The sun is shining, the trees are flaunting their glorious autumn plumage, but Maggie and Krystal walk in the woods oblivious to the beauty all around them.
Maggie asks, “So what did the doctor say, Krys?”
They keep walking, Krystal doesn’t say anything for a bit.
Just thinking, they scuff their way through the fallen leaves. As they approach the bench beside the wooden bridge that spans the creek, Krystal says, “Let’s sit a while, O.K?”
Maggie nods and they sit. Krystal clears her throat, but doesn’t look at Maggie, stares into the creek instead.
“Nothing’s changed. It’s not growing as fast as they thought. But it is growing.”
“Can’t they zap it with radiation or something?” Maggie asks hopefully.
Krystal sighs sadly. “Maybe there will be a breakthrough down the road. But there’s nothing to be done now.”
Maggie doesn’t say anything. She’s not sure what to say. She’s still not sure that she understands.
“Look I’m sorry I told you, Maggie. I didn’t mean to. It just kind of slipped out.”
“What can I do to help, Krystal?”
“Just keep being my friend, Maggie. It’s great to have some support, you know? But there isn’t really anything else anyone can do at this point.”
“Oh god, Krystal, I’m sorry …”
Maggie’s tears are flowing and Krystal reaches over and pulls her into a hug. Patting her awkwardly on the back, Krystal says, “Don’t cry, Maggie. Please don’t cry.”
