Always and Forever by Lurlene McDaniel Page B

sweat,” Jory assured. “Watson was the picture of sympathy and understanding. She said you made the final ten fair and square, and even though you haven’t been drilling with them, she’s sure you’ll be up to speed in no time once you return.”
    Melissa sagged with relief, twisted the phone cord around her forefinger, and said, “I’m on for the PSATs, too. Dr. Rowan wasn’t thrilled about my taking them, but I’m doing it anyway.”
    “Can I come to the hospital and help you pack up?”
    “You don’t have to. Mom will be here. Michael, too.”
    Melissa sensed the disappointment in a long pause and said, “What the heck. The more the merrier. Come on down.”
    After lunch Melissa changed into street clothes, the first she’d worn since her admission. Her jeans hung sadly on her thin body and she could almost count her ribs through her T-shirt. She didn’t care. She was going home. She packed everything in paper bags and a suitcase except for one cuddly teddy bear. She gave it to a nurse at the central nurse’s station. “This is for Rachael—the little four-year-old girl with the curly, reddish hair.”
    The nurse smiled. “Oh, you mean Rachael Dove. How nice of you, Melissa. She’s down in chemo right now and this will be a special treat for her when they bring her back up. She’s usually pretty sick after her treatments.”
    Melissa returned to her room and waited silently with Jory while her mother handled the paperworkand Michael lugged her things down in the elevator. The Pink Lady, a hospital volunteer, made her ride down in a wheelchair, and Melissa felt self-conscious rolling through the lobby. Once outside, she saw both her mom’s and Jory’s cars parked beside the curb. “Which chariot will it be?” Her mother asked.
    “Do you mind if Jory takes me?”
    Her mother’s expression said that she did mind, but she said, “Of course not. I’ll see you back at the house.”
    Hastily, Melissa asked, “You are riding with us, aren’t you Michael?”
    His blue eyes flashed her a knowing, tolerant look. “Sure.”
    “Would you—uh—like to drive?” Jory asked, offering him the keys.
    Michael took them. “Why not.”
    “I’ll sit in the back,” Melissa said. “There’s more room.” Michael settled her in the backseat. The car felt familiar and comfortable and smelled faintly of Jory’s jasmine perfume. “Can you put the top down?” Melissa asked.
    Jory and Michael exchanged glances. “Is that a good idea?” Michael asked.
    “I’ve been cooped up inside for two weeks. I want to feel the sun … smell fresh air. Please?”
    When Michael lowered the top Melissa turned her face up to soak in the warmth of the sun. She breathed deeply the cool, dry autumn air until her head grew light and her body finally relaxed. “Home, James,” she directed with a snap of her fingers.
    Michael drove slowly, cautiously, stopping at yellow traffic lights instead of barreling through as he normally might do. Jory sat sideways in her seat, gazing at Michael contentedly. Melissa watched the sunlightplay off her friend’s hair and the breeze ruffle through Michaels. “We can go a little faster, you know,” she said.
    “No we can’t,” Jory replied. She reached into her glove compartment and removed a yellow diamond-shaped sign with black lettering. She stuck it to the windshield, beneath the rearview mirror. Melissa smiled when she read it: “Slow. Precious Cargo on Board.”

Chapter Thirteen

    “Do you like what we’ve done to your bedroom, honey?” Mrs. Austin’s question made Melissa pause as she walked around her room.
    “It’s nice, Mom. Really. I had no idea … ”
    “Michael and I wanted to surprise you. He painted the walls and the woodwork, and I picked out the comforter and curtains.”
    Melissa fingered the powder-blue spread decorated with printed apricot-and-white long-stemmed lilies. The faint aroma of fresh paint hung in the air. “I mean it, Mom. It’s