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“David is still angry,” Elizabeth said, following her daughter inside. “This problem has to be fixed.”
“Agreed.”
“What are we going to do?”
There was no “we.” At least that’s what she wanted to say. Only there was. They were the only ones who saw the potential for disaster and were willing to head it off.
“I’ll talk to Jayne,” Rebecca said. “She’ll understand why she has to break things off with David.”
“And if she doesn’t?”
“Then I’ll get nasty.”
Eighteen
JAYNE SAT IN THE waiting room, her hand tightly holding Lori’s. The eighteen-year-old shook slightly, although she was trying not to show her nervousness.
Three years ago, Lori had been referred to the breast center by her pediatrician after she’d found a lump in her breast. Lori had been one of the very rare cases of teenagers with breast cancer. Surgery, radiation, and a lot of prayer later, she had been pronounced cancer-free. But twice yearly mammograms were required.
Normally Jayne performed the mammograms, then took her break right after so she could keep Lori and her mom company while they waited for the radiologist’s report. Today, she was acting as a friend rather than a nurse. Lori’s mom was away on a last-minute business trip.
“I know it’s fine,” Lori said, speaking quickly. “I’m healthy, I eat right, I rest. I’m playing softball with my sorority.” She smiled. “We’re not really great players, but we look good in the shorts and T-shirts. Last week we were playing Sigma Pi—that’s one of the fraternities—and we were really behind. I hit a high fly ball. Mia was on second base, and when she saw the outfielder was about to catch it, she lifted her T-shirt and flashed her boobs. The guy dropped the ball.”
Jayne laughed. “Whatever it takes to win.”
“I don’t want to be sick,” Lori pleaded.
“I know.”
Katie walked into the waiting room. They both looked at her. In her most professional voice Katie said, “If you’ll come with me, please.” Because all information was given privately, in an exam room. But right before she turned to lead the way, she gave Lori a big thumbs-up.
The teen exhaled sharply. “Did you see that?” she asked in a whisper.
“I did. Good news.”
Better than good. With this “all clear,” Lori could switch to annual mammograms. She would always have to be more careful than most young women her age, but the immediate threat had passed.
Later, when Lori had left and Jayne had said good-bye to her friends, she walked toward her car. Her cell phone rang. She looked at it, already guessing the caller was David. Sure enough, his name and number flashed on the screen.
As much as she wanted to pick up the call, she knew there wasn’t any point. They didn’t have anything to say to each other. Nothing that would change their circumstances. He was a Worden, with a history and a future that involved being rich and selling diamonds. She was a radiology nurse who wanted a level of normal he couldn’t provide. She was leaving town in a few weeks, and his life was here. She pushed the Ignore button and kept walking.
Only to stumble to a stop when she saw Rebecca waiting by her car.
“When you weren’t at home, I thought you might be here,” Rebecca said.
Fierce gladness rushed through her. She’d missed her friend, had missed talking to her and laughing with her. Sure, Rebecca had been a total bitch, but it wasn’t the first time. There was only one reason for her to be here, and that was to make things right. Rebecca wouldn’t apologize—hardly her style. But she would get her point across.
Jayne knew that for the friendship to continue, she was going to have to have a serious talk with her. Put up some boundaries, that sort of thing. But later. Right now she just wanted to be happy to see her friend.
“I had to meet with a patient,” Jayne said.
“You’re working?”
“Part time.”
Rebecca leaned against Jayne’s Jetta. “I want to talk to you about what happened before.”
“All right.”
