CHAPTER TWO
“I was at the hospital with Tia yesterday,” Kerry said at last. “I spoke with Dr. Arun.”
“And?” Simone prompted.
“Dr. Arun said that there's a new cancer drug available. He said that the drug has been tested and the results were very promising. According to him, eight out of ten cancer patients have been completely cured by this new drug.”
“Eight out of ten?” Simone gasped. “That's like eighty per cent!”
Kerry nodded rapidly. “Yes. That's the highest percentage I've heard in a long time.”
“It's like a miracle drug!” Simone breathed. “How...”
“They inject a small, concentrated dose of the drug into the patient every week,” Kerry went on. “Dr. Arun said that it normally takes about ten injections before any results can be seen. If the results are positive, they will follow up with one injection a month until they are sure the cancer is gone.”
“Oh my God!” Simone squealed, hugging her. “This is fantastic news! Tia is going to get well!”
Simone frowned when Kerry didn't respond. “What is it? Why aren't you excited about this?” she asked, peering curiously at Kerry.
Kerry made a strangled sound and whispered, “The drug...one dose costs ten thousand dollars.”
“Ten grand a dose?” Simone spluttered. “And she needs at least ten doses, right? That's...”
“...one hundred thousand dollars,” Kerry finished flatly. “It's an optional, alternative treatment, and Dr. Arun told me that some patients do choose to continue with their chemotherapy instead of opting for this new drug.”
“But...but...”
“I know. Eighty per cent!” Kerry's eyes shone as she grasped her friend's hand. “I'm going to make sure that Tia gets the drug!”
“Kerry,” Simone began.
But Kerry wasn't listening. She had ignored Tia's objections at the hospital and she wasn't in the mood to listen to anyone telling her that she couldn't afford this treatment for her sister.
She had quarreled with Tia again this morning, and her sister's words still echoed in her mind.
“You're already taking on extra shifts at the restaurant, and you work every single weekend, Kerry. You're twenty-five, you should be having fun, going out with your friends, going on hot dates. Instead, you work, and you work some more. Then you come home and take care of me. You don't go out, you don't buy anything nice for yourself. I know how much you've done for me. But there is no way we can pay for this treatment. The chemo is working fine. I'll get well. I promise you, Kerry. I promise!”
Kerry had made a promise to Tia as well. “I promise you too, Tia.”
“Promise what?” Tia had asked in confusion.
“I promise that you'll get well.”
She never, ever broke a promise to her little sister.
Kerry narrowed her eyes when she saw Simone rubbing her chin. It was a sign that her friend had something to say but didn't know how to say it.
“Spit it out,” she ordered. “Just speak your mind. Unless you're going to tell me to drop the idea.”
Before Simone could say anything, Kerry snapped angrily, “I don't want to hear you, or anyone else, tell me that I can't afford this new drug for Tia. Tia promised me that she'll get well, and I am going to hold her to her promise. I may have to work two or three other jobs, but I will make damn sure I get the money!”