chapter six

I opened my eyes and I could see Ken sleeping on a chair not far from me. What happened? Where am I?

I was wearing a green uniform which looked disgusting and I was still thinking what was I doing in a shabby room and in a green uniform. Something was not right. I searched frantically for clues in the room and found tissues with something written on it. I grabbed the tissues on the table and read the prints on them.

“St. Michelle’s…Hospital.” I read quietly.

Wait! Did I just say hospital? As in the building which has dying people in it? I unfolded the tissues and read the prints again. This time, I spelled them, alphabet by alphabet.

“H-O-S-P-I-T-A-L. Hospital.” Oh my god, I am in a hospital.

“Ken, wake up. Am I diagnosed with a breast cancer stage 4?  I knew it. There were lumps on my boobs 2 days ago and my left breast was bigger at that time and I put some tissues to cover it and you knew it was bigger. I swear to you I have never done a boob job and I wear the breast firming lotion every morning though the cream is ginger-scented. Maybe, it was the cream which caused my breast to form cancer cells because it had ginger in it. I hate gingers!” I wailed hysterically. Tears were gushing out of my eyes.

I sobbed like a girl who lost her Barbie and I was waiting for Ken to respond.

No response. Silence.

I looked at Ken. Shit. He was snoring. I was talking alone. I was ready to wail even more to create more dramatic effects and I wanted to know so badly. So, I was at the highest pitch.

“Ken, wake up. Am I diagnosed with a breast cancer stage 4?  I knew it. There were lumps on my boobs 2 days ago and my left breast was bigger at that time and I put some tissues to cover it and you knew it was bigger. I swear to you I have never done a boob job and I wear the breast firming lotion every morning though the cream is ginger-scented. Maybe, it was the cream which caused my breast to form cancer cells because it had ginger in it. I hate gingers!” I repeated everything again and I felt it was exactly the same with the previous wailing. I swear there was no prompter.

“Darling, thank God you woke up. Ah, don’t cry honey. It is all going to be fine.” Ken stood up and started to comfort me.

His face looked terrible, maybe because he did not have enough rest. He walked and stood beside me and he wiped my tears.

“Ken, am I diagnosed with cancer stage 4? I knew it. There were lumps…” I swear again there was no prompter. Ken stopped me.

“Honey, no, you are not diagnosed with cancer. You fainted in the acupuncture centre. Remember?” he explained with his hands stroking my hair.

I fainted? Oh, now I remember Nicole Richie tried to kill me. I mean, tried to locate a needle on my forehead. I was trying to recall what happened but I could not.

“Mallory, it is okay. Do not force yourself if you could not recall.” He said. How did he know I had difficulties remembering the incident? Is Ken a psychic? Or maybe, the difficulties were translated at my face.

“Anyway, I have called your mom and Sandra. I told them you are in the hospital.” He continued.

“No, you didn’t. You are just joking. You did not call my mom. How do you know her number? Where is she now? If she is coming, can you book me a flight to Afghanistan today?” That was the last news I want to hear before I die. I did not mind Sandy but my mom?

My mom lives in Utah. Yes, I know. UTAH. She is professional at nagging and she had a bad taste in fashion. The problem with my mom is she would tell everything about me to my friends. And that includes I was a lesbian when I was in high school, I peed on my skirt on stage while performing a theatre and my mom caught me bringing cucumbers to my room (you know, for personal use). She knew everything about me and I was not ready to see my mom bonding with Ken. It was too early for him to meet my mom and for him to know all my dirty secrets.  Do not get me wrong, I love my mom but she should be barred from seeing my friends.

“Mallory, you fainted and of course your mom needs to know about this. She should be the first to be buzzed.”

“Ken, where did you get her number? And I am telling you, I am not ready to face my mom.” I sighed.

“Honey, I scrolled through your phone and there is nothing much you can do. She said she was in Las Vegas and she would move right away with Brendon.” He added.

“What the hell is my mother doing in Las Vegas? And who the fuck is Brendon?” I was pissed. I hoped my mom was not there as a stripper or an escort. And I would kill this Brendon by bashing him with my red clutch if he is behind this. I mean, my mom was supposed to be knitting sweaters in Utah, and suddenly she was in Las Vegas? I was not even informed about this. Now, I felt the urge to see her.

“Mallory, I thought Brendon is your father. She put it in a way that they are together. I thought your sister lives there?” He looked like a confused kid.

“Ken, my father had passed away 10 years ago. Yes, my sister lives there with her husband.” Clearly, Ken did not know much about me and I could not blame him.

“I am sorry honey. I did not know. Maybe she was just visiting your sister with her friend. Or possibly a boyfriend.” He added.

“ Whatever. What about Sandra?” I needed Sandra more than anything for time being.

“She is in Canada now. She said she could not be here since she is staying there for a few months.” He clarified.

“What? What is she doing in Canada? And I am not informed? Oh my God, you are killing me so softly.” I was in an endless maze, trying to figure out what actually happened.

“Honestly, I have no idea. She said she was in a hurry and she asked you to call her once you are okay.” He said. He pat my shoulders a few times.

I was speechless. Instead of Sandra visiting me, I will have my mom. Wow. I felt raped by dozens of men. My hands reached for his as I was sad. He hugged me ever so tightly, planted a kiss on my cheek and comforted me, telling me that everything would be just fine. I could not thank him more.

“Dolce, why don’t you go home and clean up? Have some rest. You look terrible.” I suggested.

“No, it is okay. I wanna be here with my Gabbana.” He affirmed, hugging me again.

“Ken, I am going to be okay. Trust me. Just go home, rest and come visit me tonight.”I smiled. I wanted him to rest

“I don’t think I want to. My apartment is far from here. I’d rather stay here and rest here. Don’t you worry about me sweetheart.” He said.

“Ken, I insist. Take my apartment keys. Take a cab, go to my apartment and rest. You cannot sleep on a freaking chair honey. It hurts. And you better sleep because you look like frozen pies right now.”

“Okay, but I will be back at 6. I promise. If you need anything, just ring me okay? So, do you need anything from your house for me to bring later? Your Ipod or your books?” he asked me.

“My five inch Nine West. That’s all.”