“Yeh but…”

“No buts Al, do what you can do but otherwise let Sharon or me or Bette or any of us help out ok, we’re just a phone call away and we all love you guys so much.”

Alice put her head in the hands

“Al?”

“I’m fine my head just hurts a bit, it happens and it’ll pass soon.”

“Ok sit here for a minute, I’ll go and take Dana in a glass of water.”

Shane crept into Dana and Alice’s bedroom and left a big, cold glass of water on Dana’s nightstand, as she was tiptoed out she heard Dana stir.

“Sorry Dane didn’t mean to wake you; I just brought you some water.” Shane whispered.

“Oh right thanks, is Al ok?”

“Yeh she’s just having a rest in the kitchen”

“Do you have a minute Shane?”

“For you Dana, I have more than one” Shane smiled and sat down gently next to Dana in bed.

“What can I do for you?”

“Will you look after Al for me if anything happens?”

Shane was taken aback, she wasn’t quite sure what she was expecting to hear but it wasn’t this.

“Of course I would Dana but what has brought this on?”

“I dunno but I’m just so tired all the time. I’m just so scared…. I thought that I just missed Al and I did and having her home is incredible but I just still feel so shit. I’m always tired, my joints hurt, I feel nauseated most of the time and my appetite is non existent I feel like bit by bit I’m fading awake, like as Al gets better and stronger I’m getting worse.” Dana finished her speech with an exhausted sigh.

Shane edged closer and hugged her friend’s frail frame

“It’s ok Dana, it’s just the chemo.  It wears you out and breaks you down to get rid of the cancer; you’ve just got to believe that you’re stronger.  We’re all here for you, pulling for you to get better, none more so than Al.”

“I know I suppose I just want it all to be over.”

“You remember how you felt when we saw Al for the first time that night?”

“Of course I do.”

“And how you just wanted her to wake up and how you couldn’t live without her?”

“Yeh”

“Well Alice feels exactly the same.”

“Something pulled Al back from the brink Dana and that was you, all  you.”

Dana started to tear up again.

“I want to fight Shane I really do and I am and I still will but I’m just terrified that it’ll get too hard.”

“Dana, I don’t have a crystal ball but I do know that if you rest up, stay hydrated and keep your energy and nutrient levels up the best you can then you giving yourself the best chance. I wish I could take all of this on for you but at the end of the day this is your fight and it’s not easy but we all know that you will fight for yourself and for us and especially for Al till you win or if it just gets too much before then, we’ll understand because we all love you and we just want this hell to be over one way or another. I’m not saying it’s ok to give up but I promise you I’ll look after Al but I know she’d rather grow old with you” Shane finished with tears in her own eyes.  She leant over kissed Dana on the forehead and whispered “Now get some rest and don’t worry, we’re all here for you”

TBC?