The Future Is Now

Inspired by Cafe Writing Option Two: Timed Writing

Take seven minutes and write on the subject of fleeting gifts.
Also offered in response to Writer's Island prompts Triumph and Survivor

picture by Teeevoar

Life is one of those precious fleeting gifts, and everything can change in a heartbeat.–Author Unknown

Why is it, that when we are waiting, time seems to go against all laws known to man by slowing to the point of appearing as if it has completely stopped?

All day. I have waited all day. The call has not come. Perhaps they are waiting to until it is the end of the shift to deliver bad news. Makes sense. Drop the bomb and run like hell. It’s what I would do.

It must be hard. Delivering such awful news day in and day out. But not as difficult as it is waiting. Nothing can compare. Ever. You know its coming and there is nothing you can do but wait.

I rack my brain wondering what I could have done differently. I retrace the steps I took that led me to this moment. Yes, there are a few things I would have changed, however I doubt it would alter the outcome. Oh god, this is all my fault. What have I done so wrong that I should deserve this – this waiting?

The phone rings. Before I pick it up I already know who it is, and what they are going to say.

“May I speak to J.C. please?”

“Speaking.”

“This is Becky. I have the results.”

“That was quick.”

The silence hangs between us, neither one wanting to say what needs to be said.

“The results were positive.”

I sit there breathless. My lungs have refused to work and my head feels like it’s full of cotton.

“Cancer?”

“I'm so sorry. I’ve scheduled an appointment with the oncologist tomorrow, she will.....”

Her words sounded distant and hollow. I'm sure the conversation was longer, but I don't remember much of it now. For some reason I couldn't get past that word: Cancer. The world stopped, and in an instant, everything changed.

Time began again, ticking away, each moment lost forever at a maddening pace. Life may be “one of those precious fleeting gifts” but so is the future. It was not until then that I felt it vanishing before my eyes.

How do I make it wait? Hopefully it will wait. I prayed that it would wait.

Epilogue:
It was in April of 2000 when I received the news that I had Stage III Breast Cancer. The next 10 months were lost in the chaos that is chemo, radiation, and recovery. As of this date, I remain cancer free and no longer wait for my future. It is here, and I get to see it every day when I wake up and realize how lucky I am to be alive.