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<span class="mu-r">“Glad to see you’re back in the land of the living, old man.”</span> you said casually, a note of challenge in your voice.
He frowned slightly, but his expression quickly turned into an appreciative grin. <span class="mu-r">“Don’t make me come over there.”</span>
<span class="mu-r">“Oh, don’t get up on my account.”</span> you said with a laugh, throwing your hands up in a placating gesture.
He opened his mouth to reply, but then his frown deepened when he noticed something. And you thought you knew what it was.
<span class="mu-r">“Sorry Vic couldn’t make it.”</span> you cut in. <span class="mu-r">“She and Pete have had a lot to deal with today. I’ll call her later to let her know that you’re awake.”</span>
He refocused his gaze on you and nodded slowly. <span class="mu-r">“As long as they’re both alright…”</span> he muttered.
<span class="mu-b">“You just worry about getting better, dad.”</span> Rich said, standing beside you. <span class="mu-b">“We’ll handle the rest.”</span>
Your mother nodded her agreement, and after a few seconds, you did so as well.
Just then, a young Asian doctor entered the room. Despite the late hour, he seemed to carry himself well. Maybe he was just working a late shift.
<span class="mu-b">“Mr. Parker. Glad to see that you’re awake.”</span> he said, smiling and flipping through pages on the clipboard in his hands. <span class="mu-b">“I know you’ve had a rough time of it lately, but I suspect that you’ll be making a full recovery from this injury. Not many people your age can boast that.”</span>
Everyone sighed in relief at that. However, it didn’t look like he was done speaking, so you remained alert.
<span class="mu-b">“Now, according to your medical history, you’ve been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes before, correct?”</span>
Dad nodded slowly. <span class="mu-r">“That’s right.”</span>
<span class="mu-b">“And you have a history with smoking as well?”</span> he asked.
Another nod, but this one was immediately followed up with a wary glance exchanged between him and his wife.
The doctor hummed unhappily before flipping to another page on their clipboard. <span class="mu-b">“And have you been feeling any fatigue, or abdominal pain radiating from your back? Before your injury I mean.”</span>
Mom frowned at him. <span class="mu-g">“I’m sorry, what’s this about?”</span>
The doctor's lips pressed into a thin line, and his expression grew serious. <span class="mu-b">“During Mr. Parker’s surgery, we noticed some unusual swelling near his small intestine. We performed a quick biopsy and are still waiting on results from the pathology lab…but there’s a possibility that he might have pancreatic cancer.”</span>
Mom’s face went pale. She looked as if the news had struck her like a lightning bolt. Richard was similarly dumbfounded. And dad just looked…confused.
You, on the other hand…for once, you really didn’t know what to say. What <span class="mu-i">could</span> you say in a situation like this?
<span class="mu-b">“Did we at least catch it in the early stages?”</span> Richard asked.
(Cont.)
