Blessing? Or Bane

LOU

I pushed through the glass doors of the hospital just before the sun began to dip.

My grip tightened around the strap of my bag as I headed toward the elevators, knowing the exact floor to find her. Showing up here every day of my life for the past year, the steps had already been implanted in my head.

Third floor, room 312.

I stopped before her ward, squeezing the brown bag in my hand. It still felt unreal even after all this time had passed, it didn't feel like one whole year of struggling with her cancer.

I held the door handle, twisting it slowly before pushing it open, trying not to make a sound. I walked into the room and saw her fast asleep, her bible in hand. She must have waited so long for me to show up.

I slowly approached her, my lips curling into a smile. She looked peaceful in her sleep, almost as though she wasn't battling something this deadly.

I could still remember that very unfortunate day. One minute she was nagging me about eating properly, the next she was collapsing in the kitchen like someone had pulled the plug on her life. And now here we are machines breathing with her, for her, around her.

“Lou?” I turn at the sound of my name, blinking.

A nurse stood by the door a few, a clipboard tucked under her arm, her expression polite but purposeful.

“Yes?”

“Doctor Henshaw would like to see you now.”

My stomach dropped, knowing what he was going to remind me of.

“Thank you.” I breathed out, returning my gaze to my grandmother, I dropped her lunch by the table, and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

I exited her ward, heading to the doctor's office each step I took was heavier than the last. My mind was racing.

My thoughts spiralled, what if aside from my due payment, my grandmother's condition has worsened?

What if he tells me she's not going to make it?

No Lou, these are not the thoughts we need to dwell on. Positive thoughts, my Grandmother is getting better, she has to, soon I will be getting my pay, and I will have just enough to sort half her bills.

Arriving at the office, I knock once on the door before pushing it open.

“Come in.”

Doctor Henshaw was sitting behind his desk, glasses low on his nose as he flipped through a file. He looked up as I fully walked into the space. And for the first time in months, Dr Henshaw smiled in my presence.

“Lou. I am glad you are here. Please, have a seat.”

Slowly, I sat down, my hands twisting together in my lap.

“What’s going on?” I asked before I could stop myself. “Is my grandma okay? Has her condition worsened? Doctor, I am doing my best to raise the money for her surgery, just a few more weeks and…”

“Calm down, Lou,” he pressed, his smile widening, “You don't have to panic, your grandmother is going to be fine.” He relayed and I felt a tiny piece of the tension in my chest loosen.

My throat tightened, knowing he was referring to the surgery as an option for her to be well again. “ I know, but I don't have the money yet, I know I am delaying her surgery.”

He slides a stack of papers across the desk toward me. “Her Surgery has been scheduled, Lou.”

I blinked, gulping my spew,

“What?”

“The procedure we discussed,” he says calmly. “It’s been set for tomorrow morning.”

Tomorrow? Morning?

My brain lagged, trying to catch up.

“That’s…that’s not possible,” I said, shaking my head. “We…we haven’t even, I haven’t paid anything yet. I told you I needed time. I’m still trying to…”

“Lou.”

His voice cuts gently through my panic.“The financial aspect has been taken care of.”

I freeze.

“…What?”

He nodded toward the papers. “Your grandmother’s surgery, along with her hospital bills, has been fully covered.”

I stared at him like he was speaking another language.

“Covered… by who?”

He leans back slightly, folding his hands.

“We had a benefactor come forward this morning. Anonymous. They cleared the outstanding bills for twenty patients in the hospital.”

“And… my grandma happened to be one of them?” I whispered, still in shock.

“Yes.”

The room went quiet, too quiet. My heart pounded again, but this time it was different.

It was Hope.

“Are you serious?” I breathed out.

“I assure you, this is very real,” he responded, “Which is why we have moved quickly, scheduling her surgery while her condition is stable enough.”

My vision blurred, and I didn't realize I was crying until I felt the liquid slip down my face.

“Oh my God,” I whisper, pressing a hand over my mouth. “Oh my God…”

I laughed, but it came out in broken sobs.

I still couldn't believe it, me, being a part of a miracle. I had never believed in miracles, but here I was, basking in one.

“Lou,” the doctor says gently, sliding a pen toward me. “We will need your consent to proceed.”

I nodded quickly, wiping at my face with the back of my hand.

“Yes. Yes, of course.”

My fingers shook as I picked up the pen, reading through the files as quickly as I could. One thought kept popping into my head.

*She has a chance.*

*My grandma has a chance.*

I signed my name anyway on the required spot,once done, I returned it to Dr Henshaw, who smiled and nodded in approval.

“Thank you,” I said, my heart filled with gratitude, “Could I please get a name behind who did this,I promise I just want to send my thanks.

“You shouldn't worry about that Lou, just focus on your grandmother. Everything else will fall in place,” he replied and I simply nodded, knowing I couldn't push my luck.

******************

I didn't realize how much time had passed until my phone began buzzing in my bag, pulling me out of my sleep.

I pulled it out, blinking at the screen. My eyes widened.

Work!

It was already 6pm, and I needed to be at the club before 7pm. Knowing Jaxon is my boss I can't afford to do anything that would give him more access to me.

I glanced at my grandma who was still in a deep sleep, I kissed her hand and whispered “I have to go,” while brushing a strand of gray hair from her forehead. “But I will be back. I promise. I will be here for your surgery.”

I pressed a quick kiss to her temple before standing, I rushed off, taking a can straight to the club.

On getting there, I slipped through the back entrance, already tying my hair up as I headed toward the dressing room.

“Lou!”

I barely had the time to drop my bag when someone grabbed my arm.

It was Vito, the club manager.

“Where the hell have you been? Mr Ryder has been asking for you since he arrived.”

My stomach sank, irritation crawling up my skin. “I was busy at the hospital,” I mutter.

“He’s not in a good mood,” Vito replied. “I just hope you didn't do something to piss him off, or you might just be losing this job.”

I fought the urge to roll my eyes, knowing Jaxon is pissed because I told him about my boyfriend.

Exhaling slowly, I squared my shoulders. “I will see him now,” I replied, only to put Vito at ease.

The man breathed a sigh of relief and walked away, while I remained there for a brief second, bracing myself to see him again.

Getting to his office, I knocked once before hearing his stupid voice say, “Come in.”

I strode into the room, keeping my face as rigid as possible. “You wanted to see me?” I said, folding my arms.

Jaxon smiled, a sinister look that sent chills down my spine.

“Yes, there's been a change in your contract.” He said, tapping a brown file on the desk.

I raised my brow, asking, “What change?”

“You will no longer be a stripper at my club…” he said and my heart dropped to the depths of my stomach.

“What?”

He smiled, “Yes…because you are now my personal stripper.” He added, and my mind went blank.