The Invitation

Chapter 6

The Invitation

This month hasn't been very good for me. I found out the Cancer is growing again. So it means I will have to continue the radiation treatments. Javier didn't take it so well, he hit my dining room wall. It was a bit scary and attractive for him to do that. His hand swelled up from doing it. At least he learned a valuable lesson, being Macho isn't always a good thing.

Javier has been spending more time with my neighbors, the Bentley's. I thought it was odd at first, but now I've been spending time with them too. Like I thought, they do believe in Aliens, but the canary in my bedroom was not their doing. They did get a kick out of it, and thought it was amazing how a canary would end up in my bedroom. I told Javier not to tell them about my Cancer, but he did.

" How are you feeling today?" Mrs. Bentley said through my screen door. She was peering inside squinting, trying to find me.

" I'm fine " I smiled at her. To think I thought she was some kind of crazy woman. Well she does believe in Aliens, but we all have some quirks.

" Listen Honey, Javier told me you're not well." She said this matter of factly. It still shocked me.

" What do you mean? What did Javier tell you?

" That....um..." She said the rest in a whisper, as if saying it aloud might be cause for a mob to gather and stone me to death. " Um...he said you have Cancer "

" That I do Mrs. Bentley " I copied her tone with the rest of my sentence " I have Cancer " Her face became mushed together in sympathy. It wasn't patronizing, I truly believe she felt "Mushy" faced for me.

" Oh Dear. Is there anything I can do for you?"

" No Mrs. Bentley, I'll be fine. Thanks for your concern."

" Why don't you come to my apartment on Friday. We are having a meeting, and I think you can find help there. "

" I'm already seeing a Doctor "

" I know, Javier told me " Of course he did. " He said they aren't helping much " Again she made the mushed up face.

" It's really fine, Mrs. Bentley. I'll be fine." I really didn't want her wacky space friends trying to help me.

" Well, promise me you'll come. I'll make Mexican food. Javier told me you like Mexican food." What the hell? Javier talks too much. Jesus, I bet she knows Javier and I did it at my work place. The moment I thought this, Mrs. Bentley had a knowing smile on her face. I'd swear she was reading my mind.

" Okay, okay, I'll come. I'll bring Javier too. By the way, did you know he wets the bed?"

"What?!" She was startled.

" I'm just kidding." I gave her a wink. " I'll be there on Friday." We nodded to each other, and she walked towards her apartment.

FRIDAY