| Chapter 15 Tara, Brian, Nick, Kevin, and Howie sat in Brian's room waiting for the doctor to come in with Brian's test results. It had been several hours since they had done the test, and everyone was beginning to wonder if something was wrong. Nick had told Brian that Lee finally called, and that she didn't want to come. Brian had just nodded his head, but had been very quiet since. Finally, Kevin saw the doctor coming down the hall. The doctor walked into the room carrying the films from Brian's test. "Brian, I've got your test results. Would you like to talk in private for a moment?" the doctor asked. "No, anything you have to say they can hear it too," Brian answered. The doctor looked at him for a moment, "Alright." He put the films on the wall and turned the light on. "Brian, this is a film of what a normal MRI should look like." He then scooted that film over and put Brian's film next to it. "This is yours," he said. Everyone compared the two, there was an obvious difference between them. "Brian, you have a rather large mass here in the part of your brain that controls your bodies involuntary functions. Meaning your breathing, heart function, etc." the doctor said, "This is what is causing your severe headaches." Everyone was speechless. They all just looked at each other in shock. Finally Brian found his voice, "Is it treatable?" "Brian, it's inoperable, but there are some drugs we can give you to help shrink it, and also help with the headaches," the doctor said. "Is it something he can live with, or is this life threatening?" Kevin asked. The doctor took a deep breath, "This kind of tumor, being where it's located, is life threatening." Tara reached over and grabbed Brian's hand, he squeezed hers for all he was worth. "If I take the medications, how long?" Brian asked. "If you respond well to them, a year maybe," the doctor replied. "What if I don't, or don't take them at all, then how long?" Brian asked. "Three, four months at the most," the doctor answered. Brian looked down, not wanting to make eye contact with anyone. "Doc, can you give us a little while to let this sink in?" Tara asked. "Sure, whenever you're ready have the nurse's page me," he said. The doctor gathered up the films and left the room. Everyone was on the verge of tears. No one knew what to say. Tara could feel Brian's hands trembling. She sat down on the side of the bed and faced Brian where he could see only her, "Bri, what do you want to do?" He looked at her with tears in his eyes, "I don't know, I can't believe this is happening." "Brian, come here," Tara said opening her arms. Brian leaned in and began to cry on her shoulder. Tara looked around to see the rest of the guys crying too. She turned around and let her own tears come, God, not this, not now. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Leighanne was on a break, waiting for them to get the set changed. She sat in her dressing room lost in her thoughts. She was so confused about things. She felt bad for not going to the hospital, but she just couldn't. She was so angry, every time she thought of Brian and Tara she could just throw something. "Anne, you OK?" Gary asked walking in the room and sitting down next to her. "Yeah, I'm just thinking bout things," she said. "Anything I can help with?" Gary asked. Leighanne looked up into his gray eyes. There was something about his eyes, almost like they could see through her, into her soul. "I just don't know what to do. I still care for Brian, but the love I had isn't there anymore. And then I keep finding myself thinking about someone else," she said, not believing she said the last part out loud. "Really, anyone I know?" Gary asked intrigued. Leighanne looked down, "Um, no I don't think so," she said trying to cover her slip. Gary reached over and pulled her face back up to look at him. He brushed Leighanne's hair from her eyes, "I think I do," he said staring deep into her eyes. Damn, those eyes! she thought as she sat there looking at him. "I'm right aren't I?" Gary asked. Leighanne said nothing, but just sat there. Gary smiled at her, then embraced her. "I just want you to know that whatever you decide, I'm here for you," he whispered in her ear. Gary let her go, but Leighanne didn't move. Their faces were almost touching. Leighanne leaned in and they began to kiss. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Everyone had regained their composure, somewhat. They were all sitting around Brian's bed. "Bri, I think you should take the medicine. I mean who knows, in a year there could be some sort of operation you could have, or treatment for it," Kevin said. "Yeah man, as much as you've been through, it'd be silly to stop here. You gotta fight this for all your worth," Nick said. Brian nodded his head and looked down. "OK, tell the doc to fix me up with the meds," Brian said softly. "Alright, I'll go have the nurses page him," Kevin said walking towards the door. Howie got up, "I'll go with ya." As they left the room Nick looked at Brian, "Bri, do you want me to call Lee?" Brian looked up at him, Tara could see the sadness in his eyes. "Yeah, but don't tell her over the phone. I'll tell her, if she comes," Brian said. Nick nodded his head and walked into the hall to call Leighanne. "Brian, if Lee doesn't show up, you're welcome to come and stay with us. You shouldn't be alone right now," Tara said. Brian nodded his head, "Tara, why is this happening? After everything that I've been through in my life, why this?" Tara shook her head, "I don't know. I wish I did." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Leighanne's cell phone ringing brought her out of the kiss. She walked over to the table and picked it up, "Hello." "Lee, it's Nick." "Did you find out anything?" she asked. No answer. "Nick?" "Yeah, Lee you really need to come up here," Nick said. "Nick, I already told you that's not a good idea right now," Leighanne said. "I know what you said, it's just that.........Lee it's serious, and I don't wanna tell you over the phone," Nick said. Leighanne looked over at Gary, he could tell something was wrong. "How serious?" she asked. Nick took a deep breath, "Lee, please just come." "OK, I'll be there as soon as I can," she said. "K, see you soon," Nick said. Leighanne hung up the phone and looked at Gary. "What is it?" he asked. "That was Nick, there's something wrong with Brian, he wants me to go up there," Leighanne answered. "He didn't say what it was?" Gary asked. She shook her head, "No, he just said it was serious and I needed to come." Gary got up and walked to the door, "Come on, I'll drive you." Leighanne grabbed her purse and followed him out the door. Chapter 16 |