"Brian! I'm-I'm-"
"Wait, Mariah," interrupted Brian, then rushed on,
"before you say anything. I just wanted to explain why I left you the way
I did. I had to leave, I had to go back to my job, and everyone was counting on
me. I felt so bad for leaving the way I did. I wanted to know that you were all
right, so I came back. I feel so bad. I hope you're not mad at me."
Mariah stayed silent, then said, "You know what, Brian? I am,
I can't believe you did that to me. I was counting on you to be there for me
and all you did was leave me when I needed you most!"
Brian just looked to the ground. He expected that this would
happen, but he just didn't know how to explain to her why he needed to leave.
He started to think himself if it was a good reason to leave a good friend when
they needed you.
"Look Mariah, I'm really sorry," apologized Brian,
"I just couldn't let everyone down, they were counting on me to return to
the tour and..." Brian looked up at that moment and saw a faint smile on
Mariah's face.
"What?" asked Brian. "Do I have something on my
face, in my teeth, what?" He started to feel on his face to see if there
was anything that would make Mariah laugh.
"Brian, I was joking, I'm not mad at you!"
"What? You're not mad?"
"Of course not! Why should I be? I mean you have your own
life, it's not like your life revolves around mine or anything. I'm just really
surprised that you're actually here. I thought I'd never see you again."
There was a hint of sadness in her voice.
Brian walked over to Mariah and gave her a big hug.
"I'm so glad you're not mad at me!" said Brian. "I
was so worried about you!"
"Well, I'm glad that you're here, and I'm perfectly fine. You
don't need to be worried. Actually, I have some really good news!"
"What is it?" asked Brian curiously.
"Well, I was just downstairs for my chemotherapy session, and
the doctor told me that I'm in remission!"
"Mariah! That's incredible news! I can't believe it!"
Brian enveloped her with his arms and held her.
"I know, I can't believe it either. That's why I'm not too
sick right now, my chemo wasn't too heavy. I'm being discharged next
week," Mariah was smiling from ear to ear, "and my hair's starting to
grow back! Can this day get any better?"
"I guess not!" said Brian. He was smiling like a goof.
Brian led Mariah to the window to sit down on the window seat.
They began to chat and laugh like old times. Mariah missed it so much. She
couldn't describe the joy that she was feeling inside.
Brian told her all about the other guys, the tour, anything he
could think of. He told her all about his childhood and why he was in the
hospital. Oddly enough, he had never told her the real reason as to why he was
in the hospital in the first place, but now, he told her everything.
Mariah, who sat and listened, thought about how Brian was such a
star overseas and yet no one knew him here. She listened intently to Brian,
taking in every word. When he told her of his childhood, her heart went out to
him. Mariah knew all about how he felt, alone and afraid. She had been there
too. The twosome shared something that no one will ever be able to understand,
and no one will be able to break that bond.
"Mariah," said Brian. "I have a question."
"Shoot," replied Mariah.
"Well," started Brian. "I was wondering, if you'd
like to meet the other guys. I've talked so much about you, and I'm sure they'd
like to meet you."
"That sounds great," Mariah replied, "but aren't
you on tour?"
"Well, yeah, but you could join us for a little while."
Mariah thought about it, hesitated, and said, "Well, I'll
have to think about it, I mean, I just got into remission and everything."
"Sure, take all the time you need." said Brian with a
smile.
Just then, Stella walked into the room. She was crying.
"Mariah! Oh Mariah, something's wrong with Selwyn!"