Luke knocked on the door of the Peters' home.
The door opened to reveal Reggie who asked, "Did we have practice I didn't know about?"
"Uh, no," Luke replied. "I'm here to see Ruth."
"Now really isn't a good time, Luke."
"Is everything okay?"
Reggie slowly shook his head. "No, it's uh, it's Ruthie."
"What's wrong with her?"
Ruth slowly walked down the stairs and gave a small, tired smile. "Hey, Luke. What are you doing here?"
"I wanted to see how you were. You've been really tired lately."
Ruth glanced at her brother. "Reg, you mind giving us some time?"
Reggie nodded and Ruth led Luke to her room.
She sat on her bed and crossed her legs.
Luke sat next to her and asked, "What is it, Ruthie?"
"You remember how I told the band I was going to the doctor?"
"Yeah. Did they find out what was going on with you?"
She nodded slowly and looked down at her hands. "I have leukemia. Um, stage three I think the doctors said. It's pretty serious. My parents are starting to argue more and- Luke, I'm scared."
Luke took her hands. "Ruthie, we'll be there for you. We'll figure it out, okay?"
She nodded slowly. "If I do die, don't pine after me too much."
"You're not going to die, Ruth."
"You don't know that."
"I don't not know it. Hey, Luke?"
"Yeah?"
Suddenly, all she wanted to tell him escaped her and she instead said, "Thank you for coming to check on me."
Luke nodded. "You're one of my best friends, Ruth. I'd do anything for you."