The Next Door Boys Read Online Free Page B

do.

four
     
    I saw Jaron pull in after his day of classes, and I ran outside to catch him. I was amazed that we were already in our second month of school.
    “Jaron, can I borrow your car tomorrow?” I asked as he climbed out of his car.
    “And hello to you too.” He chuckled.
    “Hi, Jaron.” I crossed my arms.
    “Where are you headed?” He paused, his pack on his shoulder.
    “Does it matter?”
    “I don't know, maybe.” Was he teasing?
    “Because I have an appointment with my new doctor tomorrow.” I sighed. I didn't want him to know all the little details.
    “Do you want me to come?” His eyebrows pulled together in concern.
    “No. Unless you absolutely won't let your car drive to Salt Lake without you.” I didn't want to be annoyed, but I was, a little. He knew how much I was looking forward to handling things on my own.
    “I'll let my car go to Salt Lake.” He spoke slowly and still looked unsure.
    “Thanks.” I stepped back toward my stairs.
    “Just let me know if you…”
    “I'd really like to go alone, Jaron.” I hoped he'd understand.
    He nodded and started to turn to his place.
    “Thanks.” I didn't realize I was holding my breath until I let it out.
    “You can come by and get the keys tomorrow.” He searched my face for a few more moments.
    “Thanks, Jaron,” I said again.
    “No problem.” I watched him walk down the steps and through his front door. I couldn't believe how much he'd grown up. He'd left for his mission a gangly nineteen-year-old and had come back with so much maturity—maturity of thought, of action, of build. I forgot sometimes how grown up he was. Seeing him fill up the frame of his doorway was a good reminder.

     
    I sat in the waiting room with a lot of old people. That's how it usually was for me. Not always, but most of the time. Kids were taken care of by pediatric specialists; I didn't fall into that category. The air was artificially cool and the atmosphere artificially calm. Doctor's offices were always like that. Calm colors, fake flowers, overpriced artwork.
    My chest felt tight, constricted. I kept forcing myself to relax by drawing in deep breaths. I went to doctors all the time. It was no different, no big deal. A new doctor and probably the same stuff they'd all been telling me since my last treatment. I'd get a list of things to watch for, be careful with the no-sleep dizziness thing, eat well, do light exercise… nothing new.
    “Miss Tressman?” An overly perky young woman looked out from behind the door.” Overly perky people made me surly.
    I stood up and followed her. She weighed me and took my vitals. I did my best to pretend I was somewhere else. It's tricky when you're balancing on a scale. I followed her to the exam room, where I sat and waited again. I had too many memories in rooms like this. I hated the smell. I hated the feel. All of it was attached to the feelings of dread that came with my diagnosis of cancer.
    It was in a room like this that my life changed. I'd expected my doctor to tell me that I'd need to be on birth control or something to control by body's irregularities, and instead she'd come in and told me I had cancer.
    My phone rang, and I jumped. I shuffled through both pockets in my purse before I got my hands on the thing.
    “Hey, Mom,” I answered after checking the ID.
    “How was your appointment, honey?” she asked.
    “Well, I'll tell you when I actually have it.” Was she just sitting in front of a clock? Next time I made an appointment I wasn't going to tell her until it was over.
    “Oh.” I could hear her deflation.
    “I'm waiting right now, Mom. I'll call you when I'm done.”
    I heard a knock at the door.
    “Mom, the doc's here.” I waved at him as he walked in.
    “You could just set the phone down,” she suggested.
    I sighed. “I'll call you when I'm done.”
    “Okay, sweetie.”
    “Miss Tressman?” the doctor didn't look much older than Jaron. He wore a nice pair of slacks and the standard