Fiction under 250 words.
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“So, what do you think yours says?”
Mary glanced over at the woman sitting on her right. She was pretty, long black hair, light brown eyes but she was very, very pale. Mary shrugged and issued a long-suffering sigh. “I’m not sure. I don’t have a history of breast cancer in my family so I’m hopeful.” And she wasn’t really worried. She had always been lucky, with her health, her career – life was good.
The woman visibly swallowed and nodded once. “Unfortunately, I do. In fact, my grandmother and my aunt both died just a few years ago. Months from each other in fact.” She shot a bitter smile at Mary. “Our family hasn’t had the best of luck.”
“I’m so sorry.” Mary resisted the urge to pat her hand. She had never been very good at offering comfort; at least, that’s what her husband always told her. “I’m sure your test results will come back negative.” Mary tried to instill a note of confidence in her voice but deep down, she wondered if the woman was doomed, like the other females in her family.
“Mary Brown?” asked a heavyset nurse with bad teeth.
“Well, that’s me. Good luck.”
“Yeah, you too.”
Doctor Evans walked into his office and sat down behind his desk.
Mary smiled at him.
He did not return her smile.
“I went over your test results,” he said in low, serious tones. “And I’m afraid I have some bad news.”
Mary’s luck had run out.
Write From Karen 