Chapter VIII
Ann’s latest session of chemo had finished up two weeks ago. She had returned to the hospital today to learn the results of the MRI. She had become very comfortable resting in the waiting room. There were new faces, all reflecting hope, and sadly, there were no longer the faces of some that had shared the waiting room chairs with Ann over the last nine months.
Ann was far less anxious than what she had been in the beginning. There was a certain calmness surrounding Ann, she hoped for a miracle, but was prepared for reality.
It had been only 3 years since she had left O’Rily Investments. She thought how safe those times were for her. Never worried about her health, convinced that ill health was for everyone other than herself. She remembered her office, walls covered with awards for her, achievements, recognitions and accreditation's. The continual gatherings where her attendance was always demanded. All had meant so much, then, now everything was gathering dust in a storage locker. Then, she knew she had the power to stop business only by raising her hand. Now she was afraid raising her hand would only get her a pass to the washroom. Her children surrounded her with their love and support, protecting her from the unnecessary minuet matters. Ann had never fully realized before now her most important job all these years had been her family. She had seen their strength, their decency and their generosity, over the past months and realized the gifts that she had been given.
“Ann, I don’t believe this. What a place to see you at.”
“Libby, how are you. I haven’t seen you for what, 15 years?”
“Oh about that. Seeing you in here I take it your last few years, like mine, have not been the best. Oh Ann time has caught up with us. ”
That was Libby, direct hit, home run. Other than wearing the unified badge of cancer, she was the same Libby. Missing was her flaming red hair, but here she is today, mile high bedazzled mules on her size 4 feet, continuing to be very petite, she never stood beyond 5 feet. Libby would always stop a room when she entered. Her personality changed, without warning, from Jackie O to Super fly. Today she was Super fly, dressed in a vibrant multicolored shift, earrings beyond big, but seemed to balance her vibrant smile. She had a matching turban on, of course wrapped impeccably with accompanying Jackie O sunglasses.
“Ann I heard you retired.”
“Yes. Before Red Nixman passed away he took the time to tell me to get out from behind my desk, leave the pressures behind and start enjoying my life.”
“And then this.”
“Well I have been doing some travelling, but yes Libby, now this. So bring me up to date on what you have been up to.”
“Well you know me, can’t sit in one spot too very long. I finally married Earl and lost him to a stroke six years ago, but the time we had together was wonderful. Ann, he was one of the most trusting men I had ever met and God knows I have met a few.”
She, Ann thought was not by any means exaggerating. Libby for the majority of her adult life had been a Madam, a very successful Madam, taking great pride in her operation and her girls.
Ann remembered the first time Libby made her entrance into her office at O’Riley Tower. She blew in like the wind; the door opened and in she came, mile high mules, flaming red hair, Jackie O sunglasses, dressed in an elegant camel coat with fur trim and leather gloves.
“I came over from Nixman’s office. Red is out but left a message for me to see you.”
“Please come in Miss????”
“Libby…… only Libby.”
“What can I do for you Libby?”
“I am in the market for a new home. I am in the suburbs now, but I want to locate my family to a downtown location.”
“Certainly, how big of a home are you looking for?”
“Seven bedrooms, large yard with a fence.”
After about 40 minutes Ann had gathered enough information to feel comfortable knowing what to look for. Libby wanted to pay cash only, which would certainly hasten any closing. She also asked Ann to give her the names of good contractors, knowing that she would be doing major renovations to her home.
For the next four weeks Ann continued to search for acceptable homes for Libby, but each and every one they toured they came away with some disappointment. Ann had spoken to Red hoping to get a more personal insight to Libby, but was only told “she’s a pistol”.
Finally one Friday Libby called Ann and they agreed to meet at Ann’s house on Saturday morning. Libby had come up with a few suggestions.
Ann had made the coffee had told Lynn and Franklin to make themselves scarce while Miss Libby was visiting.
Ann never anticipated what was about to arrive at her door. The white Cadillac pulled up and what seemed like a never ending stream of young, attractive woman came out of the car; finally ending with Libby and the tiniest dog Ann had ever seen. Of all days anything less than her Super fly costume would have seemed inappropriate. Ann knew this would be the talk of her neighbors for a long time. In the future, perhaps the entourage could meet at the local restaurant.
Ann quickly went to the front door to greet the party of seven. Ann never did learn their names, only knowing them as Libby’s family.
She thought she would die when Lynn came upstairs attracted by the noise and while scanning the room Libby approached her and quickly introduced herself and her daughters. Lynn immediately asked why they were all different colors. Ann interrupted and apologized for Lynn’s comment and asked Lynn to leave the room. Libby interrupted and told Ann that she liked Lynn and she had asked a logical question. Libby looked at Lynn and explained that her daughters had been adopted and she loved to refer to them as her League of Nations. Lynn seemed satisfied with that explanation and was now enamored by Libby’s toy poodle, Coco.
Lynn and Coco stayed on the front door step for the balance of their visit. Inside Libby and the girls were busy showing Ann pictures of a house they had seen earlier this week, that had a For Sale sign in the front yard. Libby was convinced that it must have been a new listing for Ann not to have brought this to her attention. Ann, of course, never told Libby that this particular house had been on the market for more than a year. It was certainly a noticeable home, sitting on the top of a hill, on a circular corner lot, with the house as well being shaped as a dome. It seemed so unattractive that Ann could not appreciate why anyone would pay particular attention to it. Libby did, she had driven by it for the week, sometimes twice a day and she was hoping that they could get into the house today to see it.
Ann called the listing realtor and got approval to go in immediately.
The entourage packed up quickly and it was agreed that Ann would follow them over. As they departed each and everyone said goodbye to Lynn, especially Libby, giving her a great hug on the front steps. That would worry Ann for months to come.
Looking at the home from Libby’s perspective, Ann now appreciated that it was perfect. The deal closed and the contractors moved in.
Over the years Ann was repeatedly asked to come and visit, but Libby appreciated why Ann was always busy with something else.
Ann read several years later, in the evening newspapers, that the police had closed down the house. Libby of course had managed to negotiate her way out of any charges.
“Libby you look wonderful. Are you in here for treatment?”
“Yes, I was diagnosed last year. So I come in every 3 months and so far so good. How about you?”
While Ann brought Libby up to date on her on-going treatment in walked Lynn. She wanted to be with Ann when she met with the Doctor.
While Ann brought Libby up to date on her on-going treatment in walked Lynn. She wanted to be with Ann when she met with the Doctor.
Libby looked up and immediately recognized Lynn and without doubt Lynn remembered Miss Libby.
“How are you my dear, you look wonderful. Ann, Lynn must take after someone else in your family, because she doesn’t look like you.”
Lynn was accustomed to hearing that from her mother’s friends. She had been told for many years that she did take after her father.
“Lynn is my solider, Libby.”
And immediately Lynn, curiosity taking over asked Libby if she was still working.
Ann glared at Lynn, wanting to crawl under her chair, but Libby and Lynn, neither rattled by any of the conversation carried on bringing each other up to date with their lives.
The nurse arrived asking Ann and Lynn to follow her. They said good-bye to Libby, promising to stay in touch and walked into the Doctors office.
Dr. Boyette stood and greeted both Ann and Lynn.
“Ann you are looking very pale. Have we checked you for anemia?”
Not really looking for an answer, he pulled a requisition form from his desk and started checking off the boxes.
“Ann, I think we are looking at some promising progress here.”
Ann could feel the 100 pounds of weight on her shoulders disappearing.
Lynn took her hand and both came forward in their seats.
They looked at the MRI scan from last week and compared it to the scan from 2 months ago and as Dr. Boyette pointed out the one tumor, which had been so very aggressive since treatment had started, had defiantly decreased in size. There was no change yet to the original tumor, but right now Ann was only listening to those wonderful words that a tumor had shrunk.
“So, Ann I would like you to start on a slightly more aggressive treatment in the next month. Let’s leave everything alone other than continuing on your maintenance drugs. If you feel any changes over the next few weeks phone me, but if not enjoy your holiday.”
As Ann and Lynn were leaving the hospital Lynn looked at Ann and jokingly suggested that they call Libby and get together for a drink.
______________________________
