Chapter 117

Ricky addressed Irene as 'Sis' the instant he stepped through the front door, but Irene remained impassive, and was certainly unaffected by that title. "Why did you want to see me?" "You're a doctor, aren't you? You must know people," Ricky said tearfully. "You have to ask them to help Dad. His condition is very serious, and he won't survive for long if he doesn't get surgery." The usually haughty boy appeared despondent, just as Irene stiffened. She had a hunch, but it still struck her like a truck to find out that it was reality. "What did his doctor say? What's his condition?" she asked quietly. "Malignant brain cancer. It's metastasized to his lungs," Ricky replied. Irene was stunned. "W-What?" "You have to get him the best doctors, Sis. There might still be hope," Ricky cried anxiously. Irene, however, knew that the cancer had advanced to a very late stage if it had actually begun to metastasize, and not even surgery could help much. As she became silent, Ricky demande