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After a while, Evelyn eventually agreed for Ted to take her to the doctor. “Doctor,” Ted said when they arrived at the doctor’s place. “Evelyn has been having headaches and she keeps forgetting things, please check what’s wrong.”
“Ok,” the doctor said. “We’ll do a scan and X-Ray to see what’s going on, but in the meantime, I’ll prescribe these pills. We’ll have your results back in two days, and then we’ll call you Evelyn.”
The doctor called a few days later. “Mr Jakes this is Doctor Jeff, I’m calling in regards to the test results. I’m afraid I need you and Evelyn to come in ASAP.”
“Ok,” Ted responds. “We’ll be there in the next hour. Thank you doctor, goodbye.”
“Goodbye, Mr Jakes,” greets Doctor.
Mr Jakes and Evelyn arrive at the doctor’s office an hour later. “I’m afraid I have some bad news,” the doctor says.
“What news?” Ted responded. “Just tell us already!”
“Ted please let the doctor speak,” Evelyn says, cutting in.
“I’m Sorry, I apologise Doctor.”
“Its fine, Mr Jakes,” Doctor Jeff says. “The results came back. Evelyn, I regret to inform you that the headaches and constant forgetting of things is all caused by a brain tumour.”
“What?” Evelyn says, then starts to cry.
“No, it can’t be,” Ted also responds.
“Ted, please stop,” Evelyn says, cutting in again. “How far is it Doctor? How long do I have?”
“The tumour has grown extensively, so I would say about 3 months.”
“What? No!” Ted interrupts again. “Is there nothing you can do? I’ll pay please!”
“No, Mr Jakes. The other doctors will tell you the same thing, but you’re welcome to get another opinion.”
“Thank you doctor!” Evelyn says. “Ted, please, let’s go.”
“But Evelyn.”
“Please, Ted.”
“Okay, Thank you doctor, goodbye.”
“Goodbye”, the doctor says.
While driving home, Evelyn has a conversation with Ted. “I don’t have long to live anymore, Ted,” she says, “and I don’t want to burden or prepare Manuel and John over this. I’ve caused too much pain already, so please keep it to yourself.”
“But,” Ted says, trying to get Evelyn to see things differently.
“Please,” Evelyn responds before Ted could finish.
“Okay, Evelyn.”
While Evelyn is talking, she feels so brave and strong. “Promise me you’ll take care of Johnny if I die,” she says out of the blue.
“Please don’t say that, Evelyn,” Ted says, then he begins to sob. “I can’t lose you, I love you.”
“It’s going to be alright, Ted. I’ll always be yours, okay?”
While Evelyn is talking, Ted looked at the woman he had so deeply loved and admired for her strength and love, and he promised to take care of John if she passed on. Months go by and the two grew closer and more in-love. He later kissed her and held her tight while whispering the sweet words I Love You to her. Little did he know, though, that this was going to be their last time together.
When Evelyn passed on, it was Ted that had to break the news to her husband and Johnny. It was the hardest thing he had ever had to do. Mr Jakes had lost the one person whom he truly loved, and nobody knew of his love for her. It was like a thousand needles cutting through his heart.
Tell us: How do you think Manuel is going to react when he finds out his wife had passed on from another man?