Cancer

It was 6 a.m. and Brian was staring at the ceiling knowing the alarm was about to go off waking her up.

He wanted to turn it off and let her sleep but, she had to work at the hospital and didn't have anymore days off for a while.

A single tear ran down his face as the alarm rang out Chase reached up and turned it off. She never even looked at him just got up from their bed walked into the bathroom and started the shower.

The door closed as he looked up she wouldn't even look at him. The last few days events were a precursor to destroying both of their worlds with just a few simple words.

Just a few days before he had finally gone and had the doctor look at him. She had found a few polyps in his colon, which were causing him some discomfort and weight loss.

In the next few months, there were tests, surgeries and more tests. This was leading up to the day that broke her heart and his pride was cut to the bone.

The phone rang about three in the afternoon asking him to be at the doctors office as soon as possible. He already knew it wasn't going to be good news and that hit him hard his stomach began to ache.

He phoned and Chase came home and they went together he held her hand the whole drive never letting go. His face told her more than his pride would let him say to her, he was terrified.

She finally broke the silence, "I have stayed by your side through all of this. I won't give up on you now."

This caused him to break out crying hard and loud she pulled to the side of the road to soothe him, "Shh, its alright Brian it's going to be alright I promise."

He calmed and they drove on she led him into the office and he sat in the waiting room as she went to the window for him.

"Brian is here for Doctor Smith." she said the nurses and office workers all had a sad look on their faces she knew it must be more bad news.

They finally got in after a half hour wait Brian was twitching he was so nervous. Chase did her best to calm him down but, he was becoming manic and she already knew what that meant. She had to let it go and run its course or he would be impossible to deal with later.

They sat down and the doctor never hesitated, "You need more surgery Brian we found more cancerous polyps that need to come out immediately."

Brian just sat there a tear running down his cheeks.

"We are going to need a minute Dr. please." Chase asked politely.

Brian sat there staring at the floor he had no idea what to say, what to do. For so long he has suffered through the manic phases, now here was his chance to stop his pain, to stop her suffering.

He had known for months she wanted to leave and yet, she stayed for the one reason that she was there now, he was sick. It broke his heart to know that if he got better odds are she would only leave eventually anyway.

"I can't do it. It's not worth it I am tired." was all Brian said to her then he got up and walked out.

She followed behind him tears running down her red swollen cheeks. She politely told the Dr. as they went by what he had decided then that was that.

Since she hadn't spoken to him, looked at him, held his hand or even comforted him when he wept. It was just over within weeks she had finally moved out leaving him alone in the house but, didn't file for divorce until after he was finally terminal with only days to live.

"On the divorce decree for the reason she wrote: I wasn't worth it."

-As previously published on Helium.com