The Best Day of My Life

by Lynda Throsby

  “Of course you can, buddy. I’m just going to run upstairs and get some things together. Evelina, baby, don’t have anything to eat or drink because you’re having that magic air to make you sleep. Okay, poppet?”

  “Yes, Daddy. I don’t want anything anyway.” I put her on the stool next to Evander, run up the stairs, grab a backpack and put some nightwear and Stitch in the bag for Evelina.

  At the hospital, we are taken to a private room that will be Evelina’s while she’s here. Dr. Cassidy comes in with another doctor.

  “Good morning, Tourney family, and how are you all today?”

  “Okay, Doctor. Just a little scared, but I’m a big brave girl.” I am so proud of her.

  “You most definitely are brave, Evelina. Did your daddy explain everything that was going to happen today?” She nods yes.

  “Okay, that’s good. Well done, Daddy.” She turns to me and smiles. I smile back.

  “Can you tell me what is going to happen, Evelina?”

  “You are going to put me to sleep with magic air. Then you will cut me. Then the science doctors will do tests on my organ.” She looks over at me, and I mouth ‘kidney’ at her.

  “My kidney. Then tomorrow you will make me sleep again and take out my poorly kidney because its broken and you can’t fix it. Then I will have some medicine that will make me sick for a while, but then it will make me all better again. That’s it.” She shrugs. Doctor Cassidy looks at me with awe on her face at the fact that my baby girl has told her exactly what is going to happen, and without any panic or worry at all.

  “Wow, you know everything. Do you have any questions for me? Is there anything you are unsure about or are worried about?”

  “No.” She just shrugs again. I smile at her. They prepare Evelina ready for theatre. I hold her hand the whole way to the doors then I head back to her room to wait. They said it wouldn’t be long before she was back in her room as it is a quick and simple procedure.

  “How are you, buddy?” I ask Evander as I walk back into Evelina’s room. He looks up from his game and shrugs.

  “I’m just worried about her, Dad. I don’t think she really understands what is actually happening. You know what she’s like. I think she thinks everything is a game a lot of the time. Sometimes she makes me mad — when she acts like a baby. You wouldn’t think she was ten or the same age as me. But I love her, Dad, she is my other half, and I would be lost without her. Is she going to be all right? It’s cancer, isn’t it?” Wow, I have never heard him speak like this before or say so much. He is so old-headed for his age, exactly as I was. I didn’t even know he knew what cancer was. Before I can say anything, the door opens and in walks Sonia, puffing and out of breath.

  “Oh no, I wanted to see her before she went into theatre. How was she, sweetie?” she asks me.

  “Very good actually, Sonia. She wasn’t scared, but maybe that’s the good thing about being young and naïve.” I say. She moves to Evander and kisses the top of his head.

  “How are you, my little treasure?”

  “Ok, thank you, Grandma. Where’s Pops?”

  “He’s parking the car. He will be up in a few minutes.” Right on cue, in strolls Arnold. He is semi-retired now, but he still always dresses smartly. I get up and shake his hand. He slaps my back.

  “How are you doing, son? How is Evelina? How are you, Vander?”

  “Okay,” we both say together. We all make small talk, and it’s not long before the doors open, and they wheel Evelina back into the room on her bed. She’s wide-awake. I thought she would be sleepy and groggy from the gas they gave her but apparently not. I give her a kiss on the head, then I let Sonia, Arnold, and Evander make a fuss of her, and I walk out with the doctor.

  “How did it go, Doctor? Did you get what you needed?”

  “Yes, Mr. Tourney. It went really well, and we got a good sample from the kidney. It’s gone straight to the lab, and I expect to have the results very soon. I will text you as soon as I get them. If you could come to my office so we can discuss it in there rather than in front of the children. Is that okay with you?”

  “Yes, of course, and I agree better not in front of the kids. I’m just worrying now waiting for the results to see what stage she is. Why is she wide-awake? I was expecting her to be sleepy and groggy?”

  “We only had to sedate her slightly, just enough to make her sleep for fifteen minutes. If we do the surgery tomorrow that will be completely different. She will be out for a good few hours. How are you doing, Mr. Tourney? You look a lot better than you did yesterday. I’m sorry for having to give you that news. It’s not nice for anyone, let alone a parent of a young child.” I run my hand over my head.

  “Yeah, it was a shock, Doctor. I pulled myself together for their sake. They’re my life.”

  “You did an excellent job in explaining everything to them. I have to say, you have the most adorable children I have met, and I have met a lot.”

  “Thank you, Doctor, that means a lot to me. It’s hard being mom and dad at times but we manage.”

  She heads back to her office. I need to phone the school and explain everything to them. I head back into Evelina’s room and see they are all laughing, thanks to Arnold’s antics, no doubt. I tell them I’m going to make a couple of calls and will be back very soon. I motion Sonia to come out with me.

  “Dr. Cassidy is going to text me when she has the results from the biopsy. She would rather discuss them in her office. Do you want to come with me?”

  “Yes, I do, Theon. Most definitely.” She gives me a hug. I head off to phone the school and let them know what is happening with Evelina. They are very sympathetic and say not to worry about keeping either of them off but to keep them informed. They are going to e-mail me any homework that needs doing so we can at least keep on top of their schoolwork.

  I phone Aggie next and let her know I won’t be in the rest of the week. I didn’t get a chance to tell her about Evelina yesterday. I just left. I tell her to e-mail me anything that needs my attention but to cancel all my appointments for the next couple of weeks. I then speak to my number two at the office, Patrick. He was the first person Evelyn and I employed, and he runs the place when I’m not around. I trust him.

  I’m outside of the hospital, and I come across a bench with a woman sitting on it, crying. She looks at me but turns away quickly, as though she doesn’t want me to see her crying. I sit down on the bench. I can’t just ignore her.

  “Hello,” I say to her. She lightly turns but doesn’t look at my face — she’s looking at her hands in her lap.

  “Hi,” she says to me but nothing more.

  “Sorry. I don’t want to be nosy or intrude, but are you okay?” She doesn’t say anything for a while, and I see her shoulders shake as she cries.

  “I’m sorry. I’m just having a hard time dealing with things. My daughter is very sick. The doctors have just told me the prognosis. It doesn’t look good for her. I should get back to her. I’m sorry to lay that on you.”

  “Not a problem. Really. I don’t like to see people upset. I know what you’re going through though. My daughter is in there right now. She’s very sick. I’m just waiting on the biopsy results to tell us what the next step is.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. It’s so hard when your children are ill, and you can’t do anything for them. It makes you feel like a failure. We are supposed to protect them. How can we do that against diseases? ”

  “Oh listen to me. I asked you if you were okay then laid my problem on you. I’m sorry. But yes, it’s the hardest thing in the world. She’s only ten, my little whirlwind spitfire, and she’s my life, along with her brother.”

  “Same here. I have three children, two girls, and a boy. It’s my youngest girl Caroline that’s sick. She’s eight. She’s so brave. She puts me to shame. I keep breaking down. How old is your son?”

  “Evander is ten as well. They are twins.”

  “Oh my gosh, how bizarre is that? My other two are eleven
, twins as well. A handful as well, huh?”

  “Actually no, they are the best kids ever. Evander is old beyond his years, very intelligent. He’s a computer genius, takes after his mum and me. Evelina is just a force to be reckoned with and has me wrapped around her little finger. It kills me she is so sick.”

  “My two, Bailee and Bryan, are great kids. It’s Caroline who has me tearing my hair out at times. I wish she was doing that now instead of laying in that bed, almost lifeless.” She hangs her head, and the tears flow again. I don’t know what to do. I can’t comfort her. I don’t know her. I just pat her shoulder. Right then my phone buzzes, and I see the message from Dr. Cassidy.

  ‘The results are back.’

  My heart sinks.

  “I’m sorry. I have to go. The biopsy results are back. I’m Theon, by the way. I hope things turn out well for your daughter. I really am sorry.”

  “Thank you, Theon. I’m Alana. It was nice meeting you and thank you for stopping and checking on me. I hope things turn out well for your daughter as well.”

  I head back into the hospital and text Sonia to meet me at Dr. Cassidy’s office. I practically run there, and we get there at the same time. We knock on the door and wait till she opens it.

  “Come in please, Mr. Tourney, Mrs. Westcott. Please take a seat.” My heart is pounding, not just from the run here, but I’m a little hopeful. She seems a bit brighter, but maybe I’m reading too much into it.

  “Doctor.” I nod sitting down.

  “Right. I’ll get straight to it. It’s good news. It’s stage one.” I cry like a baby. I let out the breath I’ve been holding, and I fucking cry big fat tears, and I don’t care. I lean forward with my elbows on my knees and my head in my hands. It’s the relief.

  “Sorry, I just need a minute,” I manage to say. Sonia is rubbing my back to comfort me.

  I’m struggling to breathe. Dr. Cassidy places some water in front of me and hands me a tissue. I take the tissue and blow my nose.

  “Thanks.”

  “Take your time, Mr. Tourney. I know the relief is overwhelming. Are you okay to listen if I talk?” I nod yes but don’t look up.

  “Ok, well it’s stage one, which is the best possible scenario there is for Evelina. We can go ahead with the surgery tomorrow to remove the kidney. Once she has recovered from surgery, we will start the course of chemo. She should be okay to go home five to seven days after surgery. The chemo will be a six-week course, once a week, here at the hospital. She can go to school on the days she feels up to it. Usually, a round of chemo can knock a patient out for a couple of days so I would suggest we arrange the treatment on a Thursday, that way hopefully she can still attend school Monday through Wednesday.

  Now, there are side effects from chemo. I will run through these with you before she is released from hospital, but just so you know, hair loss, vomiting, fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite are all side effects. Do you have any questions for me? I know it’s a lot to take in?”

  “Can she live with only one kidney?”

  “Yes. Many people live with one kidney. She should be able to lead a healthy normal life, only watching her diet. If she got a problem with her remaining kidney, then that’s where the problems start, but we don’t need to discuss that at this stage. Anything else?”

  “No. Thank you.” We leave the office, and I hug Sonia. We stand there for a while.

  “Come on, let’s get back to our girl. I need a cuddle from my baby.”

  I stay with Evelina for most of the day. Sonia and Arnold leave, but Evander wants to stay with us. He finds us some board games, and we play games all afternoon. The hospital brings food in for us all at dinnertime. I then sit on the bed, with Evelina cuddling into my side and Evander at the side of the bed, resting his head on my legs and read them a few stories. I feel Evelina fall asleep, and I gently moved away trying not to disturb her. She wakes up

  “Don’t leave me, Daddy. I don’t want to be on my own. It scares me.”

  I kiss the top of her head. “I’m not going anywhere, poppet. Daddy will be right here all night.”

  “Vander, will you stay as well? You can share my bed?” He looks at me, and I gave him the slightest nod that he can stay.

  “I wouldn’t be anywhere else, Lina. I will stay with you.”

  The nurses never ask us to leave. They wheel in a cot for me to sleep in. Evander gets into bed with Evelina, and we all sleep there with her. Our family. I say a silent thank you to Evelyn for looking after our little girl.

  16 years earlier

  I CAN’T BELIEVE the day is here. It’s Evelyn’s twenty-first birthday and our wedding day. The day I make her mine for eternity. She wanted to get married on her birthday, exactly a year after I proposed.

  We don’t want anything big, so it’s just Sonia, Arnold, Grandma, Maggie and then a couple of Evelyn’s side of the family. We’re having the ceremony on a private beach at Sonia and Arnold’s house in Huntington Beach. We will then go for a meal at an exclusive restaurant. We’ve decided to go on a long honeymoon visiting Hong Kong, China, and Singapore. Then we will have a week relaxing in the Maldives. We haven’t decided if we want to go to Europe yet. Why not see the world while we can?

  Patrick, our first employee, will be holding down the fort while we are away. We have three other members of staff who are all working on different projects and can be trusted under Patrick’s eye.

  I arrive at the house with my grandma. We head straight to the beach to wait for Evelyn. I know we’re a bit early, but I was ready and couldn’t wait. As long as my grandma is with me, and Evelyn’s parents, I don’t care about anyone else being at our wedding. Just Evelyn, she’s the most important person in my life along with grandma. We sit watching the waves, waiting for Evelyn to arrive.

  “Theon, you make me the proudest person alive. Your success and now, getting married to the girl you worship. Seeing you this happy melts my old heart. I couldn’t have asked for a better grandson. I know it’s been hard not having parents, but I hope you know I love you — like my son, not my grandson. You have done me so proud after I failed your mother. I hope you forgive me for that.”

  “There is nothing to forgive you for, Grandma. What mom did was her choice, no one else’s. She got herself into the mess and couldn’t get out of it. I love you like a mom, and you’re the most important person in my life, well, along with my soon-to-be-wife, that is. I love you, Grandma.” I lean down to kiss her on the cheek.

  Sonia suddenly appears in a bit of a flap. “She’s here, Theon. You need to stand up there with the minister, sweetie.” I have butterflies in my tummy, and my heart is racing. I’m starting to sweat, I can feel it under my collar, and it’s not to do with the heat. This is it. I’m marrying Evelyn — the girl of my dreams. I’m excited, nervous, anxious, and impatient — so many emotions. I stand at the front with the minister with my back to where Evelyn will appear. I’m scared to look. I don’t know if I will break down at the sight of her, but I have to watch, my life walking towards me. The music starts. She’s here. I can feel her presence. I turn slowly. She’s walking towards me, linking Arnold. Her head is held high as she looks straight into my eyes, and she has the biggest smile on her face that makes her eyes sparkle. The tears fall down my cheeks. She’s stunning. This, right here, walking toward me, is perfection. The most beautiful woman I know, and she’s on her way to be mine for the rest of our lives — to declare her love for me. I can’t take my eyes off hers. Her dress is simple, white silk, no veil. I didn’t want her hiding her face. She has a crown of white daisies around her head and weaved into her hair that’s tied up at the sides but long at the back. Her dress is straight and flares out behind her. It just flows. She looks like she’s floating towards me. As she gets in front of me, Arnold places her hand into mine and my tears flow.

  “Hi,” I whisper and lean in to kiss her cheek still holding her hand. “You take my breath away. Happy Birthday, baby.”

  “Hi, yourself, ha
ndsome,” she says and wipes the tears from my cheeks.

  We turn to the minister who proceeds with the ceremony. Before we exchange the rings, we both have something to say. I go first. I face her and take both her hands in mine.

  “Evelyn, my beautiful girl. You take my breath away. You will never know how happy I truly am because there are no words. I still pinch myself to see if all this is real — to see if you are real. You are my life. I will cherish you for the rest of our lives. My only aim in life is to make you happy. To love you with all my heart and to always be there for you, no matter what. Baby, eternity is not enough time to love and be with you. I want infinity and beyond for that. You’re my first and last forever. Now, this is the best day of my life.”

  She has tears rolling down her cheeks. I reach up and use my thumbs on both cheeks to wipe them away. She grabs my hands and kisses both my palms.

  “Theon, my beautiful boy. You make me deliriously happy. You take my breath away every day with the love you shower me with, and the adoration you have for me. You treat me like I’m glass. Like I’m the most precious thing you have, and I love you with all that I have for it. I agree to infinity — eternity is not enough. Your first and last. Forever, baby.”

  We exchange rings.

  “It is my greatest pleasure to now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride.”

  I do not need telling twice. I take her face in my hands and gently place my lips on hers, then kiss her, showing her all the love I have for her. I pull back, and we both have tears rolling down our cheeks, I rest my forehead on her forehead.

  “Hi, Mrs. Tourney.” She laughs and throws herself into my arms.

  The day is amazing. One I will never forget. All my best days involve Evelyn.

  We fly out on honeymoon and are gone for five weeks in total. We have an amazing time especially in the Maldives where we got to swim with sea turtles, they have become my favorite animal also. We do go to Europe: England, Paris, and Rome. We make love as much as we can. We can’t keep our hands off each other.