I playfully pushed her off me. Emma cackled, then righted herself on the pillows. “So what about you?” I asked. “Do you like Chris?”
“As a friend,” Emma said firmly, and I knew that was true. They were platonically perfect for one another, but there didn’t seem to be any spark of romance. Emma went quiet, then said, “In all seriousness, June, I hope I get what you have one day. It would be nice to know what it feels like.”
“You will,” I said, squeezing her hand. Emma stared out of my window, lost in thought. “Are you nervous about tomorrow?” I asked after a couple of silent minutes.
“Yeah,” she said. “I know Neenee and Dr. Duncan said to try and be positive, but it’s hard to always stay in that space, often detrimental as I just want tofeelwhat I’m going through without the forced optimism. Sometimes, I can’t help but worry the treatment won’t be working. I want to feel the fear, the dread. Let’s be honest, we’ve all been told that before, hence why we’re here. We’re not unused to bad news.”
“I know,” I said, running my thumb over the back of her palm. “But I’m trying my best to only imagine the good things from now on. And that is helping me.Thishas helped me. More than you know.” I smiled at Emma, and she returned it. “And Isee us all in the future, still best friends. You visiting me at UT and telling me you’ve met that boy you hoped for and are madly in love.”
“That sounds nice,” Emma said, and her eyes glazed over a little. “In fact, it sounds perfect.”
CHAPTER 11
June
My heart seemed to rattle in my chest. We were all in therec room like we’d agreed. Our parents were here too. So far, Silas, Toby, and Chris had all been to see Dr. Duncan, and just like I’d written, the treatment was working for them.
It was happening.
What we had all dreamed of washappening… It seemed surreal. My leg bounced as I waited for Emma to come back in. Jesse’s hand was clasped in mine. Neither of us had been in yet, and my stomach was in knots.
My mama and daddy were sitting together close by, and every time one of my friends came in with a smile, I saw my daddy’s back straighten in confidence and excitement begin to glow on my mama’s face.
“June,” Jesse said, and I looked up to see Emma heading our way. Her smile was wide, and she was staring right at me. Her arms came out and I got to my feet. I released Jesse’s hand and Emma crashed into me.
“I’m so happy for you,” I said and felt Emma shake in my arms. The joy I felt for her was like a tidal wave.
“Thank you,” she said and pulled back. “That’s all of us so far.” She was right, and I couldn’t help a fission of excitement wash over me too. We could all have this. We could all be heading for remission.
“Jesse,” Neenee called out. I snapped my head to Jesse, and he met my eyes.
“Here goes nothing,” he said.
I reached up on my tiptoes and kissed him. “Group two for the win,” I said first this time and held out my fist.
Jesse chuckled and met my fist with his own. “Group two for the win.” He followed Neenee to Dr. Duncan’s office, and I couldn’t keep my eyes off the doorway waiting for his return. Just like the chapter I had written for Jesse, everything faded away but for my singular focus on waiting for my boyfriend to return.
Boyfriend—it sounded too reductive for what we were.
“I’m just running to the bathroom,” Chris said, and rushed out the rec room. “I wanna be here when Jesse comes back.”
Minutes and minutes passed. It felt longer than the others had taken, and I began to worry. Or had it not taken as long? I didn’t know if it simply felt like it was longer because this wasJesse.
The sound of footsteps approaching had my heart leaping to my throat. Even my parents got to their feet. Chris came through, a wide smile on his face. My shoulders dropped.What was taking Jesse so long?
“Why are you smiling like that?” Emma asked. Yes, Chris was obviously happy that he had received good news, but he looked ecstatic. I tried to search for any sign for Jesse over Chris’s shoulder, but the hallway was still empty.
“I’ve just seen Jesse,” Chris said, and all my attention fell on Chris. My heart began to thunder in my chest.
“What did he say?” I asked, a nervous tremor to my voice.
“He was on the phone,” he said. “To his mom, I think. But he flashed me a smile and a big thumbs up.”
The relief was instant. “He did?” I said, my voice stronger now. Chris nodded emphatically and Emma threw her arms around my shoulders in celebration. She squeezed me tightly and happiness drifted over me. Jesse…it was working. The treatment was working, and he was going to be okay. I didn’t realize how much I needed to hear that until this moment.
“June?” Neenee said, and I felt my mama’s hand on my back.
“We need to go in now, sweetie,” my mama said. I searched the hallway again for Jesse, wanting to see him before I went in, but he must have still been on the phone to his mama. She would be so happy.Hemust have been so happy.
