A Rose for Melinda (21 page)

TO:
Ballerina Girl
Subject:
I'm coming!

June 13

Mom and I are coming to Atlanta BEFORE you begin the BMT process. When I came home from work last night, she gave me your dad's e-mail message and said she has a little money saved up and that she's going to spend it on the trip. She's reserved a room for us at a residence-type hotel that's near the hospital.

I hugged her big-time. I called my dad and told him I won't be coming this summer. When I explained about you, he offered to send us some money to go toward the trip. I was shocked. My parents haven't said two words to each other since the divorce, but now they're banding together to give me something I want more than anything else—a chance to see you up close and personal. One miracle down (my parents) and one to go (you getting well).

Jesse

TO:
Jesse
Subject:
Trip

Come as soon as you can! There's no time to spare.

MELINDA'S DIARY

June 13

Dr. Neely's not happy, because I want to wait a couple of days before he begins “killing” me—all right, maybe that's an overstatement. But I can't go into isolation until Jesse's here. Dad got Jesse's and his mother's fares comped by the airline, and they'll be here tomorrow afternoon.

Mom and Dad are throwing me a party here on the pedi-floor on Saturday. Besides Jesse and his mom, I've invited Bailey, Mrs. Houston, four girls from my dance class and three friends from school. Dad will videotape it and we'll have pizza, Cokes, ice cream and cake. I asked if I could have a pony brought up (ha-ha).

I'd love to spend some time alone with Jesse, but I can't figure out how or when. I'll think of something, because I WILL NOT go into isolation until the two of us can be together away from parents and nurses.

Dr. Neely showed me my “new” room. You get to it through an air lock, and anyone who's allowed to come in must wear a sterile gown, a hair covering and a mask. It's a bedroom with no decoration, but at least there's an intercom and a large window that
looks out onto the hall, where people can stand, look in and talk to me. I can pull a curtain for pri
vacy. It's kind of creepy knowing I have to stay inside the room while my immune system's down. I hope I don't go postal.

I'll have a TV to watch, but anything that comes in from the outside must be decontaminated. I'll be able to keep books and, of course, my diary, once all are “cleansed.” I'm not looking forward to this one bit.

Elana's Journal

June 14

I can't believe the way Melinda looked when Jesse walked into her room. She fairly glowed! Ann looks wonderful too. She and I went down to the cafeteria to talk, but mostly to let the kids be alone together. Over coffee, Ann said, “They're in love, you know.”

I said, “Yes, I know. Who'd have thought it would last so long. Ever since first grade!”

“He's never cared for another girl,” Ann told me.
“I urged him to date others, but he wouldn't. He told me that Melinda was the only one for him and that someday they would be together.”

I said, “I used to think that nothing would ever stand in the way of her dancing, but I forgot about love.”

Ann said, “I've warned him about affecting her life plans for professional dancing. He said he'd stand beside her all the way.”

“Cancer's in her way right now,” I told Ann.

Ann reached over and patted my hand. “The transplant will change that,” she said. “You'll have given your daughter life twice. Not many parents get that honor.”

I'd never thought of it that way before, but it comforted me.

“I've missed you, Jesse.”

“Same here. Can I hug you?”

“I'm not in isolation yet … hold me. Oh, Jesse, I'm scared.”

“Me too. But I've read up on BMTs and there are plenty of success stories. Yours will be one too. When do you start?”

“I go into the Chamber, as I call it, on Sunday. Radiation starts Monday.”

“Then we only have the rest of today and tomorrow to be together.”

“That's right.”

“We'll stay up all night. Can you do that?”

“Sure. The doctors and nurses are pretty understanding of my situation. Of course, they'll pop in to check on me occasionally, so we have to be on guard.”

“How about your parents?”

“They know how hard this is going to be, so they won't hang around. Besides, I'll have plenty of time to sleep once I go into the Chamber. And Mom gave up her habit of sleeping here every night. But she gets here pretty early every morning.”

“I just want to spend every minute I can with you.”

“Me too.”

“The party's a good idea. But is there any place we can go to be by ourselves?”

“I think so. I'll let Bailey help me work it out. She's clever and devious.”

“I'll just bet. Know what I think?”

“I think you should kiss me before our mothers come back.”

“You mean like this?”

's Diary

June 15

I know there are more blank pages in this book than there should be, but I forget about writing in it most nights. But not tonight. I need to “talk” to someone/ something. Seeing Jesse again and remembering the way I once felt about him was odd. Actually, I thought stirring up the old feelings would hurt more than it did. I never want Melinda to know how I've felt about Jesse. She's still the best friend I've ever had and I wouldn't hurt her for anything. The way I've felt about Jesse is my secret and I'll take it to my grave.

That said, I redeemed myself (in my own eyes) when I helped Melinda and Jesse be totally alone after the party.

I arrived in the afternoon, just before five, and the hospital offices were closing. I snooped the upper floors and found a lounge area with a couple of chairs and a sofa where I guess staff can relax. While staff people were leaving for the day and not paying attention to me, I pretended I belonged up there and unlocked the lounge door from the inside.

I showed up at the party (a good one too). Just a few people came. Melinda's dad showed a couple of videos: one of their European vacation (boring) and one of Melinda's dance career (much better). The clip of her and Jesse from the first grade really got to me. They were both so small and adorable. Even then, Jesse had the bluest, prettiest eyes. And Melinda was precious. I know more than ever that Jesse and I never could have worked out. He and Melinda belong together.

After the party, when everyone had gone home, Jesse and I helped Melinda sneak up the stairwell. She was wearing jeans, so she didn't look like an escapee, and we were lucky not to run into anybody climbing the stairs. The climb wasn't easy for Melinda, but we rested when she needed to, and with Jesse helping her, we got there without a problem. The floor was quiet; no one was around. I took them to the lounge. At the door, Melinda hugged me and said, “Thank you.”

“How long have you got before you're missed?” I asked.

“An hour or so,” she said. “I told a nurse on the floor that Jesse and I wanted to be alone for a little while and she said she'd save my room for last on eleven o'clock rounds.”

“Thanks for helping,” Jesse said.

My heart felt really tight in my chest, but I shoved the two of them inside, shut the door and dashed to the elevator. In the lobby, I met up with Patti, one of the girls from school who'd come to the party and who was driving me home.

She was miffed because I was so late. “Where've you been? You said you were just going to say goodbye and come right down.”

I got teary-eyed. “Give me a break. It's not easy saying goodbye to your best friend. She's going to be locked up for weeks and weeks with the transplant and all. Maybe months.”

Patti backed off.

Here I am alone in my room and all I can think of is Jesse and Melinda and how lucky they are to have each other. I have to stop writing now. I'm crying and the page is so blurry, I can hardly see it.