Installment #34 And the doctor said...

     Cynthia sat in her car at the Cracker Barrel.  She wondered how she would know when Marge and Tucker pulled into the lot.  She had no idea what kind of car Marge drove.  No doubt some sort of SUV.  Marge was an artist and travelled with her supplies, so she needed room for them.  She was not looking forward to this meeting at all.  What if Marge did not like her?  What if she said something wrong.  Tucker had not discussed Marge at all.  Oh, well.  She was sure Marge was out of her league as far as class went, but screw that.  She was here because Tucker wanted her here.

     She watched as a big, black Lexus pulled into the front parking lot.  No, that was not Tucker getting out of that one.    Not the Silverado either.  She had about given up when a little green and white Mini Cooper darted in the drive, made a quick left and then a right into a parking place without a moment’s hesitation.  Tucker would not be able to get into that one and if he did he would never get out, that was for sure.  And yet she watched as the passenger door opened and Tucker began to unfold his 6’2” frame out and up.  He spotted her watching and shrugged his shoulders.  Cynthia laughed.  Tucker smiled.  Then she turned to look at the woman getting out of the driver’s side.  So this was Marge.  Not at all what she had pictured.  The only photo Tucker had of her was on her wedding day to David.  That photo was 20 years old and Marge was a smiling bride with flowers in her hair. 

     Marge turned and looked straight into Cynthia’s eyes and then reached out and folded her in her arms.  “Tucker was right.  You are a very kind woman.  It shows in your eyes.”

  Cynthia wondered at that statement, but then turned her attention to Tucker.  He looked very handsome today, but there was an aloofness about him that bothered Cynthia.  Maybe it was just that Marge was with them.  Maybe they had gotten bad news at the doctor.  Tucker was very quiet all through lunch.  After the dishes were cleared away and the waitress brought more coffee and the ticket, Marge broke the news to her.

     “Tucker’s cancer has metastasized on his spine and his pubis.  That is where the pain is coming from.  He is going to go to 10 days of radiation to stop the cancer and help get him to a place that pain pills will actually work.  This is not going to stop the cancer or make it go away, just make it manageable for the time he has left.”  Marge stopped talking and looked carefully at Cynthia.  Cynthia looked at Tucker who looked out the window, lost in his own thoughts. 

     For a few moments, Cynthia was miles away watching her husband die.  She suddenly felt very cold inside.  Cold and empty.  She looked at the two strangers beside her.  This was not right.  This was not good.  This was not how it was supposed to be.  She had not dated for a long time after Rick and Tucker had been her first attempt at a relationship, if it could be called that.  They were friends and friends were not supposed to just die like this.  She wanted very much to reach out and touch him; to hold him, but he was the one that made the rules and touching was not acceptable. 

     She turned to look at Marge and was shocked to find her intensely watching her and the pain in her eyes was palpable.  “Cynthia, I am so very sorry.  Is there anything I can do to make this easier for you?  You do know that I will handle all his medical appointments and make all the connections and make this as easy as I can for him and you.  I love him, too.”

     Cynthia wondered at the use of the word “love” in connection with her and Tucker’s friendship.  She quickly realized that this was not a time to question the use of a word.  “Isn’t there any hope at all?”

     “Well, where there is life there is hope, but no, there isn’t.  The cancer has spread and the only hope of radiation is to slow it enough to let us get his pain under control.  But, of course you can hope.  Hope and pray and all the things you need to do to live with this and help him through it.”  She stopped as if frozen by a thought.  She weighed her next words very carefully, “That is if you want to help him through this…”

     Now it was Cynthia’s turn to be taken aback.  “Well, of course!  I am in for the duration, whatever the outcome.  Tucker is very important to me.”  They both turned to look at Tucker who was still looking out the window, lost in thoughts of what?

     As she brought her eyes back to meet Marge’s she suddenly thought of a big hourglass being turned upside down and the sand was slowly drifting down.  With a heavy heart she smiled at Marge.

     “Guess you and I are going to get to be pretty good friends, huh?”

     Marge smiled brightly, “Oh, yes, sweetie, I can see that happening.”