Visceral Fear

 

She's your neighbour and where once a

breezy 'Hi' as you waved at her from across

the street would do nicely because she's a nice

person albeit reserved, things have changed.

True, she now has a grandchild an adorable

little boy in her daytime presence and he has

become a subject of exchanges between you.

Unspoken that question. Oh, you've asked it

many times before and fear a shocking response. 

So you ask, do you mind if I ask? And she does

not. He's managing. The latest therapy and drug 

combination give him some good days between 

the awful ones. Thank heavens, you breathe to 

yourself. The strange agony of fear you felt two 

years ago when they were told he was not a 

candidate for surgery since the cancer he had 

no idea he was harbouring metastasized then later 

the news it had spread to his brain struck horror 

in you. But he somehow rallied and the emerging 

brain tumours subsided, shrank, and she smiled 

both grimly and wistfully. Now, two years on 

you watch as she digs dandelions out of her

lawn, the tiny boy now sure on his legs such an

immense help in the sunshine and fresh air.