Part 10 (2/2)
”Tell you what, let's watch a Western. We both love horses.”
Dasher put her new PDA in her pocket for another time and dug through a box of DVDs she'd brought from her mother's place. Although Dash had a few childhood memories of camping, she never could figure out why Mimi liked cowboy films so much. From what little her mother would say, she'd been raised poor and in a city. Rolling tundra seemed like an odd thing for an agoraphobic to long for.
The next day Kate and Mimi were watching an early Clint Eastwood Italian Western and laughing at the acting and dialogue when Dasher came unexpectedly early. Kate was delighted until she saw Dasher's face.
”What's wrong?” She looked ready to tear something in two.
Mimi regarded Dasher. ”Oh. You must've talked to my doctors.”
”Yeah, I have. Do you want to know what they told me?”
Kate hit the Stop b.u.t.ton on the DVD player. From the expression on both women's faces, this didn't involve her.
Mimi said, ”Now, Dasher-”
As if she'd been struck, Dasher flinched. ”Don't you dare 'Now, Dasher' me, Mom. Don't you dare.”
”I should go.” Kate started to rise and Dasher held up her hand.
”No. Stay. You can hear this. Mother, would you like to give the bad news to Kate?”
Mimi was silent, staring at the dark screen on the DVD player.
”Dash...”
Kate didn't have any idea what to do.
Dasher ignored her. ”Seems my mother has cancer, yes, but it's probably quite treatable. They would have to do surgery to remove a tumor in her uterus and then go from there, depending on what they find.”
”Well, that's wonderful, right?” Why did Dasher look so anguished?
”I've refused the surgery,” Mimi said. ”Does that about sum it up, sweetie?”
”Yes. You're so happy to be dying that no one or nothing can spoil your fun, especially not the prospect of actually living. Because why would you want to do that? No one cares about you, no one loves you. No one that matters anyway.”
”Das.h.!.+” Kate exclaimed.
Mimi touched Kate's arm and said, ”No, let her talk.”
”You know, Mother, I have power of attorney for legal and health matters. I could have you declared incompetent and force you to get that surgery.” The anger and pain that were so evident in Dasher's eyes broke Kate's heart.
Regarding her evenly, Mimi said, ”But you won't.”
The standoff lasted maybe ten seconds, then Dasher dropped her head, the fire replaced by resignation. The next time she met her mother's gaze she said, ”No. If there's nothing here worth living for, I can't do a d.a.m.ned thing about it.” She turned and left the room.
The gravity of what had just happened and what Dasher had said hit Kate like a punch in the chest. She whirled on Mimi. ”How could you do that?”
Shaking her head, Mimi said, ”The odd thing is, I've been thinking about having the surgery, trying to see if I can do better this time, and it was all for Dasher. But I can't guarantee that anything will change. Don't you think I've caused enough pain to that lovely woman? Don't you think it's best for Dasher?”
”What are you talking about?”
”I'm saying that Dasher could live her life if she didn't have the albatross named Mimi hanging around her neck.” Her eyes were s.h.i.+mmering with tears.
Kate walked over to her, took both her shoulders, and looked her in the eye. ”You just told Dasher that she wasn't important enough to even keep you alive. You confirmed her worst fears about herself. This isn't about you any longer, Mimi. It's time for you to be her mother. Excuse me.”
When she stormed out the door, she heard quiet sobbing behind her.
Kate couldn't find Dasher anywhere. She tried the garden, looked in the waiting rooms on every floor, even got caught for a few autographs while scanning the cafeteria. Finally she happened upon the chapel. When she entered she saw only one person. Dasher was sitting quietly in a pew, staring at the wall that contained representations of several of the world's religions: a cross, a Star of David, a statue of a sitting Buddha, and the crescent moon and five-pointed star to represent Islam. Rows of votive candles were available for people to light to pray for their loved ones, and the faint odor of incense filled the air. The place was quiet and peaceful.
Kate sat beside Dasher, took her hand and squeezed it, then clasped their hands together in her lap. Dasher's strong profile revealed tear tracks the length of her face, but her eyes were dry.
”Why are you still here?” Dasher asked. ”I would think you'd have run screaming from this place a long time ago.” The roughness of her voice confirmed that she'd been crying.
”I've been looking for you. I was afraid you'd done the same thing.”
”Nah. I'll get it together and go back. She'll be frightened.”
Kate turned away from the religious icons and faced Dasher. ”Look at me, Dash, please.”
Finally, Dasher met her eyes and Kate confirmed what she feared. She saw shame. ”If your mother chooses not to have the surgery, that's on her. You are one of the most loving, compa.s.sionate human beings I've ever known. I could never be one-tenth the person you are. Just knowing you are my friend makes me a better person.” Kate realized that she could have sold this as a dramatic scene, but she meant every word.
She kissed Dasher's forehead and then her cheek, slightly grazing the corner of her mouth. ”I am in awe of you.”
They held each other's gaze until someone came in the room. The spell broken, they walked out together.
Just as they opened the door a man cleared his throat and they looked up to see Chaz Hockaday busily shooting photos, his face still covered in scratches and blisters. His partner in crime, Michael, was standing to the side, looking as though he wished he were anywhere but there. He waved and smiled apologetically.
Dasher was taken aback, then stepped in front of Kate. ”Hockaday, can't you leave Miss Hoffman alone?”
Kate was surprised, then pleased that her knight was trying to protect her.
”Aw, come on, you know how it is. Catching the two of you together is putting food on my table. Now, be a sport and move so I can get a few more.”
He was grinning and started shooting again when Kate stepped out from behind Dasher.
Kate smiled slyly. ”I see you're looking better today. Tell me, were your face and arms the only places you got the sap? I know it's hard to wash off.”
One of his hands dropped toward his crotch, but he caught himself and she could swear that underneath all those sores was a blush. She nodded thoughtfully. ”Yes, I was afraid of that. I'll bet it itches constantly, no matter what you put on it, right? You want to scratch, but then it spreads and gets worse. Just itching and itching.”
”Hey, shut up! It doesn't itch that much.” He looked uncomfortable even saying the word.
”You don't sound very convincing. My brother got it on his p.e.n.i.s once and it drove him crazy. Itching and itching, so tender. Of course, he couldn't have s.e.x, but all that scratching and then it was painful when he'd, well, you know. He got oozing sores.”
The horror on both men's faces was a sight to see. Chaz growled, ”b.i.t.c.h,” then took off for, presumably, the bathroom. Michael was right behind him.
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