God, she felt so out of her element.
“We need to take their saddles off, Stella, and brush them.” Misty seemed less distraught now, as she came up beside her. “Let’s do Pickles first, since she carried both of us.”
With Misty’s instructions, Stella somehow managed to do everything they were supposed to do after a ride. She removed saddles, unbuckled straps and managed to put the equipment away while Misty busied herself brushing each horse.
Stella learned that the horses could get water anytime they wanted, but she and Misty would need to feed them later tonight. Misty knew so much.
When they finally returned to the house, Stella found her phone, made sure she had a signal, and put it in her back pocket where she’d be sure to hear it ring.
Since the two of them were covered in dirt and dust and God–knows–what, Stella ran a bath for Misty and changed out of her own clothes. Returning to the bathroom as the tub filled, Stella bit inside her lip. “Do you need help in here? Want me to wash your hair?” Misty, quieter than normal, sat on the edge of the tub still fully dressed. Stella dropped to the floor and began removing the child’s miniature sized cowboy boots.
“I can take baths by myself, but mom helps wash my hair.” Misty looked lethargic though.
“Arms up.” Stella spoke casually and tugged Misty’s t-shirt over her head. Finally, Misty moved into action. With no self-consciousness whatsoever, she then tugged her jeans and panties off and climbed into the water.
“Will the hospital give mom some medicine? So, she doesn’t hurt so much anymore?” A doll with pink hair that had been sitting on the ledge fell into the water. Misty reached for her and began swooshing her around.
Wishing she had some answers, Stella took hold of the soap and lathered Misty’s shoulders and neck. “I think they will. Or they wouldn’t be very good doctors, would they? You want to lay down to get your hair wet?” She didn’t want to lie. She searched her mind for something to say, anything to ease Misty’s worries, but then second guessed herself. What if…?
So instead she asked about the doll. What was her name? Stella lathered Misty’s hair and, as per Misty’s instructions, rinsed the shampoo by using a tall plastic cup.
By the time Stella turned the lever to drain the tub, the entire front of her own shirt was drenched. But Misty had brightened somewhat.
Wearing only a towel, Misty skipped back to her own room. By the time Stella had tidied the bathroom and joined Misty, the little mite was already wearing shorts and a new shirt. No pink ruffles in this room! Although a few dolls sat atop the dresser, most of the décor reflected both Misty and Corinne’s personalities. A long shelf boasted mostly books; children’s books but also a few classics. Tom Sawyer, Anne of Green Gables, and Little House on the Prairie. Likely Corinne read to Misty at night. Stella made a mental note to ask Misty about this later.
Stella swallowed hard when she noticed the detailed quilt on the bed.
A low growl coming from Misty’s tummy reminded Stella that it was dinner time. Although food was the farthest thing from Stella’s mind, it was obvious this little one needed to eat. Try to go on as though everything is normal. Stella asked Misty lots of questions and teased the five-year-old for having to babysit her. Even though they found moments to laugh, every once in a while, Stella caught Misty looking unnaturally worried.
Just as Stella put on some water to make macaroni and cheese, her phone vibrated and buzzed in her pocket.
Corinne’s phone. “Hello?”
“Stella?” Peyton’s voice.
“Is she okay? Where are you?”
“They’ve got her pain under control. We’re in Grand Junction.” Over an hour away.
“But she’s okay?”
Please Peyton, now is not the time for your deliberating delays!
“Her doctor met with me.” It wasn’t good. She heard it in his voice. “He’s going to run some tests, but for now thinks we should put off any treatment.” Strained, his voice sounded like he could barely keep his emotions under control.
“Put it off?” No! No! They needed to kill the cancer! They needed to fight it as soon as possible!
“He said he’d talk with Corinne tomorrow. She’s pretty out of it right now. He wants–” No! No! No! “He wants to consider palliative treatment from here on out.”
Stella covered her mouth with one hand. It was too soon. She just got here. They needed more time.
The line was silent while the significance of his words set in.
“What should I tell Misty?” Misty had disappeared a few minutes ago, up to her room. Stella almost felt like throwing up.
“Tell her… Tell her…”
“Peyton? How about you stay there tonight? I’ll use Corinne’s truck and take Misty to school. When school lets out Misty and I will come to the hospital.”
