The sting of Lexie’s comment hit home. “You’re right.”

“And it’s something he can undo.”

“In time.”

Kelsey heart skipped. “What’s his good news?” She listened as Lexie told her about the new medication that could make a huge difference in Peyton’s life. As the words sank in, her spirit lifted with hope for Ross’s daughter. The girl needed something good in her life. Losing a mother and being stricken with the same disease that took her assailed Kelsey with full force. A child bearing the weight of so much difficulty. But now she had hope. She could win the battle. “I’m glad you told me. Even if he’s upset with me, I want him to know how happy I am.”

“That’s the right thing to do.”

It was. She reached up and snapped off the meeting-room light. “I’ll call him when I get home. My sister’s due any minute, and I hate to keep her waiting.”

“No, you don’t want to do that.” She chuckled.

Lexie had heard Kelsey’s complaints about her sister a few times, and that’s another thing Kelsey sometimes felt sad about. She should try to lighten up.

She waved to Lexie as she slipped into her car, reviewing what she should say to Ross and wondering when she could talk to him if her sister was already there.

Relief washed through her when she pulled down her street and saw her driveway empty. Hopefully, she would have a few minutes before Audrey arrived. She glanced at her watch, pleased that it wasn’t as late as she thought. The conversation with Lexie must have been shorter than it seemed.

She headed inside and dropped her purse and notebook on the kitchen counter, grabbed a glass of water and headed for the phone, but it rang before she could dial. Her pulse skipped, envisioning that the caller was Ross. Instead, she recognized the doctor’s office and answered.

“Mrs. Rhodes, Lucy’s tests are set for Monday, May 30. The fMRI will be first and then the PET scan is scheduled. You should be at the hospital by nine. I hope this works for you.”

“That’s fine. We’ll be there.” She hung up the phone, struck by the reality of the call. Lucy facing more serious tests. She’d never wanted to go through this again. Tears sprang into her eyes, tears she’d kept buried. But not today.

She crossed the room and reached for a napkin to wipe away the moisture. When her vision cleared, she looked at the clock. She barely had time to call. Audrey could arrive any second, but she didn’t want to wait any longer. As she approached the telephone, it rang again, and eyeing the number, her heart constricted. Ross. He’d called despite her unpleasant comments. Her fingers shook as she gripped the headset. “Ross.”

“Kelsey, no matter how angry you are at me, you should have called me.”

Tears welled in her eyes. “I…” She choked back a sob. “I’m sorry and…” No words expressed the dismal feelings smothering her. “I’d planned to call you when I got in. My sister’s due any minute, but I heard about Peyton’s medicine. I’m so happy. I thank God.”

“I’m glad.” His voice had softened, and within it, she heard hesitation. “Tell me about Lucy.”

Her throat compressed as she told him. He’d been her source of security, her support, these past few months, and she missed that. She missed him.

“This tears me up. How could this happen? She’s been doing so well. A year. More than a year.”

“I know, and it’s the uncertainty that puts me on edge.” She sank into a chair. “Remember when you told me about the medicine? You were afraid that the doctor wouldn’t feel it was right for Peyton, and you feared it might be, because you still faced the indefinite results.” She closed her eyes. “I guess that’s how I feel. I pray it’s nothing. A misreading. A fluke in the image.” She dragged in a breath. “Not another tumor. I don’t think I could bear it.”

“I understand. Even now we have no guarantee about the insurance or the success. It’s still up in the air.” She listened as he explained the insurance situation, asking herself what would she do if Lucy’s treatments cost hundreds of thousands that weren’t covered. The answer was clear. As Ross said, she would do anything. Sell her house. Whatever it took.

“God can make anything happen, Ross. We just have to pray.”

“Unceasingly.”

How many times had she told herself that? “And we will.”

Ross hesitated. “So where do we stand? I need to see you.” His plea etched with apprehension.

Kelsey winced at the sound. Her comment had wounded him, and yet her concern had been real. They needed time, but how? Her sister would arrive at any moment. She had no idea what Lucy’s latest problem would do to her. And Lucy’s birthday. She tried to concentrate, but just then a car door sounded outside.

“Ross, I think Audrey’s here. I’ll call you later so we can resolve this, okay?”

“Resolve us or take time to talk?” Sadness emanated from his tone.

“Not us. I mean find time to talk.” She heard the door rattle. “I have to go. She’s here, but I’ll call.” She hung up, dashed to the door and flung it open.

Audrey’s eyes widened. “I thought you weren’t home.”

“I was on the phone. Sorry.” Kelsey pushed the door open. “Where’s Jeff?”

“At his meetings. I’ll pick him up before the party.” Audrey stepped inside pulling a carry-on bag. “I’ve been upset since we last spoke. I’m so sorry about Lucy.” She drew Kelsey into an embrace. “How’s she taking it?”

“Better than I am, I think.” She motioned for Audrey to come inside. “Lucy focuses on the positive side of things. She’s upset, but she bounces back fast.”

Audrey looked around. “She’s not here?”

“No. School won’t be out for another hour and a half.”

“Good. That gives us time to talk about her birthday.” Audrey grabbed her bag, rolled it into the great room and paused by the stairs. “Which bedroom?”

“Take the biggest one at the top of the stairs.”

She gave her an okay sign and headed toward the guest room. Kelsey drew in a breath and continued to the kitchen. She turned on water for tea—her sister’s favorite—then leaned her back against the cabinet. She ached inside since talking to Ross. She’d hurt him, and it was wrong. Being unkind had never been her way, but she’d done exactly that. Her tone of voice had taken her words to another level. She’d known it the moment they flew from her mouth. Sarcasm had taken over, and her usual peacemaker’s approach had vanished.

How could she have done that to someone who meant so much to her? She realized it now, facing what she’d done. She’d missed him the past few days. They’d always talked nearly every day, even when they didn’t have time to see each other. She laughed at how many times the phone rang in the middle of her workday. But she loved the interruption.

Now she had to put him off again with Audrey’s arrival. Such rotten timing.

Kelsey pulled herself back from the counter edge and lifted out two mugs and dessert plates. She dropped two tea
bags in the cups and opened up the plastic container filled with home-baked peanut butter cookies with a chocolate kiss pressed into the center. Also her sister’s favorite. As she turned, Audrey stepped into the kitchen. “Did you find everything? I set out fresh towels for you.”

“Everything’s fine.” She stepped closer. “What’s on the plate?” She eyed the cookies and grinned. “You remembered.”

“How could I forget? Let’s sit over there.” She motioned to the breakfast table and waited for Audrey to go ahead. She set down the cookies and returned to the kitchen counter to prepare the tea. “So what do you have in mind for Lucy’s birthday?”