On the Victory Trail by Marsha Hubler Page A

pull?”
    â€œI assure you, it’s true,” Mrs. Chambers answered. “I know this is a shock.”
    â€œNow wait a minute. You’re telling me my kid has a brain tumor? Does that mean an operation?” Mrs. ­Bodmer asked.
    â€œNo. Surgery isn’t an option because of the location of the tumor. Next week the doctors want to run another series of tests, and if the results are the same, Sooze will need to begin chemotherapy and then radiation. The doctors would like you to come in with us at that time, so they can go over the test results with all of us.”
    â€œWell, how much is that going to cost me?” Mrs. Bodmer scowled. “I don’t have any insurance, you know. And how do they know it’s a brain tumor anyway? It could be a mistake.”
    â€œThat’s the reason for running a second series of tests,” Mrs. Chambers said, “just to be sure. Mrs. Bodmer, I hope you realize that this is serious. Hopefully, with the treatments, she’ll be okay. The tumor is what’s been giving her the headaches. And the costs will be covered by the state since Sooze is in foster care.”
    Mrs. Bodmer stared at Mrs. Chambers. Then she returned to her original position on the sofa and took a long drink. “Susan isn’t going to die, is she?”
    â€œI hope not,” Mrs. Chambers answered. “We’re praying for her.”
    At the mention of prayer, Mrs. Bodmer sniffed loudly. “Great,” she huffed sarcastically. “God’s done so much for us in the past.”
    â€œMrs. Bodmer,” Mrs. Chambers continued, “the doctors are very hopeful that the treatments will curb the growth of the tumor. We’re all hoping they have found it in time. Sooze knows about all of this. It’s an awfully big deal for a kid her age. She really needs all the support we can give her right now.”
    Sooze and Skye reappeared on the stairs and slowly made their way back to where the women were sitting. Mrs. Bodmer stared intently at her daughter and then took one last puff on her cigarette before putting it out.
    â€œNow wait!” She shook her head and drew her hands through her hair, flattening it against her head before it went back to its dance with the fan. “This is all going too fast.” She studied Sooze again. “You mean my kid’s so sick that she needs radiation and chemo?”
    â€œSooze, I’ve told your mother what’s going on with you.”
    Mrs. Bodmer looked Sooze up and down one more time. “Susan, this isn’t one of your dirty tricks again, is it?” Mrs. Bodmer growled. “If it is, it isn’t one bit funny.”
    â€œI assure you it isn’t,” Mrs. Chambers said. “Sooze didn’t cause this. It just happened.”
    â€œDon’t worry, Mumsy,” Sooze said sarcastically. “It’s going to be loads of fun. First, I’ll lose my hair, and then, I’ll be throwing up my guts. Who knows — maybe I’ll even die. That would be a lucky break for you, wouldn’t it?”
    Mrs. Bodmer reached for another cigarette and her lighter.
    â€œWell, isn’t life grand!” she hissed. “Like I don’t got enough trouble. Now I got a sick kid.”
    â€œBefore we leave,” Mrs. Chambers said, “we’d like to pray with you and Sooze. Prayer always helps in times like these when we don’t know which way to turn.”
    Mrs. Bodmer took another drink and then scowled.
    â€œNo thank you!” she harped. “I’ve never had a need for God, and I don’t need him now. You can just take your prayers and be on your merry way. No god would let this stuff happen to me.”
    â€œI’m sorry you feel that way,” Mrs. Chambers said. “God has helped me through some pretty tough times. He — ”
    â€œI said no!” Mrs. Bodmer shouted. “Like I said, you can just get on down the road!”