My Brother's Best Friend

Chapter 9

Drew

Samantha's eyes were hardly opened but I managed to see her deep blue eyes.

"Hey," I said smiling at her.

"Hey," she replied weakly.

Mom looked up from her magazine and watched Samantha in concern,"How are you feeling?"

She struggled to answer but then said, "Tired."

"It's gonna be over soon, baby," Dad said from behind mom.

"Soon?" she said.

Mom nodded,"If this surgery works out--"

"When it works out," I corrected.

"Then it'll be a huge leap," mom said.

Samantha just smiled.

The door opened and Dr. Fournier entered.

My parents looked up ready to hear whatever he had to say.

"Your daughter has made good progress," he said. "We want to schedule the surgery for Tuesday morning."

"That's fine," mom said.

The doctor gave a subtle smile and said,"The nurses will be here to check on her later."

"Ok," mom said.  "Thank you."

He nodded and left the room.

"Drew," I heard Samantha say.

"Yes."

"What if I..." she trailed "die?"

I was startled by her question.

"You won't," I said.

"But what if I do?" she asked.

I furrowed my eyebrows in confusion,"You shouldn't be thinking like that."

She sighed and held my hand. I kissed her on the forehead.

"You won't die," I reassured her.  "Everything will be okay."

Lauren

I parked the car and got out. I had only been to this house once three years ago.

I walked precariously on the chipped sidewalk and when I got up to the door my fist hovered over it.

My mind raced and a million thoughts kept me wondering.

I sighed as I slowly rapped on the door three times.

After first no one came. Then, I heard muffled footsteps and the door opened.

A young girl who had short ginger hair and wide, blue eyes stood in front of me with an eyebrow raised.

"Do I know you?" she asked impatient.

"Um, I'm here for Cat," I said.

Her face softened as soon as I mentioned my sister's name.

"Cat?" she asked.

I nodded.

"Follow me," she said.

I obeyed and she led me through a dark corridor and into a small room.

There were three people sitting on the floor.  Two were smoking.

The harsh smell wafted through the air and I struggled to get a decent breath in.

The boy who wasn't smoking turned to look at me then his eyes lit up,"Lauren."