her eyes. “We’ll fight this. Together.” He didn’t blink, didn’t look away. “I’ll be with you every day.” Panic darkened his face, but he didn’t waver. He shivered a bit. “God isn’t done with you, Annalee. He… isn’t done with us.”
She leaned her forehead against his. “I don’t want tomorrow to come.”
He put his arms around her and held her again, his cheek alongside hers. After a minute or so he looked at her once more. “Tomorrow has to come.” He brushed her hair from her face. “That’s when you’re going to start beating this.”
His words were supposed to encourage her. She knew that. Instead they scared her. “What if… I’m not strong enough, Tommy?” She clung to him again. “I’m so afraid.”
He put his hands on her shoulders. “Annie Oakley… you’re the toughest girl I know.” His teeth were chattering now. “You will beat this!”
Annalee nodded. Annie Oakley. The sun still shone on them, but the air was cooling. She couldn’t sit here another minute, couldn’t stand the sadness. “Walk with me.” She stood and held her hand out to Tommy. “Please.”
He looked like he wanted to cry, but he didn’t. He fought it, the way she had known he would. Since she gave him no choice, Tommy stood and drew her to his side. As they started along the canal Annalee felt the strange feeling again.
It was something she’d noticed lately. The fact that she couldn’t breathe right. When she was lying down or sitting or moving too fast, her lungs didn’t seem able to get a full breath. She had told herself her energy was to blame. Too little sleep or not enough vitamin B. Changing that should help and then she’d feel normal again.
But now Annalee knew better. Every strange thing she’d been feeling was probably related to her cancer. She shuddered. Relax, Annalee. Breathe. A few more steps and she settled down. There. She was breathing better now.
With Tommy’s arm warm around her shoulders.
Another couple was walking toward them. A guy and girl maybe in their mid-twenties. As they came closer Annalee could see their wedding rings. They laughed and talked and before they reached Annalee and Tommy they stopped and kissed.
Nothing too long or inappropriate for being in public. They were in their own world. Too in love to notice anyone else. Living out their very own happily ever after.
As the couple passed, the man smiled at the woman. “I’m ready to go home.”
She smiled. “Me, too.”
Home. Together. Annalee slipped her arm around Tommy’s waist as they kept walking. Would that ever be the two of them? Married and able to go home together? What would that be like? Annalee set her gaze straight ahead. Why did they have to wait till then?
After today she’d be in and out of the hospital. The details her mom had shared were horrible. Her doctor had apparently said Annalee would lose her hair and she’d lose weight. Even her eyelashes and eyebrows would disappear. Chemo and radiation would overtake her and she’d be fortunate if she ever felt normal again.
If she ever felt as good as she did right now. She slowed her pace.
Tommy looked at her. “You want to go back?”
“No.” A grove of trees stood just off the path ahead. She led him there and she leaned against one of the trunks. He faced her, inches away, and Annalee brought her hand to his cheek. “I love you, Tommy. Do I tell you that enough?”
“Yes.” He looked concerned. “You always tell me. I love you, too.” He hesitated. “You’re going to get better, Annalee. You need to believe that.”
“I do.” She didn’t hesitate. But they both knew there were no guarantees. Not with cancer. She studied his handsome face, the line of his jaw. “Hold me. Please.” Her voice fell to a whisper. “Don’t let go.”
“Annalee.” He drew her into his arms and cradled her head to his chest. “I’m here.” This moment was entirely different than the one on Karon Beach last summer. Rather than passion and possibilities, this embrace was wrapped in worry. Desperation. “I’ll help you through it. Every day,” Tommy whispered into her hair. “I won’t ever leave.”
His words meant everything to her. Not only that he wouldn’t leave her here, now. At the starting line of the most terrifying fight of her life. But he wouldn’t leave her. Not ever. She understood that from his tone.
The sun was setting and she had to get back. Tomorrow everything would change. She