Free 31 Days of Autumn by C.J. Fallowfield

battle to maintain my strong front totally disintegrated and I
started sobbing.
    ‘O, shit, no! Sorry, Ellie,’ Brooke uttered,
scooting down next to me and pulling me into a hug. ‘They think I’m diabetic.
It just means I’m going to have to cut way back on alcohol and sugary
and carbified treats. I might need to take tablets, too.’
    ‘Brooke,’ I moaned, smacking her arm. ‘I really
thought you were dying.’
    ‘It feels like it, if I can’t have my bloody
champagne. You know how much I love it,’ she pouted.
    ‘Are you sure it’s not cancer?’ I asked,
looking over at Molly for confirmation.
    ‘Nothing’s certain until she has more tests,
but she had a blood sugar one done and it was too high. She has to go back for
a fasting blood test in the morning and when those results are in, they’ll know
for sure if it’s diabetes. If it is, she’ll have to see a specialist to discuss
diet and lifestyle.’
    ‘But how can they be sure it’s not cancer?’ I
asked, still not convinced.
    ‘I’ve had no blood in my urine, the urine and
blood prick test showed high levels of glucose, and he did a vaginal and rectal
exam and found no lumps,’ Brooke advised, rubbing my arm as she tried to reassure
me. ‘Honestly, the first time I get touched up by a guy in years and I barely
even felt the prick,’ she giggled as she shoulder-bumped me, finally making me
crack a smile.
    ‘Well, if it is diabetes, we’ll get you the
best specialist and if you need a nutritionist to work with you to sort out a
healthy diet, we’ll do that. You don’t need to worry about anything, ok?’ I
squeezed her hand, feeling a little better given what I’d just heard. I wasn’t
going to feel one-hundred percent happy until she’d had that blood test
tomorrow, though.
    ‘Thank you.’
    ‘You seem to be taking it quite well,’ I
observed, trying to dry my eyes with my soggy tissue.
    ‘Hey, an hour ago I thought I was dying,
anything else is a bonus, even if it means cutting back on my favourite treats.
Being around to have time with my family is more important.’ She squeezed my
hand and I nodded and took a deep breath to fully compose myself. ‘Are you ok?
You looked about to pass out earlier.’
    ‘I thought my best friend was dying, Brooke. It
was all a bit much.’
    ‘So, if I had been given a sentence, what
funeral songs would you have chosen?’
    ‘Sweetie,’ sighed Molly, shaking her head.
Brooke winked at me, she was just trying to cheer us up.
    ‘Well, as the guest of honour of this occasion,
I’d like to have Katy Perry, Roar. It reminds me of both of you,
especially our hen night. What about you, Ellie.’
    ‘I think Pink, Get The Party Started, ’ I
suggested.
    ‘You’ve just lost your best friend and you’re
partying?’
    ‘You’re roaring! I was going to go with The Wizard
of Oz, Ding Dong! The Witch Is Dead , but I thought Pink was a less risky
choice,’ I giggled, making her gasp in mock horror.
    ‘Be serious,’ she pouted.
    ‘Ok, if we’re being serious, it would be Queen, You’re My Best Friend .’ I leaned over and kissed her on the cheek.
    ‘Ahhhh, babe, that’s so sweet, I love that
song. Come on, Molly, what would be yours?’
    ‘Michelle Branch, It’s You ,’ she
whispered, her tears starting all over again.
    ‘O babe, that’s a beautiful song,’ Brooke
whispered, clutching her chest.
    ‘I don’t want to play this game, Brooke!’ Molly
howled. ‘I really thought I was losing you and I even tried to pick the perfect
song to sum up my feelings for you last week. I never want to hear it now,
because if I do, it means it’s real and you’ve left me.’
    ‘Babe. I had no idea you were so worried,’
Brooke sighed, turning to gather Molly in her arms.
    ‘You really are stupid,’ Molly moaned, clinging
tightly to her. ‘You’re my wife, the thought of losing you makes me sick. I’ve
been having nightmares about it.’
    ‘I’m sorry, I’m so sorry.’
    ‘Never do that