Conscience, Cancer And Death! Part I

Carlene Melbourne was shocked when Shari, her former stepdaughter reached out to her on Facebook. She didn’t respond. She reached out on Instagram and Twitter too, and she still didn’t respond. Carlene removed herself from social media for the next ten years. She stopped contact with Shari’s father, her ex-husband, thanking God they didn’t have any children together.

Carlene destroyed everything that brought back the memories of her first marriage to Vincent Malcom, Shari’s father. She even sold the twenty-four karat gold and diamond wedding and engagement ring he bought her and donated the money to St Jude.

She changed her name too, hoping the memories would change with it. That part of her life was sealed away, hoping it would stay where it was.

Relaxing in her living room on her comfortable leather sofa, enjoying an episode of an episode of CSI NY. The memories forced their way in, as her life with Vincent and his daughter was recast and acted out in this CSI episode. Carlene swept them back out, convincing herself, ‘I was young, had no children, and didn’t know how to raise a child.’

‘But you could have tried harder,’ her conscience pressured.

‘Her mother was nearby and didn’t have the time to care for her. Why should I raise her child while she partied and enjoyed her life?’ she argued with her conscience.

‘You were a child too, you helped to raise your sisters. You could have helped this innocent child!’

“I did the best I could!’ she fought back.

‘But you love the cow and couldn’t love the calf,’ her conscience mocks.

‘It wasn’t my job or responsibility to love the calf. She had a mother!’ Carlene screamed.

‘A child needed love and you couldn’t give it to her,’ her conscience tortured.

In the end, the female whose name was Shirl, who was abused never recovered from the trauma she endured at the hands of her stepmother. She sought revenge twenty-five years later. Her father divorced her when she was still young. She hunted down her stepmother and killed her.

Freeing her tears, Carlene grabbed her pill bottle and gulped down two of her night pills that aided in her sleeping. In no time the memory dissolved as she slid into dreamland.

The next morning, Carlene was early for her 9:45 AM appointment at Dr. Wilson’s office and got a grim diagnosis. She had Stage 4 brain cancer, also known as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) or a grade 4 astrocytoma. It is a fast-growing and aggressive brain tumor that can be fatal if left untreated!

Unconsciously, her right hand rushed to her chest, as her heart skipped a beat.

A knock on the door pulled Carlene back into the pain of her life.

“Come in,” Doctor Wilson said as the door opened.

Two females entered, as Carlene’s heartbeat rose and a familiar voice asked, “Is this the patient!”

Carlene’s body unconsciously swung around to see Shari Brooks!

She eased her head to the right and said, “Anna! Oh my God!” She reached over, knelt down, and hugged Carlene tightly.

Guilt held Carlene in place as her past rushed to the future.

Before she could respond, Dr. Wilson asked, “You know her?”

Easing from her embrace, smiling while staring at Carlene, Shari said, “She was my stepmother. I have been trying to find her for a long time.”

“Well, you found her the right time. This is one of the doctors who will be performing the surgery!” Dr. Wilson informs her.

Carlene forced a smile and listened as Dr. Wilson explained.

Since the cancer was aggressive, time wasn’t on her side. Plus, her insurance will cover the cost.

Carlene and Shari exchanged numbers as Doctor Wilson made arrangements for her operation. Brain surgeons Dr. Shari Brooks and Dr. Denice Francis will be operating. Someone will call her and give her the date and assist in preparation.

Shari hugged her again and promised, “As soon as I finish my rounds I will call you. We must have dinner, soon!”

Hurrying home, Carlene packed her bags and fled her apartment like an escaped convict!

If your heart could speak, what would it say?

Let Love be the only language of your Heart. Denying Hatred its start!

Thank you for reading this piece. I hope you enjoyed it.

Tha