Her Funeral(Darrell Case) She held her breath. Seated in the treatment room, she waited. The nurse, if that’s who she was, seemed grim. Maybe that was her nature. She looked at the place where they put the X-ray. The light shut off. She had been on edge all week waiting for the results of the biopsy. She found it one morning while dressing. Just a small lump in her breast. She didn’t tell her husband, but made an appointment with the doctor for the next week. She came to Doctor Beth, her mind going crazy. She was a Christian. She knew where she was going if she died.  Yet she wasn’t ready to die. 33 married for 10 years to a loving, caring husband. Her daughter 8 her son 7. would her husband marry again? What would his life be without her? How long would he wait after her death? Would her son and daughter warm up to a new mother? How could she tell her mom and dad? Mom, dad I’m going to die. Please take care of my children. Until my husband marries the Wicked Witch of the West. And my son and daughter turn into vagabonds.

Did she want to hear the doctor’s diagnosis? Maybe there was time to escape. To sneak out. But would they hunt her down? Sent her a letter. Dear Susana, you’re dying. Please call the doctor. Perhaps they would call her home? She could just imagine her husband answering the phone.

“Oh, hello Doctor. What? She’s dying? No, she didn’t tell me.” “Honey?”

Or her daughter thinking it was one of her friends from school. She could just hear her screams. “Mommy.”

Or seated in church Sunday morning. Mr. Wilson asking for prayer request. She would raise her hand. He would point to her. Could she hold back the tears? “Yes, I have a very urgent prayer request. My doctor told me this week I’m dying. Please pray for my husband to find a new wife and my children a new mother.” By this time, she would be sobbing. She felt tears in her eyes now. After services were over, her fellow worshipers would gather around her, offering their sympathies.

 And here would come old Mrs. Hajis, laying her hands on the top of Susana’s head. She would press down as if she could drive the sickness out of her body. Or force Susana on to her knees. Then she would pray. Lety Hajis’s voice raising in prayer until every adult cringed and children hid behind their parents. “Lord, we know it’s because of some grievous sin that this illness has come to Susana. Help her repent.” Her voice would raise until they could hear her in the next block. “Repent now.” Her voice rising to a crescendo until the ceiling lights were in danger of breaking and crashing to the floor. 

No, no, no. A thousand times no. If she saw Lety Hajis coming, she would run for her life. Lety Hajis would not give up. She would chase her down the highway screaming. “Repent, repent now.”

No, she would let no one in the church know she was dying. Her thoughts turned to her funeral. What would she wear? Something striking. The blue blouse and skirt. She must leave instructions for her husband. How much time did she have left? Six months? A year? Enough time to plan. Next week, she would go to the funeral home and pick out her casket. She closed her eyes.

The door to the treatment room opened. The doctor flew in her white coat flapping. “Susana, sorry to keep you waiting. It’s been a busy morning.” The doctor said, unsmiling. Susana set up straighter. Was she ready for this? She felt as though she were a prisoner facing the firing squad. She swallowed hard. She squared her shoulders. In her mind, she prepared herself to be told she was dying.

The doctor looked at the folder. She turned to Susana, smiling. “I know it has been a tough week waiting. But your breasts are very healthy. The lump you felt was benign. Just a small sack of fluid.” Susana felt her whole-Body sag. Tears moistened her eyes.

“I…I’m not dying?” She choked out.

Leaning forward, Doctor Beth took both her hands in hers. “Not even close. We will arrange for you to come in to the clinic. We will run a small needle into your breast and remove the fluid. It will be painless. You won’t feel a thing.”

 Outside, Susana breathed deeply. The sun was on her back, a southern breeze in her face. She glanced at her wristwatch 11:35. She called her husband. He said. “Hi honey, I was just thinking about you. Do you have time to meet me for lunch?” His voice made her smile.

“How about I meet you at that little restaurant on 5th and main?” She said. Feeling as the weight of the world was lifted off her shoulders.

“Wonderful. I can’t wait to see you. I love you.” He said.

“I love you too. “She said. Clicking her cell phone closed. It was a great day to be alive.  

 

 

          

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