Fan Fiction |
by Jenny Tran
For the past six months, Freddie never had a seizure but once he started the stronger dose of chemo. Virginia witnessed the very first one. His body began to shake slowly and then it began to tremble violently until he knocked over the lamp near the sofa. Virginia was in the kitchen when she heard the commotion as she ran out and saw what she’s been warned about. Her heart stopped for a few milliseconds as she watched him go into a seizure. “Freddie….” She called but knew that he wouldn’t be able to answer her.
She wanted to hug him tight to keep him from shaking so much but she remembered Michael saying that you cannot touch him. All you could do is make sure he doesn’t swallow his tongue. Her heart ached as she watched him in what looked like excruciating pain. Finally it ended after what seemed like hours, in truth its only been a little over one minute.
When he stopped trembling, she reached to him slowly and hugged him. Trying to fight the tears that were ready to come out, she closed her eyes tight “Are you alright?” she asked.
She felt him nod his head “Did I scare you?”
“Not really.” She lied, her heart was about to jump out of her throat “Considering it was the first time I witnessed it. How did it feel?”
“Scary, I knew what was going on but I couldn’t stop it.” His breathing soon calmed down and he went to bed early.
*************
Fortunately, his mother never had to witness the seizure, she would have gone beserk. It happened a few more times that week, once when Joanne was there and the rest of the time, it was up to Virginia. Michael eventually called Freddie in for more tests. It looked like the new dose was giving him harsh side effects. The evaluation took longer than usual as Freddie had to stay back for a few days.
Virginia was home by herself on a Sunday and didn’t know what else to do. She was restless and her mind kept wandering to Freddie. Soon enough she decided to open the red bottle of wine and poured herself a drink, then another and another. Before she realized that her mind was working slower, it was too late to stop. The wine made her forget everything. All the pain and worries were not there. She felt the most relaxed as she sipped and carried the 1/3 bottle of wine to the couch.
Her mind was clear of thoughts but she felt extremely dizzy after she finally finished the whole bottle. Her eyes blurred as she ran to the liquor cabinet to find more booze. She normally didn’t drink and the liquor cabinet was there for decoration. It was actually her father’s but she never had any interest in it until that night. She found an old bottle of cognac, the strongest of them all. The date was 1974, the best of all years. She opened it with some difficulty as she tried to use her hands but they were to weak, so she tried with her teeth. Eventually, she shaved off the top lid with the knife and opened it. She chugged it down like it was coke, but she only did it once because it was too strong.
She stumbled her way back to the couch but soon got up when she heard the doorbell “Who is it?!!!” she asked with frustration. “Who dares…disturb me?” she swung the door open and found Jeff in front of her. Her eyes narrowed as she leaned on the door clumsily “What do you want?”
He covered his mouth and nose when her breath reeked of alcohol. “Ginny, what are you drinking?!!” he pushed her into the living room as he closed the door. He found one empty bottle of wine laying on the ground.
She held up the cognac bottle and showed him “This!” she said emphasizing her excitement “It’s the beeestt out there..” she sat on the couch but quickly slipped of and landed on the carpet “Ouch!” she burst into tiny giggles “That was fun!!” she pulled herself on the couch but this time Jeff stopped her from having her fun.
He yanked the bottle from her hand “Ginny! Stop it!! This is not healthy for you.”
She swung her neck towards him as she pouted her lips “What would you know? You have no worries…no sadness….nothing! Can I even drink to forget everything tonight? Can’t I??” she grabbed the bottle back unexpectedly. “Join me, its fun.” She pushed it in his face.
He shook his head slowly “The more sad you are, the more sad you will be if you drink. Alcohol does make you forget things, but it can bring it all back the next morning. Stop drinking, Ginny…” he coaxed softly.
She looked at the bottle and then at him “Fine, I already open this bottle…drink it all and I won’t have to drink it myself…” she gave him a goofy smile.
He knew there would be no stopping her even if he used force. She he took the bottle from her hand and took the alcohol in one gulp. It hit him quicker than he imagined as he began to grow dizzy, he opened his eyes wide as he tried to focus on the things around him. His mind grew cloudy as he began to sink back on the couch. Virginia was asleep on the ground. He smiled to himself as he pulled her up “Come on sleepy head…time for bed..” he used his whole strength to pull her up as they swayed from side to side down the hall. When the got to her bedroom, he dropped her on the bed and she slowly obliged as she pulled the covers over herself. Mumbling something incoherent “Hey…” he tapped her shoulder “Move over…” he said.
She did as he told and he fell onto the bed next to her. Her eyes slowly opened and she smiled “Good night…” she wrapped her arms around his neck as she cuddled at the nape of his chest and neck.
“Good night..” he breathed as his arm fell on top of her body, reaching down to her head as he kissed it dearly. She shifted in his arms as her head moved up and her eyes opened once more. She hasn’t felt that comfortable in ages, whether it was the alcohol or the feeling of someone’s arms around her. She felt at ease like there were no worries.
“Thank you…” she mumbled. He looked down at her with a serious face. She closed her eyes and felt something warm touch her lips. It felt nice as she responded to his kiss….
**************
The next morning, he woke up to the ray of sunshine coming through the room. He let out a long stretch as he looked around the room and realized it wasn’t his apartment. He quickly sat up and looked around again hoping that his eyes deceased him. He recognized the pictures on the wall, the tiny desk with the computer, it was Virginia’s room. She was no where in sight.
He grabbed his head when the blood rushed up to his brain. His head was pounding. Jeff looked down at himself and saw that his shirt was completely taken off. ‘How?’ he thought ‘What did I do yesterday?’ thoughts raced through his mind as he pictured the worst.
Virginia peeked through the door of her room “You awake?” she asked.
“Ginny!” he sounded surprised even though it was her room.
“Had a nice sleep?” she smiled warmly as she brought a tiny tray to the bed. “Its Jasmine tea, it’ll help you ease the hangover.” The steaming cup looked inviting as she held it up for him.
“Ginny…” he asked after he took a few sips “What happened last night?” he could barely remember.
“Nothing…we slept on the same bed.” She said slowly but surely.
He shook his head “Then why is my shirt off?”
“Because you threw up this morning so I helped changed you. That’s all.” She said simply. “Now drink up. Stop thinking about last night, nothing happened.” She said convincingly.
He seemed confused as his memory slowly came back after the tea soaked into his body. He remembered they were really intimate but the details were too hazy. “Are you sure we didn’t….uh….em…you know?” his eyes were a circular shape as he opened them wide.
She giggled “Of course not!!” he didn’t look convinced. She sighed as she tilted her head “You’re my good friend, I wouldn’t allow that to happen, even if I was drunk. I can’t believe you finished that bottle of cognac.” She said lightly as she got up and sat by the vanity mirror to brush her hair. “My father would be very proud.” She smiled and winked at him through the reflection of the mirror.”
He sensed something was definitely wrong about that picture. Either she was hiding something from him or his mind was playing tricks on him. “If something did happen, would you tell me?”
She turned to face him and eventually sat on the bed with him “Yes. Of course I will. Don’t you worry, everything is fine. I just needed to clear my mind last night. Now go on, change, you’re gonna be late for work. Why don’t you borrow one of Freddie’s t-shirts for now? I’m sure he won’t mind.” She smiled and got up “I’ve got to be on my way too, oh and can you lock the door behind you?” he nodded with a blank expression “Thanks Jeff.” Her smile grew wider “And stop worrying.” She insisted before leaving the room.
*****************
That night, she went to the hospital to pick up Freddie. It’s only been two days and he seemed to have lost all the life in him. He looked paler and his eyes were bloodshot, like he’s been drinking or crying. His balance was not too good as Virginia had to support him. “Is this how it would feel like to be old and useless?” he joked. Even though he looked completely different, his mind was still working and his personality was irreplaceable.
“Maybe…why don’t you ask an old person?” she quipped.
“Oooh, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning.” He teased.
She dodged his teasing eyes “More than you think…” she mumbled to herself.
“What did you say?” he asked “Is there something wrong?”
She smiled, showing him that there was nothing to worry about. “Of course not! Why would there be?”
“You’re acting very strange tonight.” He observed.
She shrugged her shoulders “Don’t I act strange period? I mean I am a head doctor.”
“Sometimes head doctors need to express their feelings too.” He hinted.
She smiled “Like what?”
“Like what you are thinking right now?” his eyes searched for any lies that she might have said, but she was too good at hiding her feelings.
“I am thinking what a nosy roommate I have.” She smiled but it slowly disappeared when Freddie continued to wrinkle his forehead with concern “Don’t worry about me. I’m fine.” She insisted.
“Well, I’m not.” He sighed. “I’ve been hiding my feelings for the longest time.”
“What are you saying?” she looked nervous as she looked at him with sincere eyes.
“I haven’t been very truthful to you with my feelings. You know in the past three days, I realized so much stuff? Things like love and life and death. I don’t want to regret anything if God decides to take me. So I want to be honest with you…” he smiled as he reached for her hands.
She shook her head slowly “Don’t do this now, Freddie.”
“Why not? You want to wait until I’m on my death bed? Just let me do this.” He begged. Smiling as he continued “I love you, Virginia Chan. I have never loved anyone else in the world as much as I love you right now. There is no one more perfect than you.”
His words touched her heart as her lips trembled lightly and tears began to flow evenly down her soft skin “No one’s perfect.” Her voice couldn’t hide the shakiness.
“But you are. I know you are….” He reached over and hugged her warmly while she allowed the tears to come out. “Shh…don’t cry. No matter what happens, I’ll always be by your side.”
She smiled at his sweet words. He was right, they’ll always have each other, no matter what happens. “Even death can’t separate us now.” She muttered. He nodded as he tightened the hug around her frail body.