The doctor had agreed Annalee had all the symptoms of mono. An occasional fever, zero energy and most mornings she woke up with sheets wet from sweating. Night sweats, the doctor called it. Whatever she was dealing with, the tests today would tell the story, and then she could move on to getting better. She cleared her throat. “You’ve heard of that, right? Scans for mono?”
“Yes. I think so.” Her mother’s answer was a little too quick. “They’re probably looking to see if your spleen is enlarged. That’s something they would see on a scan.”
A woman wearing a white coat walked into the room.
“I have to go.” Annalee dropped her voice to a whisper. “I’ll call you later.”
“Okay, honey. Your dad and I… we’re coming home tomorrow.”
Annalee set the phone in her purse and lifted her eyes to the woman. “Is it time?”
“Yes. I need you to remove your clothing and jewelry.” She handed Annalee a hospital gown. “And change into this.” The woman smiled, but it didn’t change her serious expression. “I’ll give you a few minutes.”
While Annalee did what the woman asked, nausea formed a pit in her stomach. Why am I worried? This couldn’t be anything serious. Her mom’s sister had died on the mission field in Kenya last year. A family could only take so much heartache.
It has to be mono.
The woman returned and helped Annalee onto the flat table. Then she handed her a pair of earplugs. “You’ll want these. The test is loud… it can last as long as an hour depending on what we see.”
She’d never worn earplugs. She took a minute to figure out how to make them work and then Annalee lay flat on her back. Her heart picked up speed and raced against the wall of her chest. The earplugs made the sound louder. Peace, she prayed. Please give me peace, God. Calm me down.
As the table slid into the tube and the test began, Annalee remembered something her father had told her. If you’re stuck in a difficult situation take yourself somewhere else. Remember a happy time or relive some meaningful moment.
With her eyes squeezed shut, Annalee did just that. So she was no longer in a cold tube with loud scary sounds happening around her. She was on her parents’ back porch a week ago telling them about a decision she’d made. A decision about her life.
Her parents had made hot cider. Austin was at football practice so it was just the three of them. Like it was happening again, Annalee could smell the cinnamon from her warm mug and see the looks of anticipation in the faces of her parents.
“God has spoken to you?” Her dad sat opposite her, all of them in rocking chairs.
“He has.” Annalee had never been more sure about a career path. “I know what I want to do.” And then she’d told them. “I want to help trafficked children here in Indianapolis.” Annalee’s heart soared at the possibility. “I’m thinking of developing an app.”
The idea was straightforward. Hotel workers would download the app, which would connect with local law enforcement agencies. If a front desk employee suspected a trafficker was bringing a child into a hotel room, the worker could notify authorities anonymously through the app. If the tip turned into an arrest or a rescue, the hotel worker would receive a reward.
Her mom’s eyes had lit up. “I like it.” She looked at Annalee’s father and then back at Annalee. “Who funds the reward?”
“It would be a charity.” Annalee had tried to think of everything. “People would donate knowing that the reward money would only be given out if police were able to take action.”
They had talked for another half hour about how an app like that could start in Indianapolis and spread to the entire nation or even the world. Her parents agreed that hotel workers were often the last line of defense for trafficked kids. In the United States and even in places like Thailand.
Annalee blinked and the memory disappeared. Shrill beeps and whirring sounds filled the tube—which was four inches from her face. Maybe closer. She tried to take a deep breath but her lungs wouldn’t fill, wouldn’t expand correctly. Were the walls of the cylinder closing in?
Another memory. That’s what she needed. Again she squeezed her eyes shut and this time a different face filled her mind. The handsome face of Tommy Baxter. He had taken her on a date two weeks ago, before her mom had made today’s doctor appointment. Back when her fatigue wasn’t so draining and she was still sure her tiredness had something to do with the trip overseas. Not this dreaded mono.
She pressed her back against the hard platform. Once more, Annalee could hear Tommy’s voice as they set off that day. He had looked at her from behind the wheel. “You ready for your Super Surprise Saturday?”
A smile had filled her heart. “Super Surprise Saturday?” She’d laughed. “What does that even mean?”
“It means you deserve the world. So this isn’t our average movie night.” Tommy had grinned at her. Then he’d handed her a pink envelope. She could still smell his cologne like he was here with her again. “Open it.”
She had known immediately this was going to be a forever memory with Tommy. Inside the card was a poem.
School has started, senior year.
Summer’s gone no beaches here.
Still I thought I’d take a chance
Take you out and find romance.
First stop on our night of fun
The chicken place, a 2.1.
I love you always, Annalee
P.S.—We don’t have to be in Phuket for you to take my breath away. That doesn’t rhyme… but we do.
Love, Tommy
“Are you serious?” Annalee had closed the card and looked at him. “We’re doing… what… a scavenger hunt?”
“We are.” He had looked so handsome. Crewneck navy sweater and dark jeans. His hair still blond from the summer sun. “I’m at your beck and call, my fair princess. Think about the clues. Where to first?”
“Uhh.” She looked at the card again. “Chick-fil-A?”
“Ding-ding-ding. You got it! That chicken place.” He grinned at her. “Let’s go!”
She hadn’t understood the 2.1 part until they got inside the fast-food restaurant. One of Tommy’s friends from the basketball team was working behind the counter and Tommy steered them to his line. When it was their turn, Tommy gave her a soft nudge. “Go ahead… place your order.”
A laugh caught her off guard. Whatever this was, Tommy’s friend had clearly been expecting them. There was a line forming behind them. Annalee tried to compose herself. “I’ll have a 2.1… I think.” She looked at Tommy. “Right?”
He shrugged at his friend. “The princess wants a 2.1. My treat, of course.”
Tommy’s friend had Annalee’s meal ready. Grilled chicken and a side salad. Her favorite. He handed her the food. “There’s the two.” He chuckled and pulled another pink envelope from beneath the counter. Annalee’s name was written across the front. “And here’s the one.”
When they were back in his Jeep, she opened the card and found another poem. The journey led them to a pottery craft store where they made matching mugs and then left them to be fired in the kiln. Next was a stop at her favorite coffee shop, where they shared a pair of pumpkin spice lattes.