| 7. Stand By Me 11:21 pm On a perfect day, I know that I can count on you. When that's not possible, Tell me can you weather the storm? Cause I need somebody who will stand by me. Through the good times and bad times She will always, Always be right there. Sunny days, Everybody loves them. Tell me, Can you stand the rain? Storms will come, This we know for sure. Can you stand the rain? Storms will come, This we know for sure. Can you stand the rain? Her eyes slowly opened to the deep voice singing above her. "That's our song, baby." She reached her hand out to Chad. He kissed it and sat down on the hospital bed. "I guess you know by now, huh?" "Yeah. How do you feel?" She sighed, "Well, physically, I'm tired, spaced out on drugs...and I think my brain is numb." She smiled. "I'm not scared. This is nothing. What scares me is being without you for the rest of the tour because of ...cramps." "Don't talk like that. You'll make it, Meg. I know you." "Yeah," she smiled. "Maybe I am a little scared. I don't know." Chad swallowed. "You know I'm still going to be there for you, no matter what happens, right?" "You'll be playing for the rest of the girls, I'm sure. You've got a career. I don't expect you to give it all up just cause I'm a little sick." "I would." "Please don't. I want you to be happy and doing your job makes you happy." "But..." "No buts about it, Chad. I wouldn't want you to wait on me hand and foot, nor do I expect you to. Besides, I'll be out of here within a week, I'm sure." "Good." He smiled. "You also know I'm going to be calling you every night, too, right?" She smiled, "Not unless I call you first." She paused. "Don't worry about me. It's gonna be okay. I'll be back on the bus telling Seth he has no rhythm before you know it." He kissed her on the forehead. "I can't wait." 8. Jill Sunday, July 1, 2001 12:19 pm "Miss Whitley?" Meg sat up. "Please call me Meghan." "Okay, Meghan." An older, dark-haired nurse entered her hospital room, saying, "My name is Lily Precourt and I'm going to be taking a little blood today." "Geez, how many times do you people have to poke me with sharp objects?" "Just a precaution. We want to see what we can eliminate." "When will I know?" "I'm not sure." "Hmm. When do you think I�ll be out of here?" "I think Dr. Timmons is going to run a few more tests and if nothing�s wrong, you'll be out of here in a few days." "What if he finds something?" "You'll be referred to Jack Harless' clinic in Hollywood. He's an excellent doctor for..." she swallowed. "Cancer," Meg finished. "It's not a big deal. I don't think I even have it." Lily smiled meekly. "Probably." Meg leaned back on the pillow as Lily drew more blood from her forearm. The hospital room was stale, with harsh white walls and, in an attempt to decorate, light blue seascape border around the top of the perimeter of the room. The hospital gown she'd been forced to wear was adorned similarly with light blue diamond patterns lined evenly on the thin cloth. "Okay, Meg, all done." Lily stood up and smiled. "Dr. Timmons will be by in about an hour to check on your condition." With that, the room was empty. This was what Meg found ironic about hospitals--how inhospitable they were. I've got to leave this room. Meg hobbled out of her bed and into a wheelchair nearby, finding it hard to walk after being in bed for two days. But soon enough, she was out of the room and down the hallway to the elevator. She knew the nurses would have a fit if they knew she was out of her room. She went up a floor to the pediatric hall, not really caring where she was, just as long as she was away from the bleak confines of her room. Once out of the elevator, she wheeled herself down the hallway, realizing just how depressing hospitals were. She glanced into each room, seeing rooms filled with get well cards, flowers, and toys for the sick inhabitants of the rooms. Near the end of the hall, she noticed a woman in her thirties looking at her strangely. I wonder if she recognizes me... "Um, excuse me. This may end up to be a stupid question, but are you Meghan Whitley?" the woman said apprehensively. "Yes, I am." Meg smiled and wheeled herself to the woman, grateful to be talking to someone other than a hospital employee. She extended her hand, "And you are?" "My name is Dionna Burns. My daughter is a huge fan of yours." She smiled. "Well, then I'm a huge fan of your daughter's," Meg laughed. It was the first time she'd laughed in days. "I'm kind of curious, but...why are you here?" "Oh, I'm having some tests run, that's all. But don't tell anyone," she said sarcastically. "I won't. Um, I don't know how you feel, but I was wondering if you could go visit my daughter. She's been a patient here for several months and she needs a little encouragement." "I would be glad to!" Meg said. "Show me the way!" |