Micah
TODAY’S THE DAY OFBAILEY’S TREATMENT.
When I get to her place, she’s shoving her iPad into her bag.
“You nervous?” she asks me.
Of course I’m nervous. I always get nervous when she has treatment, but I’m just happy she invited me to come with her this time.
“Me? Nah. I’ve got nerves of steel.”
She coughs into her hand. “Liar,” she mumbles between the coughs.
“Wowww, that’s crazy.”
When we get to the hospital, she introduces me to a nurse who will be monitoring her throughout her treatment today. She runs through Bailey’s medical history with her and asks if she has any questions. Usually, Bailey doesn’t have any because she has a later appointment with her MS team of specialists, including her neurologist, but this time she looks to me.
“Go ahead, Chopper. Ask your questions.” She motions for me to start talking.
The nurse stands around waiting patiently for me to ask, but I don’t.
“Actually, I think I’m okay.” I trust Bailey to take the lead on her own care, and if she needs me to help, she knows I’ll always do so.
“I’m very impressed,” Bailey offers.
“I told you I was gonna be better.”
“That you did.”
“I have a lot of help.”
“Oh yeah? Who? Daniiiii?” she sings.
“She’s definitely a big part of it. But, I’m, uh, I’m going to this support group. It’s for people with family members suffering from autoimmune diseases. The people there are really cool.”
Bailey is teary-eyed when I look at her. “You started going to group therapy for me?”
It’s for both of us, really. I want to be better for her. For Dani. For everyone in my life. “Actually, I started going for the cookies, but you were a bonus.”
“Just tell me you love me, you big dumb idiot.”
I smile. “I love you, sis.”
“I love you too. Always.”
Dani texts to check in on us, and that pulls at my heartstrings.
“Okay, now that you can’t go anywhere, lemme see what questions I wanna ask you.”
“You waiting until I’m hooked up to this thing is diabolical.”
I rub my hands together evilly. “Let me see, have you made any decisions about the tour yet?”
“Still not one hundred percent onboard, but I am meeting with all the artists over FaceTime later this week.”
“Well, that’s good.”
“Yeah, Justin said I’d be a quote ‘dumbass bitch’ if I didn’t at least talk to them.”
