Chapter 13 Chapter Eleven

Every step Rachel moves takes painstaking effort.Just walking from room to room in her Florida home was exhausting.She couldn't remember a time when she was so tired.I may have some kind of influenza.Jeff is right.I should see a doctor.Take a hot bath and relax... As Rachel stretched out in the blissful hot water, she moved her hand to her chest and felt a lump. Her first reaction was shock, followed by denial.No big deal, it's not cancer.I don't smoke, I exercise and take care of my body, no one in my family has had cancer, I'm fine.I'll see a doctor, but it's not cancer.

Rachel got out of the tub, dried herself, and made a phone call. "Betty Richman Modeling Agency." "I want to speak to Betty Richman. Please tell her I am Rachel Stevens." Moments later, Betty Richman answered the phone: "Rachel! It's great to hear from you, how are you?" "Of course I'm fine. Why are you asking that!" "Oh, you cut the Rio shooting schedule short, I thought maybe—" Rachel laughed. "No, no. I'm just tired, Betty. I'm anxious to get back to work." "That's great news. Everyone is trying to get you an appointment."

"Oh, I'm ready. What's on the schedule?" "Wait a minute." A minute later, Betty Richman said: "Next shoot is in Aruba. You've got plenty of time starting next week. They've been asking you." "I love Aruba. Book me in." "You've got it. I'm glad you're feeling better." "I feel great." "I'll send you all the details." At two o'clock the next afternoon Rachel had an appointment with Graham Elkin. "Good afternoon, Mr. Elkin." "what can I do for you?" "I have a cyst on my right breast—"

"Oh, have you seen a doctor?" "No, but I know what it is. It's just a little cyst. I know my body. I want you to microsurgery it out" She smiled slightly. "I'm a model. I can't afford it." The price of scars. If it's just a blemish, I can cover it with makeup. I'm leaving for Aruba next week, so can I schedule surgery for tomorrow or the day after?" Dr. Elkin watched her.Considering her current situation, she seemed unnaturally calm. "I'll examine you first, then I have to do a biopsy, of course we can arrange surgery within the week if needed."

Rachel smiled, "That's great." Elgin stood up. "Let's go to another room, shall we? I'll have the nurse bring you a gown." Fifteen minutes later, Dr. Elkin was palpating a lump in Rachel's breast, while a nurse watched. "I told you, doctor, it was just a cyst." "Oh, for confirmation, Miss Stevens, I'd like to have a biopsy. I'll do it right away." Rachel tried not to frown as Dr. Elkin inserted a thin needle into the side of her breast to extract tissue. "It's all over. Not too bad, is it?" "Yes. How soon...?"

"I'm sending it to the lab, and I'll have the preliminary cytology report tomorrow morning." Rachel smiled. "Okay. I'm going home and packing for Aruba." The first thing Rachel did when she got home was unpack two suitcases and spread them on the bed. She went to the closet and started packing the clothes she was taking to Aruba. Janet Rhodes, her cleaning lady, walked into the bedroom. "Miss Stevens, are you going on a business trip again?" "yes." "Where are you going this time?" "To Aruba." "Where is it?"

"It's a beautiful island in the Caribbean, just north of Venezuela. It's a paradise. Great beaches, beautiful hotels, and great food." "Sounds great." "By the way, Janet, I want you to come three times a week while I'm away." "certainly." At nine o'clock the next morning, the phone rang. "Miss Stevens?" "yes." "I'm Elkin." "Hello, doctor. Can you arrange surgery?" "Miss Stevens, I just got my cytology report. I want you to come to the office so we can—" "No. I want to hear it now, doctor."

The other party hesitated for a while: "I don't want to discuss this kind of thing on the phone, but unfortunately, the initial report shows that you do have cancer." Jeff was writing his sports column when the phone rang.He picked up the microphone: "Hello?" "Jeff..." she was crying. "Rachel, is that you? What's the matter? What happened?" "I—I had breast cancer." "Oh my God. How serious?" "I don't know yet. I have to get a mammogram. Jeff, I can't face it alone. I know I'm asking too much, but can you come?"

"Rachel, I—I'm afraid I—" "Just one day. As long as I... know." She started crying again. "Rachel..." He was in a dilemma: "I'll try my best, I'll call you later." She was sobbing that she couldn't speak. Dana came back from her business meeting and said, "Olivia, book me an early flight to Aspen, Colorado. Book me a hotel. Oh, and I'd like to rent a car." "Okay. Mr. Connors is waiting for you in your office." "Thank you." Dana walked into the room.Jeff was standing there looking out the window. "Hi honey."

He turned around. "Hi, Dana." He had a strange look on his face.Dana looked at him worriedly: "How are you?" "It's a double problem," he said heavily, "both good and bad." "Sit down," Dana said.She sat in the chair opposite him: "what happened?" He let out a long breath. "Rachel has breast cancer." She was a little shocked: "I—so sorry. Will she be okay?" "She called in the morning. They were going to tell her how sick she was. She was in a panic. She wanted me to come to Florida and be with her on the news. I wanted to talk to you first."

Dana walked up to Jeff and put her arms around him, "Of course you have to go." Dana remembered the lunch with Rachel and how pleasant she was. "I'll be back in a day or two." Jeff in Matt Baker's office. "I have an urgent matter, Matt. I have to be away for a few days." "Are you all right, Jeff?" "Yes. Rachel's busy." "Your ex-wife." Jeff nodded. "She just found out she has cancer." "I'm so sorry." "Anyway, she needs some moral support. I'm thinking of flying to Florida this afternoon." "You go. I'll fill your vacancy with Maury Fasting. Let me know how it goes." "I will. Thanks, Matt." Jeff was on a plane to Miami two hours later. Dana's top priority is Kenmore.I can't run off to Aspen without someone reliable here to take care of him, Dana thought.But who can clean the house, do the laundry, and take care of the grumpiest little boy in the world? She called Pamela Hudson: "Sorry to bother you, Pamela. But I'm out of town for a while and I need someone to stay with Kenmore. You just happen to know a nice guy with the patience of a saint." Steward?" After a moment of silence. "I happen to know her. Her name is Mary Rovani Daly. She worked for us many years ago. She's a wonderful person. I'll go find her and ask her to call you." "Thank you," Dana said. An hour later, Olivia said. "Dana, there's a man named Mary Daly calling for you." Dana picked up the phone: "Ms. Daly?" "Yes, I am," said the enthusiastic voice with a strong Irish accent: "Mrs. Hudson said that you may just need someone to take care of your son." "Well," Dana said, "I've got to be out of town for a day or two, and I was wondering if you could stop by early tomorrow morning—hey, seven o'clock—so we can talk?" "Of course I can. I just happen to be free right now." Dana gave Mrs. Daly her address. "I'll go, Miss Evans." Mary Daly came punctually at seven o'clock the next morning.She looked to be in her fifties, stocky, cheerful, with a big smile.She shook hands with Dana. "Very nice to meet you, Miss Evans. I always try to watch your shows." "Thank you." "Where's the little boy at home?" Dana yelled, "Kenmore." Kenmore came out of his room a moment later.He stared at Mrs. Daly with a very strange expression on his face. Mrs. Daly smiled. "Kenmore, eh? I've never met anyone named Kenmore before. You look like a little rascal." She walked over to him: "You've got to tell me all the things you like to eat. I'm a great cook. We'll have a good time together, Kenmore." I hope so, Dana thought reverently, "Mrs. Daly, can you stay here with Kenmore while I'm gone?" "Of course, Miss Evans." "That would be great," Dana said gratefully. "I'm afraid there's not that much room in the house. The bedding—" Mrs. Daly smiled. "You don't have to worry. That sofa that spreads out is fine." Dana breathed a sigh of relief. She looked at her watch. "Why don't you take Kenmore to school with me? Then you pick him up at one forty-five." "That's good." Kenmore turned to Dana. "You'll be back, won't you, Dana?" Dana put her arms around him: "Of course I'll come back to you, baby." "when?" "I'll be back in a few days." With some answers. When Dana arrived at the studio, there was a small, beautifully wrapped package on her desk. She looked at it curiously, then opened it.Inside is a beautiful gold pen.The card read: "Dear Dana, have a good trip." Signed by accomplices. So thoughtful.Dana put it in her bag. Dana was boarding the plane when a man in overalls rang the doorbell of the Whartons' old apartment.The door opened, and the new tenant looked at him, nodded, and closed the door.The man walked to Dana's apartment and rang the doorbell. Mrs. Daly opened it: "Oh?" "Miss Evans sent me to fix her television." "Fine. Come in." Mrs. Daly watched as the man walked to the TV and went to work.