Sweden

Molly

“Where have you been?” My mom asks as she sees me with tears streaming down her face.  I sigh, walking slowly into the room, my eyes falling on Olivia.

“I’m sorry,” I say, my eyes meeting hers, “Are there any updates?”

I watch as she shakes her head, “No, your father is getting coffee…. The doctor is waiting on her blood work,” she pauses, trying to hold back sobs. “She coded, Molly. They had to bring her back….. she coded,” she says again and I hold her close, letting her cry as I do the same.

My little sister is on the brink of death now and I don’t know what to.

“Here, I got you both lattes,” my father says, handing me and my mother both a coffee cup. “I’m glad you came, Molly,” he says, his words filled with sadness.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t answer your call right away, I was at a job interview for a bar,” I begin, but the doctor walks into the room and we all stand up with anticipation, waiting to hear the news.

“Mr. and Mrs. Hale,” he smiles faintly before looking at me, “And Molly,” he pats my shoulder. “I have good news,” he pauses and bad news.”

I watch as my mother and father hold hands and he continues, “Molly is not septic, but she does have an infection,” My mother’s eyes widen, “But we caught it early… we started the antibiotics, right away and she’s already responding. I expect a full recovery from the infection.”

My mother nods as she smiles faintly looking at me, but that’s not the end, “And the bad news?” My father asks.

The doctor sighs, looking at my mom and dad, the doom written all over his face, “This means we cannot continue the chemo,” he sighs. “Molly isn’t responding to it and its not good for her to do any more of this type of treatment… it’s just not working.”

My mother gasps, tears filling her eyes, “So, what? We just give up?” My father asks, anger coating his words, but the doctor quickly shakes his head.

“No, there is another option,” he says quickly.

“Continue,” My mother says, grabbing my hand now.

“There is an new experimental treatment that has had a lot of success,” he pauses, “In Sweden.”

“Sweden?” My father gasps and the doctor nods.

“Yes, but its new and not licensed for the states as of yet, but it has cured many children.”

I watch hope refill in my mother eyes, but my father is more skeptical, “What’s the cost?” he asks, looking at Olivia and then back at the doctor.

I watch as the doctor takes a deep breath, “This is where things get tricky,” he explains. “The hospital is sponsoring a program to get it licensed here in the states so you would have room and board in the hospital in Sweden, but you would need to pay for the treatment itself.”

“And what does that cost?”

“It’s $150,000,” the doctor sighs and I watch as my father finally loses it, sobbing as he holds my mother.

They think they can’t afford this… but I will have a good portion of the money by tonight…. We can do this.

I look at the doctor walking closer to the door and he follows me, “When do we need the money by?” I ask and he stares at me in confusion. “When?” I ask again and he looks at Olivia.

“If you could get that amount of money, we would need to wait until Olivia responds to the antibiotics and is well enough to travel… I would say in a week or two.”

I sigh in relief; I have 130,000 of if it almost made… we can start an online fundraiser and get the rest.

“Sign her up,” I whisper. “Don’t tell my family yet. And when you do, it’ll be from an anonymous donor.”

“Molly,” he sighs, “I don’t know what you have planned, but be careful.”

I smile faintly, “I will be… trust me…Olivia needs this,” I tell him. “I can raise the money.”

He nods as he looks at my family, “Okay,” he whispers. “I’ll sign her up.”

I watch as he leaves the room and I go sit on the bed next to Olivia, “It’s going to be okay,” I tell my mom and dad. “Have faith.” They both hug me, and I sigh, hugging them back.

I love my family so much. We have always been close knit. These last few months have been hell. I refuse to give up on Olivia. If she still wants to fight, I’ll never give up.

“You should go home, honey,” my mom tells me, but I shake my head, laying next to Olivia.

“No, I want to stay with her,” I whisper, moving her hair from her face. I watch her sleep, until I can no longer keep my eyes open and then I drift to sleep too.

“Molly, wake up,” My mother says softly, and I open my eyes to find her standing over me.  “It’s already two pm.” She tells me.

I look at my watch and then gasp when I realize I’m alone in bed, “No, it’s okay. They are running tests on Olivia,” my mother tells me, and I sigh in relief. “You need to go home and shower,” she tells me. “Don’t you have a shift tonight?”

I do, but it’s not the one she thinks.

“Yes,” I say, getting out of bed.  “Tell Liv I love her and will see her tomorrow,” I say before I hug my father and mother goodbye and walk out  of the hospital, calling Eden.

“There you are, is everything ok?” she asks and I smile—because it really is…. I will have most of the money by tonight to cover Olivia’s treatment…. I will lose my virginity but I will gain her life back.

“Yes, Eds, she’s going to be okay,” I say, wiping a tear from my eye.

“That’s so good to hear, Molly,” Eddy’s voice says and I smirk, shaking my head. These two hanging out is a bit surprising.

“Really? Eds?” and she laughs, “I have so much to tell you. Do you need a ride home?”

I nod, scanning the parking lot, “Yes, please… you know since you have my car,” I begin, but a woman dressed fancy approaches me.

“Are you Molly Hale?” she asks and I pause, looking her over.

“Yes?” I answer, confused.

“I am Patty Whitfield. Mr. Mosey has sent me for you.”

I stare at her for a moment, “Eden, ask Eddy if he knows a Patty Whitfield,” I pause. “And ask if I should go.”

“Yes, he does and yes.” She says. “Wait, what?”

“Never mind. I don’t need a ride. I’ll call you back,” I tell her. “Don’t worry, everything is fine.”

I hang up the phone, and Patty smiles, “Mr. Mosey wants me to take you to get your hair and makeup done and go shopping for an outfit for tonight.”

“I thought you were meeting me at my house?” I question but she shakes her head. “Plans have changed,” she says. “He needs you to look extra good so I’m pulling out all the stops.”

Extra good?

A black car pulls around to the hospital entrance where we are standing and she opens the door, climbing in. I look back at the hospital one more time and then scoot in too

But what stops is she talking about?