DETECTIVE SANDERS' SURROGATE

CHAPTER 2

February 2016.

LANA'S POV

"Welcome to Betty's diner, Madam. What would you like to order for?" I asked the pretty, but stern looking middle aged woman and braced myself to receive every rude comment she probably had to make. I had come across customers like that a little more than many times. They always made me wonder if some people were naturally created rude and cranky.

"Oh well!" She looked up at me with a smile and I was suprised, to say the least. The sweet tone of her voice greatly contrasted her stern look. "Chicken and fries would do, sweetie." She said and I nodded vigorously, before leaving and getting to work.

"Barbara, a plate of chicken and fries for table 018 please." I informed the diner's manager; Barbara. The woman was such a sweet soul. On days like this when the restaurant was full and busy, she'd insist on helping out anyway she could.

"On it, honey!" She yelled her response, and I left to go receive the orders of more people who were strolling into the diner. When I had returned with another order, the tray of food sat on the counter, waiting for me to serve it to its buyer.

"Barbara, two plates of hamburgers and steak for table 010."

"On it!" She replied as I picked up the tray of fries and made my way to the woman's table. She flashed me a sweet smile in appreciation, before concentrating on the meal in front of her. Just as I was about to take the tray containing the second order, my phone beeped inside the back pocket of my jean. I had wanted to ignore it but decided otherwise. It was probably about school. I pulled the phone out of my pocket and frowned at seeing the caller's ID. Why was Dr. Presley calling me at such a time? I felt my heartbeat accelerate in fear of the unknown, as I slide up the 'answer' icon on my screen.

"Hello?" I rushed out.

"Hello Lana, things are bad here." He rushed out between pants from the other side of the line.

"Wh..what is the matter?" I stuttered. I honestly couldn't help it.

"Maisie had another breakdown and it's much serious this time. Please come over to the hospital, we need to talk."

"O...o..okay! I w..would be there right away." I choked out as I fought to keep the tears at bay. Why was this happening to me? Why was my life full of so much problems?

"Lana! Is everything okay?" I heard Barbara ask, and all I could do in response, was sigh. "Talk to me, honey. What was that call about?" Knowing Barbara, she would keep asking me about it until I eventually opened up.

"It's Maisie's Doctor. She had another breakdown just this evening and Doctor Presley says it's really serious."

"Oh my!!" She covered her mouth with both hands. "I'm so sorry baby." She walked out of the counter corner, and made her way to me. "You should go to the hospital."

"But..."

"No 'buts' Lana. Maisie needs you, and you should be least bothered about the diner. Charlie, Stephanie, and I can manage for the next few days."

"I would be gone for only tonight, I promise. Thank you!" I managed between sobs, as I loosened the apron I wore around my waist. I walked into the changing room and changed out of my work clothes, before grabbing my bag and making my way out of the diner.

As I walked through the doors, the thought of the pain Maisie was probably going through made more tears fall from my eyes. My poor little sister. Just as I was walking towards the road, someone called my attention.

"Excuse me!" I turned to locate the familiar voice and I saw the pretty but stern looking woman from the diner. What was she doing out here? She was still supposed to be eating, considering the amount of food I had served her.

"Good...." I was still about saying my greetings when she cut me off.

"You are crying. Are you okay?"

"Yes.... no... yes." I really wasn't sure which was the answer to her question.

"I think I would take 'no' as my answer. Why are you leaving so suddenly? Your shift is yet to be over, I'm sure."

"I... I just got a call. I need to be at the hospital. I also thought you should be inside, eating the meal you ordered."

"I'm really sorry for whatever the news that makes you cry so much. Luckily, I'm also heading to the hospital. You care for a ride?" Without thinking twice, I hopped into her car and she zoomed off. The drive was a silent one, except for my quiet sobs and sniffles. I honestly appreciated the fact that she had shared her condolences, without trying to enquire about the actual reason as to why I had been crying. I was still cleaning my eyes when she gasped. "Oh my! How could I have forgotten something as important as that?" She scolded herself for reasons I knew not about. "Sorry, which hospital in particular are you headed?"

Oh! that was true. I looked at the familiar road and sighed in relief. "It's same one you're already headed."

"Metropolitan?"

"Yes." I nodded and she increased the speed of her car, taking us to our desired destination even faster. When we got to the car lot, she parked her car after which I alighted and showed my appreciation.

"Oh, it's nothing dear. I wish you the best." She nodded encouragingly, before going into the hospital ahead of me. With a long sigh, I weakly made my way to Doctor Presley's office. After three knocks on his door, I let myself in, only to meet an empty office.

I contemplated between patiently waiting for him in his office, or going to see my sister. I decided on the latter and just as I was about to open the door and walk out, the door opened and Doctor Presley strolled in.

"Lana! I had no you had come. I was with another patient but thankfully, his mother just showed up."

"How is my sister?" I asked impatiently, and he took his sweet time to sit down.

"Thankfully, she's stable now. But I must say, this is the worst breakdown she has had since being admitted here. Lana, your sister needs to undergo her first chemotherapy course, and I'm afraid she needs it as quickly as possible. We are losing her." He whispered the last part.

"What do you mean by 'we are losing her'? Please what does that mean?" Fresh set of tears made their way down my cheeks as I queried the man.

"I hate to say, but Maisie's health is detororiating really fast, the cancer cells keeps multiplying with every day that passes. At this rate, she may....."

"That's okay." I cut in, not wanting to hear more about the hopeless situation I had found myself in. Maisie was the only surviving family I had and I couldn't afford to lose her now. "Isn't there some kind of drug that could suppress it for the mean time? Until I can gather up the money atleast. Please doctor, Maisie is all I've got and I can't afford to lose her. Please!!" I cried harder.

"Lana... You know if there was anyway I could help, I would have done that long ago. It's beyond me now, my dear." He sighed deeply. "You should go see how she's doing in her room." He suggested, and I sprang up immediately. I needed to see my sister for myself. I rushed out of the doctor's office and made my way to her room.

Initially, my plan had been to give her a tight hug when I got to her room, but when I saw her frail state, I halted my steps at the foot of her bed. I silently cried as I couldn't believe how bad things had gotten within a year. It had all started with unexplainable fevers and unintended weight loss. If only I hadn't thought it was a prolonged symptom of flu and had taken her to the hospital immediately.

"Lana." That was Doctor Presley's voice. Had he followed me to Maisie's room? "I know what is going through your mind at the moment. It's no time for regrets. Come." He gently pulled me out of Maisie's room, in order not to wake her up. We both walked back to his office and he asked me to get seated after him.

"Nobody plans for these things Lana, it's just so sad that it had to be Maisie. You shouldn't spend your time thinking about how it would have all turned out if you had taken it more seriously. Now is the time to think of a way to raise the money. I have a little amount to contribute, but it isn't even enough for a first course. Maisie needs like 6 chemotherapy courses to get better." The moment he had made mention of contributing, I lost the other things he had said. Honestly, Doctor Presley had done more than I could ask for this past year, and I was gonna be forever indebted to him. Everyone knows that the kind of job I do isn't enough to secure Maisie a permanent bed space in the hospital. For a whole year, Maisie had been on admission and Doctor Presley had handled most of the charges, while I paid the little I could afford to pay.

Whenever I got my salary, it always got consumed by either contributions to pay for Maisie's drugs, or paying one fee or the other at college. It was my final year and I was trying my best to finish well and get good grades that could secure me a decent job. At this rate, I don't know how possible finishing with an excellent result was. I practically spent most of my day working, as I had began working two shifts at the diner. All this was with the aim to raise as much money as I could for Maisie's chemotherapy course, but it felt like I was making no effort. I had lost so much weight in the past months, one would think I was on a weight loss journey of some sort. Nobody would know that it was as a result of reducing how much I ate, just so I could save up more money. I looked at the man who had been my saviour for a while and showed my appreciation.

"Thank you so much. I can't thank you enough for all you've done for me. I'm very sure you don't do this for every patient who walks in here, you would have been bankrupt by now. But then, thank you for choosing to show me such support. It has gone a long way in sustaining Maisie this past year. God bless you."

"You are very much welcomed Lana. I would also try to see if I could get any job vacancies with a better pay for you. That was something I should have thought of long ago."

"Thank you." I muttered, hoping he understood how grateful I really was. We talked for a while before he excused himself to go attend to other things.

I lingered at the Maisie's room for a while, before finally making my way back home. atleast I had a home and it was all thanks to my mom. She left something useful to me after all. I didn't have to struggle with paying rents alongside all I had to deal with. I wondered how she was faring, but decided not to think much of her. Maisie's condition was making me go crazy already, I didn't want to add to it. With a loud sigh, I slumped onto the couch in the living room and before I could tell what time of the day it was, sleep took over.

I woke up with a great urge to puke. What was it? I hadn't even eaten anything the whole of yesterday, so what exactly was I puking? I felt so weak after throwing up my intestines. Putting my hand over my forehead, I checked my temperature and it wasn't impressive. God! Had I neglected myself so much in the past months that I had also gotten cancer? I managed to get myself to my room and laid on the bed, hoping I would feel much better to go get some drugs for myself at the pharmacy which was just close by. After what felt like hours, I wasn't feeling any better and was forced to call Stephanie. She was the only friend I had and thankfully, I was sure she wasn't on shift today.

"Hey Steph." I croaked out.

"Lana! Why haven't you replied my calls and texts? I've been so worried since you left the diner in such a hurry last night."

"Ohh.. I had no idea you called. So sorry." I managed to say, as I struggled to breathe. I honestly had no idea she had called or texted. My phone had been in my bag all day and I hadn't gotten any opportunity to go through it.

"It's okay. Why do you sound this way though? Is everything okay? Lana are you fine?" Typical Stephanie. She was always so observant and worried about the littlest things.

"I'm fine, Steph. I just have a mild fever. Can you get me some drugs from the pharmacy?"

"Oh my! Lana you're sick? I'm coming right away, just hang in there. How do you feel?" She asked, probably trying to get as much information to supply the pharmacist, who would in turn prescribe some drugs. At this point, we couldn't afford to waste money and time, buying the wrong drugs.

I filled her on the details of how I felt and within record time, she was knocking on the door of my house. I managed to get off the bed with a pounding head and made for the door. I quickly opened the door and turned to head back to the bed, not bothering to spare a glance at her. My body needed that bed the most, more than any other thing.

"Oh sweetie! See how pale you look." I turned back to see the diner's manager.

"Barbara?" I shivered, but continued to my room where I quickly laid on the bed. I had no idea Stephanie was gonna bring her along. "You came?" I muttered.

"Yes, I did. Steph was still at the diner when you called. She had covered for your shift in your absence, and was about leaving when your call came through. Knowing you, we knew you weren't letting on as you should. We were right after all. You're burning up!" Barbara exclaimed as she felt my body temperature. "I brought you some soup, I'm sure you don't have any cooked food." Cooked food? She should have asked if I even had the raw ones.

"Thank you." I croaked out and she shook her head, putting her hands up in disapproval. "Don't stress yourself by talking, okay? I know you are thankful even if you can't say it. Stephanie was so worried about you the whole ride here. She got you some meds from the pharmacy like you asked for, but you have to eat first." I nodded in understanding and they pulled me up, in a way my back rested on the wall behind me. "Here, have some soup." Barbara handed over the flask of soup to me and I collected it with shaky hands.

"Don't worry, you'd be fine." Stephanie encouraged. "I would have loved to ask how Maise was faring, but at a much better time. For now, just eat, take your meds, and rest." She gently patted my arm.

"Hmm." I nodded in understanding. I forced myself to finish the soup as I honestly couldn't afford staying ill for too long. I had to be up and about, trying to make as much money as I could for Maisie. I quickly gulped down the bitter tasting medicines and rinsed my mouth with the water.

"Rest. I have to leave now, but I would return to check on you later in the night. For now, Stephanie would remain here to take care of you. Be good." Barbara said, bending slightly to give me a kiss on my cheek, before heading out.

Stephanie remained silent the rest of the time, probably wanting me to sleep off. Just as she wanted, I slowly felt my eyes droop as I eventually succumbed to the slumber. When I opened my eyes again, it was so late in the night. How long exactly had I slept?

"13 hours! Girl, you must have gone to heaven and right back." Stephanie chuckled from beside me. I looked at her weakly, and even though I wanted to ask if she stayed beside me, looking after me all day, something more important disturbed me.

"The Doctor says Maisie's condition has gotten so worse and...." I couldn't continue talking as painful tears stung my eyes, making it difficult for me to see or say anything. I could feel the food in my mouth suddenly become tasteless, so I swallowed it quickly. I felt Steph's arms around me, pulling me into her warm embrace.

"Shhhhh... I know. I know what you want to say. It would all be fine with time." She patted my back gently and pecked me on the lips. No! we are nothing like that. Stephanie wasn't a lesbian, neither was she bisexual. I guess we were both okay with showing affection that way, because we were honestly more like sisters, and that was definitely something I could do with Maisie. I couldn't bring myself to continue eating, so she took the tray of food away and returned later. She laid down beside me, pulling my body to hers for a cuddle. I don't know how long we stayed in that position before we both slept off.

I opened my eyes the next morning, expecting to see Stephanie by my side, but she was gone. I quickly walked out of my room and scanned the whole area, but saw no sign of her. It was when I returned to my room that I remembered she was covering a shift for me at work. I quickly picked my phone from the bed and put a call across.

"Really? Is this a one night stand or what?" I joked and she laughed loudly at the other end of the line.

"I can't believe you right now. I have a boyfriend, I would never cheat on him, he deserves the world."

"Oh yes, he does." I smiled at the thought of Derek. He had been so supportive of Stephanie since her parents had died.

"I left a message for you at the drawer. Have you seen it?"

"Seen what?" I asked, making my way to the drawer. Just on top of it, I saw two bundles of dollars notes. Goodness!

"Steph?" I whispered, filled with so much emotions.

"Don't cry now. I have been saving up for the past six months. A bundle comes from me, and the other comes from Derek. I really want to support you through it all, girl."

"Thank you." I choked out.

"No tears, I said!" She cried out in a warning tone and I laughed in between sniffles.

"Really Steph, thank you so much."

"Alright girl! I have to go now, the diner is so busy this morning."

"Oh? okay." I nodded like she could see me, and hung up the call. I was still deep in my emotions when another call came through. I looked to see it was Dr. Presley and my heartbeat increased.

"Hello?" I rushed out, and he sighed into the call.

"Calm down, Lana. There isn't a problem."

"Really?" I let out a breathe of relief.

"Yes. Infact, I'm calling because I have an unusual opportunity for you. It's a job that could fetch you the complete money you need for all of Maisie's chemotherapy." My breathe hitched in my throat at hearing him say that.

"Dr. Presley, I can never push drugs." I rushed out, and he laughed.

"You think I'm capable of such?" He asked, and I shook my head in disagreement, before realizing he couldn't see me.

"No, no, no! Not at all. I just.... I..."

"You can't comprehend the kind of job that would pay you such amount of money?"

"Exactly."

"Well, in all honesty, you may not see it as a decent job, but I like to see it as charity because I don't believe the service you would render can be equated to any amount of money."

"Am I giving my life?" I asked in confusion.

"Not at all Lana."

"Then what exactly is this job about?"

"You are needed to help carry someone's child."

"Are you being serious right now?" I chuckled in relief. "You should have just said it was a nanny job. What was it with all the..."

"You're not being a nanny, Lana. You.. you.. are needed as a surrogate." Doctor Presley said and I really felt my head do that 360 spin. What the hell?