"Where's Ellen?" Denise demanded as she pushed past Jody.

"Come on in," Jody motioned to the young woman. "I'm Jody."

"Beth Wilson." The woman extended her hand.

"Where's Ellen? What's happened to her? Has she been hurt?" Denise asked again.

"She's not here yet." It was obvious that Denise knew something was wrong with Ellen, but she seemed confused. "Why are you here?"

"I ran into Myra Bloomberg at lunch and she asked me if I'd talked to Ellen. I could tell something was wrong. She wouldn't tell me anything, but she kept suggesting I might want to call my daughter as soon as possible. I called her office and she wasn't there." Denise began to cry and Beth ran to her.

It took Jody a moment to remember that Myra was a nurse in Dr. Chavez's office. Jody sighed. She didn't want to have this conversation, but there was no choice. "Ellen has an appointment to talk to a surgeon today."

"A surgeon? Why does she need a surgeon?"

Jody took a deep breath. "She's having a lumpectomy. Her mammogram showed a small lump. She had a biopsy. The lump is malignant."

Denise seemed to shrink before Jody. For a moment, she was afraid Denise would fall. She reached for her, but Denise stepped away. "She was going to call you after the appointment today," Jody said.

"I can't believe you didn't call me the minute you found out," Denise cried. "She's my daughter. You're my best friend. How could you keep this from me? What's gotten into you lately?"

Jody started to speak, but was interrupted.

"I asked her not to say anything until I found out more."

They turned to find Ellen standing in the doorway.

"I heard you shouting all the way to the sidewalk, so I let myself in," Ellen said as Denise launched herself across the room and threw her arms around Ellen. Beth was close on Denise's heels.

"My baby, my baby," Denise cried.

"Mom, please," Ellen begged. "Don't fall apart on me. This is exactly the reason why I didn't call you."

Beth clung to Ellen's arm and began to cry loudly.

Denise was sobbing. "It's too much. I can't lose my baby."

Jody saw the look of panic cross Ellen's face. "Denise," Jody snapped. "Stop it. This is not going to help anything. And you." She whipped around to face Beth. "If you want to remain under this roof another minute, stop bawling. This is not a funeral home and no one is dying. In case neither of you have noticed, you're scaring her out of her wits." Jody was shaking.

Denise stepped away. "I'm sorry," she said. "I don't know what came over me." She dug a tissue from her purse and began to dry her eyes. "Of course, everything is going to be all right. There are so many options today. You're young and I'm sure you caught the cancer early enough. I'm sorry, Ellen."

Beth stopped crying, but she retained her proprietary hold on Ellen's arm.

The clock on the mantel announced it was noon. "It's time to go, Ellen. I'll drive you," Jody said.

"I'll drive her," Beth insisted, moving Ellen toward the door.

"I'll drive her," Denise announced.

"I'll drive myself," Ellen growled as she fled from the house and slammed the door behind her.

Jody grabbed her keys and left Denise and Beth standing in her living room. As she backed out into the street, she saw Denise on the porch digging through her purse for her key to Jody's house and smiled. The world could be ending and Denise would still take time to lock the door.

Chapter Twenty-Two.

Jody used her cell phone to call information to get the address of Dr. Kenneth Wray's office. Thankfully there was only one listing for him.

When Jody entered the waiting room, Ellen was staring into s.p.a.ce. She looked stunned.

"Is it okay if I sit down?"

Ellen looked up and grabbed Jody's hand. "Thank you for coming. I'm sorry I was such a b.i.t.c.h back there. I kind of lost it when they started crying."

Jody patted her arm. "That's all right, but you need to get prepared. I saw your mom's car behind me in traffic a couple of times. I'm sure they'll be here any minute." She took Ellen's hand. "Before they arrive, there's something I'd like to say. No matter what, I don't want you to be alone during this." She fidgeted in her chair. "After you finish here . . ." She struggled for words, realizing she didn't even know for sure what came next after the lumpectomy.

Suddenly, Denise barged through the door with Beth trailing close behind.

Jody gave herself a mental kick for being so slow in asking Ellen to stay with her. She would have to wait or ask her in front of Denise and Beth.

Ellen groaned. "This is going to turn into a three-ring circus."

Jody held up a hand to ward off Beth and Denise. "Look at me," she said to Ellen. "What do you want from me? If you need me in the background as a shoulder to cry on, I'm there. If you want me-"

Ellen put a finger to Jody's lips. "I want you beside me for the rest of my life."

"I have some say here," Beth insisted.

"Go home, Beth. It's over," Ellen said.

Beth dropped on her knees in front of Ellen and grabbed her hands. "It can't be over. I love you so much. Can't you see how much you mean to me? We're perfect for each other. Don't you remember how all of our friends thought so? I'm nothing without you. How can I leave you? You need me here to care for you."

Denise must have realized that the entire waiting room was now staring at them, because she tapped Beth's arm and said, "Get up. This is not the time or place for this."

Beth was about to protest, but the look of determination on Denise's face left no room for discussion. Beth took the chair on the other side of Ellen. She'd barely settled in when Denise fixed her with a stare. Unable to withstand Denise's glare, Beth moved over to allow Denise to sit next to her daughter. They waited in silence. Denise held one of Ellen's hands and Jody the other.

When the nurse called her name, Ellen said to Jody, "Please don't be hurt, but I want to go in alone. I'm not sure I can explain this, but I feel like I have to do this alone. Whatever happens in there, it's something that I'll ultimately have to face by myself."

Jody swallowed her disappointment and nodded. "I'm not hurt," she lied. Why couldn't Ellen understand that whatever she decided would affect everyone who loved her? But now was not a time for philosophical arguments. "I'll be right here if you need me. Please don't ever think you are alone. You have me and your mom." In a moment of generosity, Jody added, "And Beth. Don't try to face this by yourself, Ellen. Let us help you."

Ellen nodded briefly and stood. Denise and Beth stood with her. "I'm going in alone," Ellen told them. "I need to do this by myself. Mom, please, stay with Jody. She could use a friend."

Jody looked up, surprised by Ellen's observation, but she realized it was true.

Denise gazed at Ellen for a long moment before merely nodding.

Denise didn't speak to Jody, but she did take the chair that Ellen had vacated. The two friends sat side by side as they waited in silence.

A large clock hung above the receptionist's desk. Jody watched the second hand make a painfully slow rotation and realized she would lose her mind if she continued to watch the seconds tick off one by one. She tried flipping through a magazine, reading the posters on the walls and people-watching. She finally gave up and stared at the door that Ellen had disappeared behind.

Almost an hour went by before Ellen emerged. She looked pale, but she managed a small smile for the three women waiting for her.

They trailed out behind her. No one spoke until they were in the parking lot, where they all began to speak at once.

Ellen held up her hand and they fell silent. "I didn't want to have this conversation here in the parking lot, but I guess there's no other option." She grabbed Jody's hand and took a deep breath before beginning. "Dr. Wray gave me a lot of statistics and maybes. As you already know, the biopsy tested malignant."

Denise swayed. Jody grabbed her and held her steady. Denise gulped air for a moment, before she shook her head and pulled away from Jody.

"I'm sorry," Denise said as she brushed a hand over her eyes. "Please, go on, honey."

Ellen glanced at each of the women and said, "Dr. Wray told me it's serious, but because of the early diagnosis and my age he feels certain that a lumpectomy followed by radiation will be all I need. He said he's seen women survive much worse cases. I intend to be a survivor." Ellen squared her shoulders. "I'm having the procedure on Thursday at ten o'clock at the Methodist Hospital. I'll be in the hospital for overnight."

"My G.o.d," Denise cried. "Is there no other alternative?"

Ellen patted Denise's hand. "Mom, it's going to be okay. It won't be like it was with Grandma or Aunt Alice."

Jody struggled to a.s.similate the information. She looked into the grief-stricken faces around her. Denise seemed to have shrunk an inch. Her shoulders hunched forward as if trying to ward off any further blows.

Beth's stepping back caught Jody's attention. She turned and was shocked by the look of disgust on Beth's face. In an effort to prevent Ellen from seeing the look, Jody stepped between them and put her arm around Ellen. As she did so, she felt a tremor run through Ellen's body. Jody held her closer, not caring whether or not Denise approved.

"You'll come home with me," Denise insisted.

"No, Mom. I'm spending the night at Jody's. If that's all right with you," she said, looking at Jody.

It was with mixed emotions that Jody said yes. She knew how much Denise was hurting and how important it was that Ellen be near her during all of this. But Jody wanted Ellen near her, also. She squeezed Ellen's hand gently.

At Ellen's words, Denise's head shot up and she started to protest.

Ellen again held up her hand. "Mom, I love you, but this is not open for discussion. I love Jody. I'm with Jody. I'm staying with Jody. I don't know how else to say this. If you want me in your life, you're going to have to get used to it."

Ellen turned to Jody. There were tears in her eyes, but she brushed quickly them away. "I need to get some clothes from the hotel. I'll be over in about an hour." She kissed Jody's cheek and started to walk away.

Jody followed her. "Ellen." Ellen stopped and turned around.

"Why don't you check out of the hotel?" Jody asked. "After you're feeling better and all of this is over with, you can start looking for a place of your own if you want to, but for now stay with me." She hesitated. "Please."

Ellen c.o.c.ked her head. "I think you may mean that, Jody Scott."

"I do. I want you near me."

"Is this because of the cancer?" Ellen asked.

Jody looked over Ellen's shoulder and took a deep breath before meeting her gaze. "That's part of the reason, but mostly, it's because I want to be with you." She stopped and shrugged. "I love you and I miss you when you aren't around."

Ellen looked at the ground and took several seconds before answering. "It'll take me a while to pack my things and check out of the hotel." She glanced up at Jody and smiled.

Jody fought the urge to jump up and down and shout. "Do you need any help?" She managed to keep her feet on the ground, but she couldn't keep the smile off her face.

"Just be there when I get home," Ellen said and looked over Jody's shoulder. "I've really hurt Mom. What should I do?"

Jody glanced back at Denise. "I'll try to talk to her. If she agrees, would you mind if I invited her over? She needs to be near you."

Ellen kissed Jody's cheek. "Thank you. I would like to see you two mend fences." Ellen headed for her car.

Jody turned back to talk to Denise, but she and Beth had already left.

Chapter Twenty-Three.

Jody rushed home and changed her sheets. She cleaned off a shelf in the bathroom for Ellen's things. She made s.p.a.ce in the closet and was in the process of emptying out drawers when the doorbell rang.

She raced to the door, eager to get rid of whoever it was. She threw open the door to find Ellen standing there with four large suitcases.

"If I stay, do I get my own key, or do I have to keep ringing the doorbell?" Ellen asked and attempted a weak smile.

Jody pulled her inside and kissed her. "I have a spare in my desk with your name on it." She took Ellen's hand and led her through the house to her tiny office. She dug through a drawer looking for the spare key.

"I hope it doesn't have a lot of scratch marks from all those other names you've marked off," Ellen said as she watched Jody.

"Nope, you'll be the first one to own it." Jody finally found the elusive object and held it up in triumph.

"Right." Ellen rolled her eyes and took the key. An awkward silence filled the room.

"Let me get your stuff and I'll help you unpack," Jody said and went back to the living room to retrieve Ellen's luggage.

They took the bags to the bedroom and Jody finished cleaning out the drawers while Ellen unpacked.

When Ellen finished unpacking, Jody stored the suitcases away in the guest-room closet. Ellen was putting away the last of her things when Jody returned.

"Are you hungry?"

"I should be starving. I've been so busy I didn't get a chance to eat lunch."

"Come on. I'll make us a salad."

Jody poured two gla.s.ses of iced tea to go with their salads. As they sat at the table Ellen picked at her food.

"Are you all right?" Jody asked.