Forever Friends Read Online Free Page B

it on her calendar weeks ahead. None of them would consider it. Nothing was going to change.
    In this past year of her life, someone had gone with Margaret to every one of her appointments. It had been a combined effort on the part of her friends. She hadn’t known how it had been put together, who had masterminded the attention, but right before every scheduled visit, somebody showed up at her house, ready to drive her into town. Oncologist, surgeon, physical therapist, her regular physician, even the pharmacist—she had not faced an appointment on her own. And they had made it quite clear that they weren’t about to miss this last one.
    Jessie had changed the date of her departure for Africa, determined that she would not be absent from this event. Even though there was a price adjustment for her airline ticket, she paid the extra money and told James without apology they would be leaving a day later than planned.
    Charlotte had come by the day before and, in tears, canceled going with them only because she had been asked to see someone in jail out of town. The only slot available for a visit had been the same time as Margaret’s appointment. She promised to try to meet them for lunch or at least stop by the house when she returned to town.
    The other women decided that all of them would go with her to see the doctor, promising not to go into the examination room this time but to wait in the reception area. They unanimously agreed that if it was good news they would go out together for lunch. And if it was bad news, well, they’d figure that out when the time came.
    Margaret walked into the waiting room, and the three women leaped to their feet, books and magazines falling to the floor.
    â€œWell?” It was Beatrice who asked.
    Margaret stood quietly for a minute and then declared, “All clear.”
    â€œWell, thank you, Jesus!” Jessie said, throwing her arms up in the air.
    Louise placed both hands across her chest and sighed heavily, and then before she knew what had happened Beatrice pulled her into herself and started to jump.
    Margaret stood back, laughing.
    â€œWould you please get off me?” Louise pushed the other woman away. “I’m not the one who got the good news! Why don’t you jump on her?” She and Jessie stepped away and pointed at Margaret.
    Beatrice turned and started to grab her other friend.
    Margaret quickly moved aside. “That’s all right, Bea,” she replied. “Let’s just celebrate with lunch.” And she hurried toward the door, holding it open for the three women.
    Louise and Jessie gathered their things, followed Margaret, and walked through the door, stopping just as they got outside, but Beatrice would not be turned away. She waited in front of Margaret until her friend acquiesced and held open her arms. Beatrice fell into them and, twirling, lifted her off the floor.
    â€œI am so happy!” she said, the tears flowing down her cheeks.
    â€œYes, Bea, so am I.” Margaret relaxed, and Beatrice finally put her down.
    They remained at the door while Beatrice took out a tissue to wipe her eyes.
    â€œI have been so worried for so long,” she said, blowing her nose. “Lots of people, you know, they find out it’s spread to other places,” she added. “But I never said anything because I knew this was really hard for you.”
    Margaret was surprised. “What do you mean, this was hard for me?”
    Beatrice returned to the chairs, picked up her coat and purse and Margaret’s jacket from the coat tree, put the magazines and books back on the table, and headed out the door. Margaret walked out behind her, taking her jacket and slipping it on.
    â€œOh, really, Margaret, you don’t think anybody boughtthat tough-woman routine, do you?” Beatrice put the wet tissue in her pocket. “We all thought this was taking you under.”
    â€œWait, who all thought that?” The two