"Dana, the type of chemo you’re undergoing is really intense. I sort of figured you weren’t supposed to be going out and doing things like the concert and the ball game and stuff like that, but I figured you know your body best. I didn’t want to say anything, but…sweetie, going out and doing this stuff isn’t helping you. You’re going to make it worse!"

Dana looked away. She’d been hoping that Alice wouldn’t find out…which was really dumb, since Alice was inquisitive by nature and her career choice kind of called for her to be thorough in her research. But at the same time, she was a little angry. She was old enough to make decisions and felt that whatever choices she made should be her own.

Alice saw the glint of anger in Dana’s eyes, but she went on anyway because in all honesty, she was scared to death. "Look, Dane, I’m not saying you need to report every breath you take. But goddammit, you’re supposed to be calling your oncologist about this stuff! Fevers, intense fatigue, any of that shit. And you’re supposed to be getting your white cells monitored, and I know you haven’t left here since Wednesday, so how the fuck could you have?"

"Alice -"

"No! You’re going to fucking listen to me. I promised to take care of you and I’m going to. I’m not leaving, but you have to be smart enough to take care of yourself! You’re not strong enough to be doing any of this shit, Dana. You’re supposed to be fighting this! You promised me you’d fight this. Acting like it doesn’t exist isn’t going to make it go away, don’t you get that? Fuck, Dana. If I’d have known about it, I’d never have let you do any of it! And how the fuck do you think it makes me feel to know that I probably hurt you? There’s no way in hell it’s okay for us to have sex when you’re in this condition, Dana…why the fuck did you initiate it? I never would have, Dane. That’s not why I’m here. Goddammit, why? Why didn’t you tell me? Why didn’t you take care of yourself?" She was crying openly now, and she hated it because if Dana didn’t give a shit, why should she?