Chapter 7 The Disease

"Sigrid... you are suspected of cancer." Flauber said in revolt. It was a death sentence and he well knew that there were no treatments capable of helping Sigrid. Medical help would only serve to prolong her days a little. And he decided that he would enjoy every single one of them. He would make her very happy.

Sigrid stared at him for a moment without understanding. It couldn't be true. Just when she was being happy for the first time? That word frightened her and, without wanting to, she began to cry. She knew it was the end. Flauber got out of his seat and going around the table pulled her up and hugged her. Sigrid really needed that hug at that moment. It was all she had. She pulled away from him and sat down calmer and began to drink her coffee as if nothing had happened. Flauber looked at her confused, handed her a handkerchief and also sat down and drank his coffee. He remained silent until she decided to say something. Her mind must have been in a whirlwind.

Sigrid accepted the handkerchief and wiped her face. Then she put it on the table. Her thoughts were flying away. She would not let this illness stop her from being happy. As long as she was breathing, she would be happy. She would seek out her mother and sister to live with her once she got to know her new home. She was not going to stop any of her projects. Now that they knew where her father was, she would go to him and find out if he still had any feelings for her mother. And if so, she would invite him to spend a few days in her house so that she could get along with her mother. Mrs. Cleuza deserved to be happy, and it was not too late for that.

"Well? When are we leaving?" Sigrid asked anxiously now.

"In an hour." Flauber replied relieved that she no longer seemed so lost.

Sigrid stood up.

"Then we'd better go. I don't want to be late."

Flauber also got up and left some dollar bills on the table and walked away along with Sigrid. As they walked back to the hotel hugging, Flauber had not stopped saying;

"I am very proud of you Sigrid. You are much more than I expected. You are a warrior and strong and determined. I know we will get through this together and with wisdom. I love you very much. And every pain of yours is mine too. Let's fight together. I will always be by your side."

"Thank you dear. It means a lot to me to know that I will have your unconditional support. It makes me feel supported." Sigrid said and stood thoughtfully. "Flauber..."

"Yes?"

"Does Mom know yet?"

"Not yet. You have to have new tests and in the meantime I will go to Texas and pick her and your sister up. You better be with us by the time you get the news."

"What about my father? I want to go talk to him and depending on his answers, I plan to have him come spend a few days with us as well. But I want to be along when I go there where he lives."

"Yes. I will take her there as soon as your mother and sister are home."

Soon they were back at the hotel and hurriedly packed their bags. They left there also in a hurry and soon a rental car took them to board. Sigrid felt her heart squeeze with fear as the plane began to climb, but she spent the rest of the trip quietly talking to Flauber. Neither of them ever spoke of her illness again. Once they arrived in Chicago, after a long nine-hour flight, they still had to face another two hours before arriving at the mansion in Olympia. Even though Sigrid was tired from the trip, she wanted to see every room. The mansion was really huge. It took them almost two hours to stop and enjoy the beauty and luxury in every room. Finally, Flauber took her to see the room where they would sleep together. It was not the largest in the house, but it overlooked the garden, where there was a huge swimming pool. Sigrid loved it. She found it very cozy and could see herself living there for the rest of her life together with her children, her mother and her husband, because Astrid would soon get married and would want her own home. She took a long shower and then lay down. She thought about eating something, but fell asleep before even thinking that she would have to cook, for during her inspection of the house she had not seen any servants. When she woke up there was a blanket over her. She didn't see Flauber. She got up and realized that she was dressed in a nightgown. She had just come out of the shower and lay down with only a towel wrapped around her. Probably Flauber had changed her. Sigrid went to the window and opened the curtains. The sun was setting. I wonder how long I should have slept? She opened the huge closet and took out one of her new dresses. She changed, straightened her hair, and left the room. She stopped in the hallway wondering how she would find Flauber in that huge place. She decided to go to the kitchen to prepare something, because she suddenly realized that she was very hungry. When she got there, she was surprised to see some maids in the kitchen and Flauber cooking. When he, who had his head down, just raised his eyes and saw her, his gaze brightened. Sigrid felt more loved in that moment, than in any other she had experienced so far. Sigrid greeted the three maids who were there, looking shy, but greeting her warmly.

"What are you cooking Flauber?" Sigrid asked with a smile.

"Our dinner." He said and the maids held back their laughter. "But by the looks of it, I wasn't born for it." He said frowning and dropping the knife giving up his attempt for good. "Girls." He said turning to the maids. "Can you guys finish this for me? My wife and I will wait in the dining room." He said and made his way toward Sigrid.

"Isn't this dinner too early? We didn't even eat this early on the farm..."

Without answering Flauber took her by the waist and guided her into the dining room. As soon as he had settled her in her seat, he poured her a juice that was in the jar on the table and sat down as well.

"How are you feeling?" Flauber asked casually.

"I'm fine. But tell me why is dinner made so early here? And where were the servants when we arrived? We walked that whole mansion and I hadn't seen anyone."

"The servants have their wards. We didn't go there when we arrived. Then I went over there and invited them to continue working here. They were thinking that I would bring new people into their places. As for the early dinner, that's just for today. Because in a little while we will go to the doctor."

Sigrid looked at him curiously, but said nothing about it. She would since he wanted it so badly.

"How long did I sleep?"

"About twelve hours. But that's normal. We traveled a long time without stopping to rest. It was my mistake. I'm sorry."

"There is nothing to apologize for my love. And when are you going to pick up my mother and sister? They will love this place."

"I will accompany you to the doctor and maybe, depending on what he says, I will pick them up tomorrow. But I didn't want to leave you alone. Do you think I should call Rolfo to keep you company?"

"How long will it take you from here to there?"

"It's about five hours or so of travel."

"So you wouldn't be arriving tomorrow?"

"No. I plan to leave early tomorrow morning. But besides the trip I have to wait for your mother and sister to get ready.... Sigrid, you know that your sister might refuse to come, right?"

"She won't refuse." Sigrid said certain that her sister was dying to come to the city and find out how people lived there. "So you will arrive the day after tomorrow?"

At that moment the cook quietly advised that dinner was ready and Flauber said kindly that she could serve.

"Probably." Flauber replied as soon as the cook withdrew to send her helpers to serve the table.

"I do want Rolfo to keep me company." Sigrid said thoughtfully.

"I will speak to him."

Dinner was served and they enjoyed the variety and taste different from the foods they were used to in Texas. As soon as they finished dinner, they both thanked the cook and her helpers and complimented them and then left for the hospital. Rolfo was there. As soon as he saw them he came to meet them.

"The doctor will be right with you. It will just be a few tests for today. No need to be anxious." He said, but his own voice was laden with anxiety.

"Everything is fine Rolfo." Flauber said friendly. "I wonder if you could keep my wife company tomorrow while I go pick up my mother-in-law and sister-in-law in Texas. I don't want to leave her alone."

"Sure. I'll keep her company, yes... We're moving here soon, too. And I think Sigrid will get along well with my wife. She's your age, and... She's been hanging out with strange people. And I think you will be a good influence on her." Rolfo spoke a little nervously.

"Of course. I will be very pleased to meet your wife. But what kind of strange people is she hanging out with?"

"She from two months ago..."

He was about to say when the arrival of the doctor interrupted him.

"That pretty girl must be Sigrid." The doctor said friendly.

"Yes. That's me. Thank you." Sigrid said turning red.

"Would you please come with me? You Flauber, you should wait here with Rolfo. Don't worry she is in good hands." He said when Flauber showed intention to follow them.

Flauber complied. But he was worried. Rolfo noticed and invited him to go to the hospital cafeteria for coffee. As soon as they sat back down in the hallway drinking their coffee, Flauber looked at Rolfo.

"Why didn't the doctor let me go in with them? I didn't want her to feel abandoned..."

"You have the nurses there to encourage Sigrid to be strong. She won't feel alone. Rest assured."

"Why does she need to be encouraged to be strong? Isn't it just some tests?"

"Sigrid's problem is in her blood, so they need to examine her marrow and unfortunately that procedure is painful. She will have other tests too, but this particular one is the most difficult."

"I had to be with her. She is pregnant. That examination could harm our child."

"Calm down. The doctor knows about her condition. He would never do anything that could harm the baby. Let's talk about something else. It's not good to dwell on it."

Flauber stared at him still with bitterness in his eyes, but it was passing as he thought about something.

"Why did you decide to move to Chicago?"

"I... I am responsible for managing your estate, and I think it is best that we stay close.... But there is another reason. My wife."

"Is she in trouble?"

"She got involved with some people I don't trust. These people are strange and they only walk around in black clothes as if they are in constant mourning and paint their nails red. Not only the women, but the men too. They have tattoos with symbols that the parish priest in my town has identified as demonic. Their clothes also display these symbols. And on some nights when they gather, they make sacrifices with cats and chickens. And on the night that I accompanied Delia in one of these rituals because she was too insistent, they killed these animals and passed their blood among them. Everyone drank. Delia wanted to too, but I didn't allow it and I will bring her as far away from those people as possible. She became different after she got involved with them. I don't want this for my life. If even bringing her here doesn't turn her back to the true faith, I will divorce her. This change is an attempt to save my marriage.

As soon as Rolfo finished his report, the doctor returned with Sigrid. She was a little pale, but nothing indicated that she had had a hard time. She snuggled into Flauber's arms and stayed there while the doctor talked about how long the tests would take to be ready and the precautions she should take, such as never going out alone because she might get dizzy. Then the doctor said goodbye and they went home and insisted that Rolfo stay with them, which was accepted after much insistence.