Side Effects May Vary (Page 16)

Flipping through my charts, Dr. Meredith said, "I see your temperature's a little high." Instinctively, my hand flew to my forehead. Still clammy, but not as bad as last night when Harvey came over. I'd gotten so used to being ill that now I had trouble telling the difference between being sick and being Sick. My dad cleared his throat, loudly. Dr. Meredith took a deep breath. "Alice." His brown eyes found mine, and it was only me and him. He exhaled. "You're in remission." For a moment it was quiеt and everything felt okay. But thеn my mother began to sob, her entire body shaking in response. it was a horrible noise that made the room feel too small. Dad coughed, trying to bite back his emotions. He pinched the bridge of his nose, like his fingers might absorb his tears, but instead they rolled down his hand and into the cuff of his jacket. Oh shit. This, I did not expect. This was not on my list.