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Stacey felt tired still. And it always helped her feel better when she was able to help someone else, so she was throwing herself into work. Alyson walked up to Stacey and struck up a conversation. “I guess Nick has finished with his physical therapy? Isn’t he normally here around this time?”
“Alyson, you know he’s back with Jasmine now right?” Stacey couldn’t believe she still hadn’t given up on carrying her torch for Nick.
“Yeah I know. It’s just that since he’s such a player, I thought I might get another go around. He seemed like he was nicer to me since I was nicer to you.” Alyson had the good grace to blush.
“I appreciate the more positive flow between us. I don’t really have any girlfriends so it’s nice that we’re back on speaking terms. But Alyson, I don’t think Nick’s going to date you anymore. He seems pretty settled in with Jasmine. He loves her.” Stacey tried to say it as gently as she could, but she could see in Alyson’s eyes that it still hurt.
“Yeah, I thought as much. How lame am I for still hoping? All the good men are taken. You just have no idea how hard it is find someone. It’s been a hard year for me.” Alyson lowered her head.
“Well we should go out on a man hunting mission. My church is having a singles social on Friday. You want to go?” Stacey asked hopefully.
Alyson responded, “I don’t want to be a third wheel for you and Stefan.”
Stacey considered telling her that Stefan and she were on an indefinite break, but a big part of why Alyson had thawed towards her was because she saw that Stacey really didn’t have romantic designs on Nick. She might not trust that Stacey wasn’t with Stefan to get to Nick. So she kept silent about it. “I’ll leave Stefan at home. This is a girl’s night out.”
Alyson smiled back at her. “Really? You would do that?”
“Of course.” She smiled at Alyson. She could use a fun night out. This actually would be good.
Alyson and Stacey parted ways and she had a smile on her face when her cell phone rang. It was Dr. Landis’ office. Great. There goes my good mood. “Hello?” She answered.
“Hi Stacey. This is Amanda from Dr. Landis’ office. I was just calling to schedule your chemotherapy session.”
Boy that just took the wind out of her sails. “What date and time is available?” Stacey asked trying not to sound depressed.
“We have an opening on Friday at 4 p.m.” Amanda stated.
Stacey didn’t want to back out on Alyson when they had just made plans, but she wanted to start treatment as soon as possible. And once she did this, there would not be a desire to go out and socialize. She’ll just have to suck it up. It will be good for her to hang out with Alyson. “Let’s go ahead and do the 4 o’clock appointment Amanda.” She was resigned to toughing it out, she couldn’t let Alyson down.
Stacey called Nick to let him know when her appointment was going to take place. A few moments after getting off the phone with Nick, Stefan called.
“Hi Stacey. How are you?” Stefan asked.
Stacey felt like screaming, “How do you think I am? I have leukemia!” The anger at being sick was always just below the surface. But it did her no good to take that anger out on Stefan, so she just answered plainly. “I’m fine Stefan. What can I do for you?”
“I thought we could talk.” Stefan said.
“There’s nothing to talk about Stefan.” Stacey said.
“Stacey, you didn’t think I was going to just let this go. We need to talk about this.” Stefan was trying to reign in his temper.
“What’s the point Stefan? You’re not going to change my mind. Now I have to go, I am at work. Please don’t call again.” Stacey hung up feeling drained.
Why didn’t he understand she was doing this to spare him the pain? No time to wallow in it, a patient was being brought into the ER that needed assistance.
Take Care of Me Page 18