Page 23 of The Baby Bargain
"Sick? No. But I will be. I have the same gene mutation. That's what the test said."
"Ariel—"
"It's not… well, it is a big deal. But it's preventable. It's just the prevention…" Her lips press together. "My doctor wanted me to do it right away. But we compromised on twenty-five."
"Do what?" It's a stupid question. Her mom died of ovarian cancer. Prevention of that must mean—
"A hysterectomy. And a double mastectomy. Otherwise, I have a ninety-five percent chance… It's an aggressive treatment, some people wait longer, until thirty or thirty-five. But since my mom was so young—"
"I'm sorry."
"It was, um, the same thing happened to Angelina Jolie. But hers was a different gene. Just her—" She nods to her chest. "I should be able to keep my nipples. That's the good news. They can do a mastectomy that keeps the skin. There are so many breakthroughs in medicine, but there are so many things they can't figure out too."
"Fuck, Ariel." I want to offer something better, something comforting, but nothing comes.
"I only found out last week."
"Jesus."
"Yeah, I, uh… I never thought I needed to have kids. It was something I might want one day. But when I saw thepositiveon those test results—" Her eyes meet mine. "Something clicked, you know?"
I do.
"I just knew. That I needed to have kids. Well… a kid, I guess. There isn't time for two."
"But you…" Fuck, I have so many questions. "Your boyfriend didn't want that?"
She nods. "Something clicked for him when I asked. Only the other way."
"He thought he did?"
"Yeah. I… I don't blame him though. He answered as quickly as he could. He just—"
"It sucks, feeling like you're not enough for someone."
"Yeah." She reaches out. Takes my hand. Squeezes tightly.
She's comforting me.
She's telling me that she's going to develop a deadly, aggressive cancer if she doesn't remove her organs, and she's comforting me.
"That's why I have to do this now," she says.
I squeeze her hand back. "But why—"
"Do I want your help?" she asks.
I nod.
She's so calm. And certain.
This is not how I expected this conversation to go.
"I need someone's help. And I trust you. Please, Chase. I don't know who else to ask." She stares up at me. "Please help me."
Chapter Seven
Ariel
