Dana looked down at her feet again.  “Will you please tell Alice it’s time to go upstairs?”

“No.”  Dana lifted her head and looked at Josh.  “You go tell her.”  Josh placed Dana’s walker in front of her and helped her stand.  Dana began walking towards Alice and when she was in Alice’s line of vision Alice began slowing down the treadmill.

“Time to go?”  Dana could hear the pain in Alice’s monotone emotionless question.  Dana simply nodded her head, not sure her voice would be steady if she spoke.

_____

Alice intentionally left her headphones on, avoiding the possibility of conversation with Dana as they walked side by side upstairs.  Dana walked into the private room and sat in the bed, leaning back trying to relax.  Alice sat down in the chair beside the bed and dug through Dana’s bag for her ipod and handed it to her.  Dana hated the beginning of the treatments and always tried to listen to her ipod to tune everything out.  Usually Alice would hold her hand, rubbing the backside of it with her thumb to help Dana relax, but not this time.  The initial feeling alone of the nasty cold liquid flowing through her veins was enough to make Dana nauseous.   Dana’s dislike for needles didn’t help either.  The nurse walked in and began preparing Dana’s right elbow for the needle.  Dana shut her eyes, took a few deep breaths and tried to concentrate on the music playing through her headphones.  Normally Dana would look into Alice’s eyes and get lost in the comfort Alice’s eyes brought her, and never feel the needle going in.  She was hoping the needle didn’t hurt too badly this time.  Dana’s entire body tensed when the nurse tied the rubber cord around Dana’s arm just above her elbow.  Dana felt Alice take a hold of her left hand and Dana quickly turned her head toward Alice opening her eyes to look into Alice’s.  Alice gave Dana a small smile and began to rub her cheek with her other hand just as the nurse slid the needle in Dana’s arm.  Dana continued staring into Alice’s eyes.

“All finished!  Just sit back and try to relax.”  The nurse said, gathering the rest of her things.

“Huh?”  Dana reluctantly turned away from Alice and gave the nurse her attention. 

“I’ll be back when the treatment is finished.  If you need anything just push the button.”  The nurse walked out of the room. 

Dana smiled as she turned back toward Alice.  She didn’t know how but Alice always allowed her to completely forget about the needle and never feel it being inserted or removed.  Alice’s smile faced as she sat back down in the chair and shut her eyes and becoming lost in thought again.  Dana knew Alice was still upset and it took a lot for Alice to put it behind her long enough to get Dana through the needle. Though she was upset that Alice was still avoiding her, she was happy that Alice continued to hold her hand.