Chapter Twenty-Two

WATCHING MY SISTER STEP off the plane offered me a modicum of relief. It was Saturday, the third week in March, and I was thankful that she didn’t look any thinner than the last time I’d seen her. Her smile rivaled the sun. I put my arms around her and sighed deeply. From this point on, I could, and would, protect her.

“It’s good to see you, little sparrow.”

She melted into me. “It’s so good to be here. I’ve missed you.”

Naomi got in on the group hug and pulled my sister to her as well.

“Hey, you. Welcome home. We’ve been looking forward to this all week. How was your trip?”

I waited by the plane’s cargo area for her bags, listening to the two of them talk like girlfriends who hadn’t seen each other in years. I was extremely grateful the two of them got along so well. Even if Ellie wouldn’t open up to me about her health, she could never escape Naomi’s gentle interrogation.

“I’m starved, where are we going for lunch?” Ellie hooked her arm in Naomi’s elbow.

Walking beside them, I made my suggestion. “I think we need some pulled pork nachos, an order of onion rings, and a dozen hot wings. How does that sound?”

“Like I’m not going to be able to fit into any of my performance outfits when it’s time to hit the road again.” Ellie groaned and held her stomach. “Make that two dozen wings and you have a deal.”

If I had my way, she wouldn’t be hitting the road any time soon. I wanted to know exactly what was wrong. If her doctor wanted her to rest, then rest she would get, along with some of Naomi’s home cooking. My plan was for us to spend time together, finalize everything for the wedding, and nurse my sister back to health. She was with us, and that was half the battle.

 

***

 

Ellie rolled her eyes back in her head. “These nachos are to die for.”

A local beer from Big Timber Brewery sat in a frosty glass in front of me. The place boasted a dozen taps from West Virginia breweries. “No arguments from me.”

A tall, dark-haired woman walked up with a menu. “Can I offer you some dessert?” Her Irish brogue grabbed our attention.

Ellie nearly choked on her beer. She took a good look at the woman, while attempting an answer. “What would you suggest?”

“Have ya been here before?” She handed Ellie a small menu. Intricate Celtic knots decorated leather cuffs on her wrists, scuffed and battered from what appeared to be years of wear.

My sister melted in front of me, right into the server’s coal-black eyes and thick accent. This woman had many of the things I knew would push Ellie’s buttons. Toned forearms and sculpted biceps, all topped off with a killer smile. The accent was whipped cream with a cherry on top.

The woman glanced at us and sheepishly dropped her gaze. Ellie quirked a smile that could melt stone. “I haven’t, but these two have.”

“Have ya tried the cinnamon pita chips?”

Naomi’s eyes went wide. “Oh my God, they’re heavenly.”

The black eyes twinkled. “They’re baked right here every day, and I make the creme fraiche by hand.”

Naomi pointed to her. “You make that?”

“I do. I wanted a simple bar fare dessert. The creme fraiche adds a bit of class.”

“I’m Rhebekka, and this is my fiancée Naomi. This beauty”—I pointed—”is my sister Ellie.”

The woman dipped her head in greeting. “It’s a pleasure. Now, can I bring ya a few orders? One won’t be enough, trust me.”

“I think that’s a fabulous idea.” Ellie spoke for all of us. “By the way, you know my name, what’s yours?”

“Siobhan, Siobhan O’Broin.”

Naomi squeezed my knee, catching my eye, and tipped her head in Ellie’s direction. I felt a little tug in my stomach. My sister’s eyes were locked on the dark onyx of Siobhan’s. She was positively glowing. What I was witnessing was worth every calorie I was about to consume. My head told me Tank would soon witness the reality of Ellie’s rejection play out right in front of her. I could hear her heart shattering an entire county away.

 

***

 

We left Beanders completely stuffed, with a sugar rush from our dessert. Ellie was buzzing with something else. The small business card in her hand provided Siobhan’s phone number.

Naomi wrapped her hand under my arm and around my elbow. My free arm slid around Ellie’s shoulder. “So, are you going to call her?”

Ellie looked at me like I’d lost my mind. “Well, duh.” She pointed back to Beanders. “Siobhan ticked off every box I have in a fantasy woman.”

I couldn’t help but laugh. “She did seem to have all the things I consider your kryptonite.”

“And she plays the fucking bagpipes.”

“You’re shitting me?”

Ellie held up her hand in oath position. “According to this card, she’s in a bonified Irish trad.”

“Wow, I don’t get over here to the Celtic music scene much. We’ll have to check that out.”

“Oh, I plan to check her out from head to toe, if I get my way.” Ellie nearly snorted her laugh.

Naomi chuckled so hard, she nearly lost her balance and pulled harder on my arm to steady herself. “Oh, honey, I’m pretty sure from the looks she was giving you, she has plans of her own.”

We made our way back to Thomas and got Ellie settled in. We spent the rest of the evening vegging out on the couch, watching the original Jesus Christ Superstar. When it ended, I sat up and moved close to Ellie. “Okay, sparrow, it’s time to sing. I want you to tell me exactly what the doctor said. I’ve been very patient. It’s time to tell me what’s wrong.”

Ellie’s eyes welled up. Now I was scared.

Naomi got up and settled on the other side of Ellie.

“I have Papillary Thyroid Cancer. It’s a small tumor that we’ve caught very early.” Ellie took the tissue Naomi handed her and wiped at her eyes. “It’s also why my voice has been a bit rougher.”

Alarm bells went off in my head, sending my heart into a terrifyingly quick rhythm. If Ellie said anything else after the word cancer, I didn’t hear it. The vibration in my ears reminded me of standing too close to a concert speaker as blood rushed through my ears. The room was starting to spin.

“Rhebekka, breathe.” Naomi’s cool hands held my face.

The pale blue eyes in front of me weren’t quite enough to focus my mind. Panic welled and sent bile into my mouth. I jumped up and stumbled to the bathroom, where I lost what was left of my lunch. I heard water running, then felt a cool cloth on my forehead. Naomi’s sharp whisper clipped my ear.

“Rhebekka, pull yourself together. This is important. We need to hear the rest of this before we drop into an abyss that we may not need to. Come on, stand up and wash your mouth out.” Naomi pulled me up and wiped my face with the cloth again.

My sister has cancer. Ellie needs her big sister. I grabbed onto that anchor to stop the room from spinning. It was time for me to get my shit together. My own fears needed to be relegated to the back burner. I nodded and rinsed my mouth with water from the tap. Naomi handed me some mouthwash, and I gratefully replaced the taste of bile with the mint. I splashed my face with water, dried off, and made my way back.

Ellie sat in the living room, chewing on her fingernails. I cupped her cheek. “I’m sorry, Ellie. I lost it there for a moment. Forgive me. This isn’t about me, it’s about you. Tell me everything and what the plan is.”

“I need surgery. To give me the most favorable outcomes and best remission chances, that thing has got to come out. It’ll mean lifetime thyroid replacement therapy, along with blood tests to monitor my levels and adjust as needed. There may also be complications.”

I furrowed my brows. “Such as?”

“Long term vocal changes. Small chance, but given my profession, bigger than I’d like. With the anniversary concert coming, this was the worst time to find this.” Ellie wiped tears away.

Naomi settled on her other side again. “No, it’s not. Finding it now means we can get it taken care of before it spreads, honey. You found this early. If you’d waited, the tumor might have grown larger. Will it require chemotherapy or radiation?”

“They really won’t know until they get in there and take it out. It’s possible. The doctors will schedule a full pathology work up.”

I pulled my fragile sister into my arms. “Whatever it takes, I’ll be right beside you. No matter what, we’ll get through this as a family. You’ll have the surgery as soon as possible and be on the road to recovery. Is it scheduled yet?”

Ellie nodded. “Friday at Sloan Kettering.”

“Okay, then we make plans. Until we get on that plane, we enjoy this time. When we get back, we have this wedding and start living the life we’re all meant to as a family.” I stuck my right hand out, palm down. “Deal?” I waited, as Naomi put her hand on top of mine.

“Deal!”

I looked at Ellie and used my faith to channel all the strength and determination I could. Her eyes glinted with the tears perched on her lashes. I knew my sister was terrified behind the mask she bravely wore for me. Gently, she put her hand on top of the pile.

“Deal.”

Naomi moved nearer, and I held the two most important people in my life close as I closed my eyes. “Heavenly Father…”