Page 13 of Daigo

"Nothing to tell. Same old, same old. People hurting people in unimaginable ways, stupid wars over inconsequential things." She shrugged slender shoulders and passed her eyes over the lunch crowd. She had chosen the restaurant for its obscurity and discreet service. They were both highly visible people, and the paparazzi were always looking for a scoop.

"Honey, talk to me."

Turning her head, Tammy met her friend's gaze and smiled slightly. "We had some great times, didn't we? Even in those crappy group homes, we had each other. And we made something of ourselves. We were always there for each other. I was worried for a minute when you told me about Daigo. But it's working out, isn't it?"

Shelby nodded, her eyes shadowed. She knew her friend very well. Tammy was more than just a friend; she was a sister. And they had always been there for each other.

"What is it?"

Lifting her hand, Tammy had the waiter hurrying over and ordered beef bourguignon.

"I'm sick," she said baldly as soon as the waiter had left. "Cervical cancer. It's treatable, but it means I'm going to have to do a hysterectomy. They're going to remove my reproductive organs." Tears blurred her eyes and had her blinking.

Putting down her drink, Shelby stared at her friend in dazed shock. "When did you find out?"

"A week before I left."

"A week?" Anger surpassed the fear. "You've known for almost five weeks and never said anything? What happened to telling each other everything?"

"I couldn't." Tammy took a gulp of her drink and accepted the fact that her friend was hurt. "I wanted the time and space to process. That's one of the main reasons I took the assignment. Mark was the only one I told, and he pretended he was on board, that he would be there for me, but he came back a few days later and started an argument, telling me that he was tired of my constant traveling." She discovered she was still aching after all.

"You were dealing with all of that, and you never said a word." Shelby felt the fury forming a ball inside her. "We're supposed to be able to tell each other anything."

"Yes." Reaching over, Tammy tried taking her hand, sitting back when her gesture was rejected. "Look, I know you're upset-"

"That's an inadequate word. Tammy, you're my sister." She was trying her best to control her anger and knew that she was using it to cover the fear. "I heard it in your voice and asked you what was wrong. You made me believe that it was the breakup that had you spinning."

"It was." Tammy closed her eyes briefly. "You have no idea what it's like to get that sort of news. I'm twenty fricking eight years old. I had it all planned. My career first and then a family." She waved a hand.

"You know how it is with us. We never had a family, so we crave one. You understand more than anyone else how much we want that stability. I thought I had it with Mark, and then I received the news. It devastated me, Shel, and I'm sorry I pissed you off by not sharing, but I had to take the time to process. I know you're hurting, but I'm distraught and trying to cope. Please understand."

Shelby felt the anger dissolving, leaving only the awful fear and helplessness. "You're right," she conceded quietly. "I'm making this about me when it's not." She took the slender hand lying on the table. "When do you go in for surgery?"

"In three weeks' time." Tammy shrugged and squeezed her friend's hand. "I would like you to accompany me for the checkup."

"Whatever you need. Oh, Tammy! I'm so sorry."

"So am I." She paused as their meals were served. "The good news is they caught it early, and I'm not dying."

"That's something at least. Mark is a bastard."

Tammy laughed softly. "My sentiments exactly. I guess you cannot blame him."

"I can. I wish I'd known this before. He came into the shop looking for some sort of sympathy. I told him to go to hell. If I'd known about this before, I would have kicked him out."

Tammy grinned at her, her despair lifting. "And you would too." Dipping her spoon into the rich stew, she lifted a brow. "Tell me something wonderful. I want a happy place I can go to."

Shelby hesitated and wondered if this was the time to relate her good news or what she was doing.

"Honey, spill."

"I'm going through IVF." She just blurted it out and watched her friend's eyes widen. "I know it's not... considering what you're going through-"

"Stop that at once," Tammy ordered. "I'm happy for you. Oh, my goodness! You're really going for it. I know we discussed it at length, but you said Daigo wasn't on board and his bitch of a mother was against it. What changed?"

Shelby explained what had been happening over the last couple of weeks and how she had given her husband an ultimatum. She scooped up some stew, took a bite, and chewed. "His mother hasn't confronted me yet, and I'm just waiting for when she does. My husband is tentatively all right with it, but he's willing to lend his support."

"And his sperm, of course."