A New Beginning (Second Chance #1) (16 page)

The next morning when Karla went downstairs she heard voices coming from the kitchen. She recognized Leslie’s and Andrew’s immediately, but couldn’t place the other voice. It was a male voice and she knew she’d heard it somewhere, but she didn’t know where.

“I can’t thank you enough for doing this for us Andrew. I know how much Rylee likes staying here and y’all are the first ones I thought of when we got the news yesterday.”

“Hey, what’s going on?” She asked as she entered the kitchen. She immediately recognized Nathan, Rylee’s step-dad, as the mystery voice.

“Karla, you know Mr. Parks, Rylee’s step-dad right?” Leslie asked in a calm voice.

“Yes, I know who he is. What’s going on?” She asked again.

“Well Karla. Last week I took Mrs. Parks to the doctor, she’s been hurting really bad and we wanted to find out what was causing it. They did some x-rays and an MRI to see what they could find. We got the results back yesterday.”

“Okay. Would you please answer my question? What’s going on?”

“Wow, you’re a lot like Rylee. I can’t beat around the bush with you either. The doctor thinks Helen has cervical cancer and she needs to go into the hospital to have it biopsied. I came over to see if Rylee can stay here for a couple of nights while we’re at the hospital.”

“How’s Rylee?” Karla was immediately concerned for her best friend.

“She’s handling it like she does everything. I swear if I didn’t know she was only fourteen I’d swear she was older.”

“What about Harper, Ryan, Jenn and Jess? Where are they going?”

“Jess and Jenn are staying with their friend Monica and Ryan is staying with a friend as well. Harper is the only one I haven’t found a place for yet. She’s two and we really don’t feel comfortable leaving her over night with just anyone.”

“She can stay here.” Leslie spoke up. “I’m home all day so it wouldn’t be a problem.”

“Are you sure? She’s a handful sometimes.”

“Yes I’m sure. I’ll have Rylee and Karla to help at night and probably Conner and Callie too. I promise you that it won’t be a problem.”

“Alright. I’ll get everything set up and we’ll see y’all Sunday night.”

“See you then Nathan. Tell Helen that we’ll be praying for good news.”

“I will and thank y’all.” Mr. Parks said and walked out the door.

Once he was gone Karla looked at Leslie and Andrew. “I’m going to get my phone. I’ll be right back.”

Karla sent Rylee a text before she went back downstairs.
Need to talk? I’m here if you do.

As her feet hit the bottom step her phone signaled Rylee’s reply.
I’m still trying to process everything. Can Leslie pick me up today on the way to the Newberry’s? We’ll talk when we get there. I want to talk to all of you at once.

I’m sure she can. I’m so sorry Rylee. I’ll wait until you’re ready to talk. I love you.

I love you too Karla. Thanks for being here. That means everything to me.

Rylee, you’re my best friend. I’ll always be here, no matter what.

I’ll see you in a couple hours. Nathan just got back and wants to talk to all of us again.

Okay. We’ll pick you up later. Bye

Okay. Bye.

“Leslie, do you mind picking Rylee up when you take me to the Newberry’s later?”

“You know I don’t. Is she okay?”

“She didn’t say much, but I know she’s freaking out on the inside.”

“I bet she is. How are you?” Andrew asked with a worried look on his face.

“I’m okay. Just worried about Rylee. She’d be devastated if something happened to her mom.”

“I know sweetie. We’ll be here for her.” Leslie reassured her.

“Yes we will.” Andrew agreed.

“Thank you both. I love you.” Karla walked over and wrapped her arms around Leslie and motioned for Andrew to join them. When he wrapped his arms around them both she had never felt safer in her life.

A couple hours later Leslie and Karla pulled into the driveway of Rylee’s house. Mrs. Parks walked out with Rylee. “Thank you so much for volunteering to keep Rylee, as well as Harper, for us. I don’t know what’s going to happen over the next few days, but I’m glad to know that I won’t have to worry about my girls as much.”

Leslie got out of the car and shut the door. After the girls climbed into the back she looked at Mrs. Parks. “Helen, we’re happy to help. If the situation were reversed you’d do the same. Rylee is Karla’s best friend and I know Karla will be happy to have her with us for as long as needed.”

“Yes we would. I’d better let y’all go. These girls have a party to get too.” Mrs. Parks looked at Leslie. “Thank you again Leslie. We really do appreciate it. Without you and Andrew, Nathan wouldn’t be able to stay at the hospital with me. I am so scared. I don’t want Rylee, Ryan and Harper left without their mother.”

“I know Helen. Just keep positive thoughts that it isn’t cancer until you know otherwise.”

“Now you sound like Nathan. He’s telling me to stay positive too.”

“That’s all you can do until you know. Anyway, after I drop these two off I’m going to the store to stock up on their favorite snacks. Is there anything special I need to get for Harper?”

“No, we’ll bring everything she needs. Thank you again.”

“I’m happy to help.” Leslie climbed back into the car then and looked at the girls through the rearview mirror. “You two ready to go?”

“Yeah, we’re ready.” Karla answered as Rylee sat there silently.

A few minutes later they were in front of the Newberry’s. It had been a silent ride and Karla was worried about her friend. “Thanks Leslie. I’ll call you when we’re ready to leave.” Karla said quietly as she followed Rylee out of the car. “That may not be very long though.”

“I have my cell so just call when you’re ready. Keep an eye on her. I’m really worried.”

“I definitely will. I’m worried too.”

When they opened the gate Kane and Abel bounded over to them. Rylee patted them each on the head before she continued to the front porch steps. Now Karla was even more worried about her because Rylee loved those two and always played with them.

The front door opened as they climbed the steps and Callie walked out. One look at Rylee turned her happy expression to one of worry. “What’s wrong?”

Karla shook her head. “Rylee will tell you and Conner when we’re inside and upstairs. Can we go to your room? It’ll be more private there.”

“Yeah. Sure. Come on.” Callie led the way to her room. She stopped and knocked on the door beside hers. “Con can you come to my room please? Ry and Karla are here and need to talk to us.”

Conner poked his head out. “Yeah, just let me grab a shirt and I’ll be right there.”

By the time Conner joined them a minute later they were all sitting on Callie’s bed. Rylee was in the middle with Karla on her right and Callie on her left. Conner grabbed the chair from the desk and sat it in front of Rylee. They sat there quietly and waited for Rylee to begin.

“My mom has been having severe cramping and pain in her abdomen and back lately, mostly during that time of the month. It’s been going on for about a year, but she just thought it was from having her tubes tied after she had Harper. The past few months it’s gotten worse and a couple of weeks ago she started hurting all the time. She pretty much hid it from us until Nathan came home from work early and found her in bed curled into a ball crying, my mom doesn’t cry.” She paused and wiped the tears from her cheeks with the back of her hand. “Nathan finally made her go to the doctor. She went last week and they took x-rays and did an MRI, the results came in yesterday. The MRI showed a large mass on her cervix. She has to go into the hospital on Monday to have a biopsy and she’ll have to stay one or two days after.”

Karla scooted closer to Rylee and wrapped her in a comforting hug. “Rylee and Harper are going to be staying at my house for a few days while Mrs. Parks is in the hospital. Mr. Parks wants to be there with her so they’re all going to be temporarily scattered.”

Conner stood up and grabbed a box of tissues off the dresser and handed them to Rylee before he sat back down and took her hand. “We’re here Ry. No matter what you need, we’ll be here.”

Callie leaned closer to Rylee and wrapped her arms around Karla’s. “Con’s right. No matter what you need we’ll be here.”

“I’m so scared. My mom has always been my rock. She’s always been the one that held Ryan and me together. What’s going to happen to us if we lose her?” Tears streaked down her face as sobs shook her body. Callie, Karla and Conner held on to her as she cried.

As the sobs started to become less intense Callie whispered. “Don’t think like that Ry, Keep positive thoughts until we know what’s going on. We’ll all keep thinking positively.”

“Yes we will. She’ll be home Tuesday or Wednesday and they should have the results by early next week. I talked to Andrew and he said that she has one of the best oncologists in Nashville. Andrew’s known him for years.”

“Her doctor is one of the best and not just in Nashville, but in Tennessee. I Googled him this morning after mom and Nathan told us everything. He has fifteen years of experience in oncology and the past ten of those have been focused on Cervical and Ovarian cancer. I guess it’s good that Nathan works at one of the best hospitals in the state and knows where to turn when he needs the best.”

“Yeah really.” Callie began. “Isn’t it ironic that we’re best friends and the adult males in our lives all work together?”

“Yeah it is.” Karla replied, picking up on what Callie was doing. “I’m glad they know each other, it makes life easier for us.”

“Ry?” Conner said tentatively. “Have you talked to Dominic yet? He’s supposed to be here in a few minutes and I can go down and get him if you want. He needs to know about this too.”

“No. I haven’t told him yet. I wanted to tell you three first. I’ll be down in a few minutes though and I’ll talk to him. I just want to wash my face first.”

“Okay. I’ll see you downstairs.” He said before he wrapped her in a hug so tight she thought he was going to crush her. When he released her he walked out of the room to find his dad.

“Want us to wait for you?” Karla asked after Conner had left.

“No. I’ll be okay. I’ll see you downstairs in a few minutes.”

“If you’re sure then we’ll leave you alone, but if you aren’t down in ten minutes Callie and I are coming looking for you. Got it?”

Rylee smiled for the first time that day at the expression on Karla’s face. “Got it. Thanks for being here.”

“Always, Rylee. Always.” Karla said then followed Callie from the room.

Rylee went into the adjoining bathroom and washed her face, applied some mascara and lip gloss, and walked out of the room and downstairs. As long as she had faith and her friends she knew she’d get through this.

            
 
Rylee found Dominic as soon as she made it outside and pulled him into the kitchen. “I need to talk to you about something really important.”

              “Umm.. Ok. What’s going on Rylee?”

              They sat at the table and Rylee told him everything that’s going on with her mom. When she finished talking Dominic stood up and grabbed Rylee’s hand and pulled her to her feet. “I know we just started going out, but I want you to know that I’ll be here to support you through this. I’m so sorry you’re having to go through this.”

              At Dominic’s words Rylee burst into tears and he pulled her into a hug and held her until her tears stopped. “Thank you Dominic. I don’t know what I’d do without the support I’m getting from you and my friends.”

              “I have a confession to make. I have liked you since seventh grade, but was too scared to say anything. I’m so glad you went to the dance with me.”

“I have a confession too. I’ve liked you since seventh grade too.” Rylee gave him a watery smile and laid her head on his chest. “Thank you for being here.”

“I’ve always been here, you just didn’t know it.”

“Rylee, Dominic, are you in here?” Karla poked her head in through the back door.

“Yeah Karla. We’re in here.” Rylee answered.

“Okay. I’ll leave you alone. I was just making sure you were okay.”

“We’ll be out in a minute.”

“Alright. Chase just got here and Callie was wanting us six to sit together.”

“Okay. We’ll be right out.”

Karla didn’t say anything else before they heard the soft click of the door shutting. “We’d better get out there before they send a search party.” Dominic said with a smile. He truly liked Rylee and her friends.

“Ha ha.. You’re funny.” Rylee teased him. “They won’t send a search party, just a big brother figure. I don’t want to worry Dr. and Mrs. Newberry though so we’d better get out there.”

When they walked outside Dominic reached down and took her hand. She smiled at him and walked to the table where her friends sat. “Hey guys. How’s it going?” She said as she looked at her best friends.

“It’s going alright. How are you Ry?” Callie asked.

“I’ve had better days, but I’m going to try to keep positive thoughts and lean on you guys if those positive thoughts falter.”

“We’ll be here. No matter what you need.” Conner told her. “You’re like another little sister to me.”

“Little sister my butt. You’re four and a half minutes older than me.” Callie said with a laugh. “Ry on the other hand is a whole month younger.”

“How do I not know everyone’s birthday?” Karla asked in awe. “I guess it’s never come up in our many conversations.”

“Con and I were born on January 12
th
and Ry was born on Valentine’s Day. What about you Karla?”

“July 14
th
. Dominic, Chase, what about you?”

“Mine’s December 31
st
.” Dominic answered

“And mine’s December 7
th
.” Chase said with a smile. “Guess that makes me the oldest.”

“And I’m the youngest.” Karla said shyly.

The table went quiet then as Rylee looked around at them and knew, without a doubt, that they’d be there with her through this. She could face this as long as she had them beside her.