Trenton guided Brooke along through the crowded restaurant to an awaiting Leena.  The two women grinned and hugged in greeting.  Soon the three were catching up like no time at all had passed since they had seen each other armed with great drinks and appetizers. Trenton kept checking his phone and glancing toward the door for his friend who had yet to show.

Their favorite restaurant was bustling to life even on a weeknight. The nautical decor was appropriate for a restaurant called "The Boat," but the food was unmatched. Brooke had been longing for the green salad with unique house dressing since Christmas. Her plate was soon empty.

A buzzing from her purse vibrating through her thigh pulled Brooke's attention away from Trenton's story.  An unknown number on the screen made her brows furrow, but she answered it anyway, plugging her opposite ear with a finger.

"Hello?" she answered loudly over the noise of the sports game. "Yes, this is Brooke Johnson...Um...yeah, let me get to a place where I can hear you better. I'm at dinner. Just a second." Then to Trenton and Leena, "I'll be right back."

Quickly making her way through the crowd, Brooke headed back outside the front door. 

"OK, yes this is Brooke Johnson."

"Hi Brooke," the woman's tense voice repeated. "I'm calling from Arcadia Hospital.  You are listed as Adriana Johnson's emergency contact."

"Oh God, what happened?" Her heart began to race, assuming the worst. "Is my daughter alright?"

"Yes, Ma'am, Melody is fine," she assured. "She is with a social worker until you arrive.  Your mother collapsed, and your daughter called 9-1-1.  They just got here, and Melody gave us your cell number."

"I'll grab my purse and be there in 15 minutes. I'm not far," Brooke answered. She laid a hand on her chest willing the racing muscle to calm.

"Drive safely," the nurse answered before ending the call.

Brooke had to take a moment to calm herself, fighting the tears threatening to spill.  She had to stay healthy, not just for her mom, but for Melody. Her five-year-old knew Grandma was sick but didn't understand how severely. Once composed enough to face her friends, Brooke spun to return inside.  She immediately slammed into a firm chest. Strong hands grabbed her arms, steadying her from falling.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Brooke apologized immediately, risking a gaze upward at the person she assaulted.

The frowning, brooding man released her after giving a once over. The drool-worthy specimen in dark wash jeans, a white button down with rolled up sleeves, glowered.

"Watch where you are going!" he barked. He stepped away from her and headed for the restaurant's crimson doors.

"Hey," Brooke snapped back, fist on her popped out hip.  He stopped abruptly, turning halfway to face her.  Dark chocolate eyes slowly trailed downward then flicked back to Brooke's. One dark eyebrow lifted. "I said I was sorry.  A gentleman would also apologize and accept mine."

He had the audacity to shrug. "I'm not a gentleman."

Brook scoffed then made her way toward the door in an angry huff.  She had other priorities to deal with other than a jerk who felt as if he was God's gift to women.

Luckily, he disappeared into the crowd around the bar.  Brooke arrived at their table and grabbed her purse.  Her companions watched with grave concern.

"Hey," Trenton exclaimed. "My friend just...got here..."  He frowned and watched Brooke gather her things in bewilderment.

"Moms at Arcadia," she explained, quickly pulling out cash to pay her portion of the food yet to arrive. "Melody is with a social worker."

"I'll come with you," Leena offered, reaching for her purse but Brooke stopped her.

"No, stay, and enjoy. I'll call if I need you."

"Promise?" Her friend quirked a doubtful brow.

"I promise," Brooke agreed.  She hugged both her friends then dashed out weaving through the crowd again to the exit.

Leena and Trenton exchanged worried glances.  Their newest arrival sat his beer down then took an available seat.

"Sorry I'm late guys," he huffed, bringing his beer to his lips. "Traffic was terrible. Some grouchy, PMS'y chick rammed into me outside then accused me of not being a gentleman!" He scoffed then took another drink.

"Hey Lincoln," Leena chuckled.  Trenton stood to man hug his friend.

"I'm glad you made it, bro," Trenton greeted, clapping his friends back.

"Me too," Lincoln chuckled. "Where's this amazingly gorgeous friend of yours?" He wiggled his eyebrows mischievously.

Leena cast a shy look toward Trenton, drawing her lips in.  Trenton sighed his regret.

"You uh...just missed her," Trenton grumbled. "Family emergency."

"Dude," Lincoln chortled. "I'm beginning to think this girl doesn't really exist.  She cancels at Christmas, ghosts over her spring break.  Now she's supposedly moved back to the area but suddenly leaves because of a family emergency? I can't keep driving up here for someone who isn't interested."

"Her mom was taken to the hospital tonight," Leena explained further, feeling protective of her friend.

"Oh," Lincoln acknowledged coolly, then took another sip. "I guess that is a pretty important priority."

****

"Hi, I'm looking for Adriana Johnson?" Brooke announced once she stepped inside the ER. "And my daughter, Melody King?"

The nurse typed a few things into the computer then looked up at Brooke. "Are you family?"

She nodded. "I'm Adriana's daughter and Melody's mother." 

"Bed 3C is where Mrs. Johnson is," the nurse robotically replied. "Your daughter is in the waiting room with a social worker."

"Thank you," Brooke added before rushing toward bed 3C. 

Melody was safe with the social worker.  She needed the prognosis on her mom first without little ears overhearing. Dr. Taylor was leaving the curtained off area when Brooke arrived.

"Dr. Taylor!"

"Brooke," he sighed after turning to see her.  A weak smile tilted the corners of his lips. "I'm admitting your mom.  Brooke, this is it."

A dam shattered from her tear ducts as Brooke numbly nodded. "H-how long?"

"A few days at the most," he replied softly. "Call who you need. She'll be in a room shortly.  This last stage is pain management so she's on a high dosage of morphine right now, resting as comfortably as I can get her."

"OK," she whispered through a quivering lower lip.  Dr. Taylor slowly turned and left.  Brooke clapped a hand over her mouth to stifle the sobs.

Only a few days left of Adriana's three month battle. Soon her suffering would end. In that way, Brooke was glad for this end nearing.  A selfish part of her wanted her mom healthy and to be a part of Melody's life growing up. Maybe even to hold and celebrate more grandbabies.

Pain management meant her mom wouldn't be coherent.  Brooke would need someone to keep Melody safe at home while Brooke stayed at the hospital. She calmed with some tactical breathing then took out her phone, dialing the ones she promised to call if needed.

Several nurses entered the bed area, preparing the wheels for movement just as Brooke hung up the phone.  They told her a room number, but it didn't register.  Now Brooke had to get to her daughter and tell Melody the heartbreaking news.

"Hey Sweetie," Brooke called gently.  The sight of her daughter playing happily, blissfully unaware of how their world was about to shatter and crumble made the floodgates tremble again.

"Mommy!" she cried, jumping up and running into her mother's arms for a tight embrace. "Is Grandma OK? I was so scared.  I did exactly what you said to do on her cell phone."

"You did it perfectly!" Brooke assured her now weeping girl. "You were so brave and got her here. But honey." Brooke reluctantly pulled her child away. "You did everything just right.  What I am about to tell you has nothing to do with tonight, OK?"

Melody silently nodded, her pink lower lip sticking out and quivering.  She was trying so hard to be brave.

"Grandma, is not-"  She looked away, blinking away tears, unsure how to say the news.  Her parenting philosophy had always been to be clear, explain at age-appropriate levels, and be honest.  "Grandma has been sick for a long time.  Her body is ready to rest now."

"The cancer is winning?" Tears streaked the little girls face.

"Yes, honey." Brooke nodded. "She's hurting right now, but they gave her medicine to help her relax. I'm going to take you to say goodnight then I'll get you home to bed, OK?"

"Grandma is gonna leave us?"

Oh, God!

Brooke squeezed her eyes shut, lips pressing into a thin line. "She's going to sleep soon to wait for Jesus with Poppy," Brooke replied carefully. Tears welled in her eyes, voice cracking as Brooke spoke, "She won't be in pain anymore."

Taking her crying daughter into her arms, Brooke carried her up to Adriana's room.  She was indeed sleeping peacefully, induced by a high dosage of morphine.  It was the greatest moment of deja vu — an identical scene to when her dad passed from cancer.

At least it wasn't a scary sight for Melody.  She climbed onto the bed, gently giving her only grandma a long, loving hug between sobs, telling her sleeping form how much she was loved and will be missed.  Melody thanked her for the frozen yogurt mommy wasn't supposed to know about and forgave her for not being able to take her to Disneyland again.

Brooke stayed outside the door, eyes closed and a hand clasped over her mouth to stifle the sobs. Four strong arms embraced her, drawing more sobs as she wet a cotton t-shirt.  No one cared.  Trenton and Leena held their friend until the tears faded.

"Trent," Brooke said when her sobbing calmed. "Can you...take Melody home and put her in bed?"

He nodded, willing to do whatever his friend asked.  Taking the car and house keys first from Brooke, Trenton entered the dark hospital room and scooped a sleeping child into his arms. Placing a kiss on her daughter's forehead, Brooke knew Melody would be well cared for.

Hesitantly Brooke entered the room with Leena following a respectful distance behind. They each sat in an armchair gazing out at the large, wall-like windows adjacent to the bed.  Shimmering stars dotted the clear night sky above cars many floors below driving along.  All of them were oblivious to the turmoil in Brooke's aching heart.  It was far too beautiful a night for something so terrible to be happening. 

The steady beeping of the monitors lulled Brooke to sleep.  Her cheek was cupped by a palm, with an elbow on the bed beside her mother's cold hands.

Early the next morning, as dawn broke its vibrant colors over the Sierra Madre mountains, Brooke woke.  She inhaled a breath through her nose and stretched.  The room was oddly quiet.  No beeping from the monitors.  Brooke leaned over, taking her mother's hands in both of her own.  They were ice cold. 

Moisture filled eyes flicked down to watch Brooke's fingers stroke he mother's hands.  The tips were blue. No oxygen.  Adriana's eyes were closed as they had been when Brooke gave in to sleep.  Brooke rose, leaned in and placed a kiss on her mother's forehead. 

"I'll see you again soon, Mom.  Rest well."

Brooke quietly made her way out of Adriana's room.  Coming down the hallway, Leena carried a cup of coffee in each hand. She stopped, chocolate eyes widening then turning down with sadness.

"Nurse," Brooke's cried out, arms wrapping around her middle. The weak and hoarse voice, croaking as she tried to speak was foreign to Brooke's ears. "Nurse!" she tried again more forcefully. An older, short, round woman came around the desk. "Get Dr. Taylor to call time of death."