Chad, TC, Eve and Simone are outside of Whitney’s ER cubicle, waiting for news. Theresa comes around the corner and runs to Chad.

” Chad! Is there any news?”, Theresa asked as Chad pulled her in for a hug.

” No news. We’re all waiting for the doctor to tell us what’s happening.”

” What happened?”

” Like I told you – she was in the middle of playing for a big point, and then she was out on the court. She didn’t wake up. At all.”

” Oh no.” Theresa goes over to TC and Eve. “ Dr. Russell, Coach, I’m so sorry.” They both hug Theresa.

“ Thank you, honey. We’re just hoping for the best.”, Eve said sadly.

“ Simone, how are you doing?”, Theresa asked.

” I’m worried about Whitney. We have our problems, but I never wanted to see her hurt.”

” I know you don’t. Whitney knows that too.”

Just then, the doctor came out of Whitney’s cubicle and over to TC and Eve.

” Doctor, what’s wrong with our little girl?”, TC asked.

” She’s resting now. We’ve run a complete battery of tests. You can go in to see her. When I have the news, I’ll tell you.”

” Thank you, Dr. Lardner.”, Eve said.

TC and Eve went into Whitney’s room.

“ Eve, she looks so weak. What can be wrong with her? She’s never had so much as a cold her entire life.”

” TC, we have to wait and see what the doctor says.”

“ I can’t imagine her being sick. I…I feel so helpless.”

” I know, TC.  I do too. But, we have to be strong – for Whitney’s sake.”

” Family is everything to me.”

” I know, Sweetheart. That’s why I love you so much.”

TC held Whitney’s hand as Eve brushed her hair.

Simone went up to Chad and Theresa. “ I’m going to get something to drink. I’ll be back.”

“ Theresa, thank you for being here. I needed you here. “  Theresa held Chad’s hand.

“ Chad, I wouldn’t be anywhere else, but here. “

“ Theresa, I know that we agreed to keep our relationship on the down-low, but..”

” Chad, I know. I wanted to work up to telling Whitney. We’ll tell her soon. But, she’s the top priority.”

” Of course, she is. You know, I had such a great day today.”

” Oh yeah. Your presentation. It went well?”

” I kicked butt. I was so happy. I was stoked when Doc suggested we go cheer on Whitney. And, now, it all seems a million miles away.”

” Whitney is going to be fine. She’s so strong and healthy. She’s an athlete. I’m sure this is nothing but exhaustion. You know Whitney. She’s a perfectionist, and she’s probably been pushing herself too hard.”

” I hope that’s all there is, Theresa. I hope so.”

Simone, Chad and Theresa relieved TC and Eve in watching Whitney. They forced them to go get something to eat. Just as they were returning back to Whitney’s room, TC and Eve saw the doctor.

TC rushed up to him. “ You know what’s wrong with my baby?”

Eve went into the room and told Simone, Chad and Theresa that the doctor was back. They all went into the waiting room.

“ Dr. Lardner?”, Eve asked.

“ The initial test results have come back. I have to ask – has Whitney been having nose bleeds?”

TC and Eve say ‘ No’, but Simone speaks up.

“ Yes. She’s had a few over the past month. She asked me not to say anything about them.”

Dr. Lardner shook his head.  “ I see.”

” Doctor?”, Eve asked.

He looked Eve directly in the eye. “ Her white blood cell count is terribly elevated.”

Eve gasped, and began to moan, ‘ No…no…no…” Tears form in her eyes. TC looks at Eve and demands, “ What? What is it?”

Eve shook her head and lowered it to the ground, but you could see the tears streaming down her face.

” What? WHAT is wrong with my baby girl?”, TC demands.

” Mr. Russell. I will have to do further tests, which should be back by tomorrow, but at this point in time, I would venture a diagnosis of leukemia.”

“ L…leukemia? Isn’t that…”

“ Cancer.”, Eve choked out.