I wrote this short story back in 2000 and somehow it when I was looking through my old stuff today it just jumped out. I hope you enjoy it.

The Diagnoses
By Patrick R. Aquilone

The doctor entered the room. There was a silence as Joe and Nancy had been waiting, praying that the results would be good. They had been through so much. They had plans for the future for their family. They had hopes of growing old hopes of being there for all the good and bad. All that they had been or would be came down to this moment. It would either change everything or offer a sigh of relief.

“Joe, Nancy,” spoke the doctor. He smiled and then it faded to a frown. The doctor had been there through it all for them. Through the cyst, the gal bladder, the pregnancy with all there problems, and much more. He had helped them struggle through everything, but this time would be different. “I am afraid that I have bad news. The test came back.” The doctor hung is head down. He knew how they would receive the news. “It’s cancer.”

Joe’s mouth dropped to the floor. His wife had cancer. He could not believe what he was hearing. He almost began to cry, but stopped himself. His heart had dropped. His face had dropped and his shock shown on his face.

Nancy turned and looked at Joe. In an instant, she knew all that he was thinking, feeling. She had been with him for so long that she did not need words. It was all there in his face. It was written like a book for her to read. She knew he was feeling her pain. She knew there was nothing she could do.

“What now?” Asked Nancy after a long pause.

“Well, we could try chemo,” the doctor placed the file on the counter. “But honestly, you don’t have long. Personally, I would make the best of what time you have.”

Joe could not believe his ears. His worst nightmare was coming true. It had taken him what he thought was an eternity to find Nancy and now she was going away. Not by choice or in an ill manner, but going away nonetheless.

“How long?” Joe barely managed to get the words out.

“If her body puts up a fight, maybe six months no more.” The room fell silent as the doctor spoke those fatal and final words on the subject. There was nothing more he could do.

Nancy could feel the warmth of the love in the room. She began to feel at peace. It was not the love of her husband or the doctor although both did love her. She felt the love of God. She knew it was all right. She did not know if she would be healed or taken to heaven. All she knew is that she was not alone. That God was with her and her family.

She looked at Joe who had hung his head and the smile grew bigger. “It’s alright.”

Joe raised his head. He was not sure he heard what he heard. He was not sure if this was just a ploy by his wife to make him feel strong and secure through this time. He was not sure of just about anything anymore.

“It’s alright,” Nancy reiterated. “God is with us.”

Joe managed to smile and as he did he could feel the love in the room. He too began to have that peace that passes understanding. He began to understand why Nancy was smiling. He too was not sure what was going to happen, but he knew that God was there. And he knew that no matter what happened, God would be there.

They left the doctor’s office holding hands Nancy, Joe and God.