FIONA

Chapter Six: The Darkness Of The Sky

Fiona helped Beverley up the stairs, and they walked into the living room. Beverley dabbed at her eyes with some tissues. Fiona put on the television, turning the station to PBS to watch Masterpiece Theater while she worked on her copy editing projects. Looking up at her sister from the sofa, she said, "Don't worry, Beverley. Everything will be alright. Can I get you anything?"

"I'm fine, thank you. Please don't treat me like an invalid. One of the reasons I didn't want to tell you anything is because I worried about not being treated like a normal person. Having cancer is one thing, but I'm still capable of achieving in life, in addition to working. I don't want you to wait on me hand and foot. If I want some water or a snack or anything, I'll get it myself. Cancer hasn't beaten me yet. I'm not going to let it conquer me," Beverley shrieked, smacking her hands against her legs.

"Okay. But remember one thing, Beverley. I care very much about you and what happens to you. I know you are capable of working. I never said you were an invalid. It's just that I've never dealt with anything like this before. I'm only trying to be helpful. All I want is to be a good sister to you. Do you object to that?" Fiona asked sullenly with her arms extended outward, and she turned palms upward.

"I know, but I want you to treat as if I didn't have cancer. Don't change for me. I want you to go on as if I didn't have cancer. Treat me like you always have been. Your behavior towards me should be no different than it was before you knew I have cancer. Understand? Is that too much to ask, Fiona?" Beverley cried, hyperventilating.

Fiona got up from the sofa, walked over to the loveseat to offer some comfort to Beverly who stuck a hand out. "Stop right there. I will not be coddled. I have always been a strong person. I want to remain strong. Don't ever weaken me. I will not be reduced down to a sniveling invalid. I don't think of myself that way, and I certainly don't want to be treated as such."

"It's only a natural reaction for me to want to help. I'd do so for anyone who was hurting inside. It hurts me to see you cry," Fiona cried, and she sought the comfort of her own tears.

"Cry for you, not for me," Beverley shrieked while waving her index finger at her.

"I'm going to cancel my date with Blaine. I'm sure he'll understand if I explain to him why," Fiona said while dabbing at her tears with some tissues.

"No," Beverley shrieked, "Don't you tell anyone about my cancer. It's none of their business. What I discussed with you is to remain between the two of us. I don't want you telling some stranger about my health condition. That's private. Private. Do you hear me?" while getting up from the loveseat, and opening the door to peer outside at the heavens up above, "The sky looks so beautiful tonight. There's a full moon shining down upon the earth, and the stars are twinkling so gracefully in the night."

"They always do. It's the Lord’s way of letting folks know he's watching over them," Fiona said while looking up from her computer, turning her head toward her sister, "Just the way I know he's watching over you. You're not an invalid. You are capable. More so than me, most of the time. I realize I can be such a witch when I get in my temperamental moody side, but it doesn't mean I don't care. I do care. I told you that earlier tonight, and I'm telling you again."

"I've always loved the sounds of the crickets at night. Ever since we were children, the musical interludes of the crickets have always been so peaceful, so soothing. They're so appealing to the senses," Beverley said while turning toward Fiona who typed away on the computer, "I've always enjoyed the quiet of the outdoors, at night."

"Me too. Actually, the night often inspires me with my writing. Everything in life inspires me to write. I love nature. That's why I wrote lots of haiku poetry throughout the years. It's the magnitude of nature keeping man still thriving internally and spiritually, as well as emotionally and psychologically. It does a lot of good for the psyche, too."

Beverley walked into the kitchen and gulped down some water. She ran her hand under the faucet and wet her face.

Fiona walked into the kitchen, grabbed the container of fat-free plain yogurt from the refrigerator, and ate from the container.

Beverley stood motionless, staring out the kitchen window, and absorbed the darkness of the sky.