Sara Beth-

[KissMyGrits]

This is based on the song by Rascal Flats. The name of the song is Skin.
How will Jack and Janet handle their daughter's illness? Will it bring them together? Will it tear them apart?

Sarah Beth is scared to death
To hear what the doctor will say
She hasn't been well
Since the day that she fell
And the bruise, it just won't go away
So she sits and see waits with her mother and dad
and Flips through an old magazine
Til the nurse with the smile
Stands at the door
And says will you please come with me


Jack and Janet are sitting in the waiting room. They are there with their only child. Sara Beth is the apple of their eye. She is a Senior in High School. She has Jack's hair color and his sense of humor. Her mom says that they are like two peas in a pod. She is on the honor roll and she volunteers at the hospital. She wants to be a nurse like her Aunt Terri. About 3 months ago she fell while she was playing basketball. The bruise has been there since then. So they are in a doctor's office waiting to see him. Jack and Janet look at other with nervous stares. When the doctor calls her into the room. They had performed all kinds of tests. They were here for the results. The doctor sat them all down and said "Sara Beth, Janet, Jack. The results are back. I'm afraid that it isn't what we wanted to see."

Jack looks at the doctor and swallows as he says "Please tell us doctor! What is wrong with our daughter?" His voice is choked with emotion. You can tell that this is tearing him apart.

The doctor looks them in the eyes and says "I'm afraid Sara Beth has leukemia."

For a moment their whole world stops. Janet starts crying. Jack feels his heart race. Sara Beth simply stares ahead. Not quite sure what this means. Finally Jack says "What are her chances doctor?"

The doctor stares at them and says "We are going to give her the strongest treatment we can! It is a new treatment. I am confident that we caught it in time."

Sarah Beth is scared to death
Cause the doctor just told her the news
Between the red cells and white
Something's not right
But we're gonna take care of you

They walk out of the room and see Terri. She rushed there to be with them. She sees that they have been crying. Jack explains what they were told. Her heart drops and she tries to put on a brave front for them. She looks at Sara Beth and asks "Wanna go get some ice cream and talk?"

She nods and says "I really need to talk Aunt Terri!" Terri looks at Jack and Janet. They nod and she goes with Terri leaving a stunned Jack and Janet looking at their retreating backs.....

Okay, give me your honest opinions....Should I continue?

[Heart Shaped Box]

Aww..that is soo sad! I actually saw those lyrics on my friends binder one day and I thought it was a really sad song. I'd really like you to continue though, please!

[Janet Tripper]

YAY!!!! ANOTHER JACK AND JANET STORY!!!!!!!Thanks your stories are always so WONDERFUL and a Joy to Read!!! Please do continue...

[MrsRitter]

this song is so sad! i love the story!

[Number 9 Dream]

I love it too! Please continue!

[jackslovelady]

Yeah. It is really really amazing, so sad but really good.... An awesome start. Please continue!!!! I love it!!!

[KissMyGrits]

Six chances in ten, it won't come back again
With the therapy we're gonna try
It's just been approved, it's the strongest there is
And I think we caught it in time
And Sara Beth closes her eyes.

Terri and Sara Beth walked down the street to an ice cream shop. Terri smiled as she looked at Sara Beth. She loved her like she was her own daughter. She and her husband had 4 children. They were all boys and so Teri loved spending time with her. She took her shopping and they talked about boys all the time. She was the first one that Sara Beth told about the boy at school. He asked her to go steady with him a few months ago. They had been friends for years.

They sat in a quiet corner in the ice cream shop. Sara Beth had tears in her eyes. She didn't really understand what the doctor had told her. She knew that her Aunt Terri would be able to explain it to her. She asked her "So, what are my chances Aun Ter?"

Terri smiled a sad smile as she said "You always get right to the point." She sighed and said "Well, you are a fighter. You need to fight this with all you have. I can't say that you will beat it, but your chances are excellant. Your doctor is one of the best in the country."

Sara Beth smiled and closed her eyes.

And she dreams she's dancing
Around and around without any cares
And her very first love is holding her close
And a soft wind is blowing her hair

Meanwhile back at Jack and Janet's house they are sitting on their couch and holding each other. Janet is crying and blowing her nose. Jack is simply staring into space. They were devastated to hear the news. Even though Terri had warned them this could happen, they never actually thought that it would. Janet as the question that no one knew the answer to "Is she going to be okay Jack?"

"I hope so pumpkin! I really hope so!"

Janet looked him in the eyes and said "I am glad that she has Terri to talk to!"

Jack smiled sadly and walked into the kitchen. He started taking pots and pans out of the cabinets. He started slamming them on the counter. This caused Janet to come running and she screamed "What are you doing?"

"I need to let some of this anger out! It not far Janet!! She is so young! She shouldn't have to worry about this! She should be worrying about which college to go to!!"

Jack lost it and started crying. Janet walked over to him and held him. They cried together.....

[Number 9 Dream]

AWWWW, omg this is sooo sad Poor Trippers

[jackslovelady]

This reminds me of the movie... A Child's Wish with John in it....so sad...fabulous job Michelle....please update soon!

[Moonlight Lady]

Oh man, it's really sad, but, very good. I hope you do continue.

[Janet Tripper]

WOW!!! This is so sad!!!! But ever so good!! Please continue it!!!

[Heart Shaped Box]

Aw..this is really sad already. I can see that this is definitely going to be a tear-breaking story. I really hope you do continue though.

[KissMyGrits]

Sarah Beth is scared to death
As she sits holding her mom
Cause it would be a mistake
For someone to take
A girl with no hair to the prom

For, just this morning right there on her pillow
Was the cruellest of any surprise
And she cried when she gathered it all in her hands
The proof that she couldn't deny

Sara Beth had been having chemo for almost 3 weeks. This morning she woke up and saw some of her hair had fallen out. The worst part was that as she took a shower that morning more came out. She had beautiful long hair. Now it was coming out in clumps. She was sitting on her bed crying when Janet walked in. She rushed over to hold her. Sara Beth grabbed ahold of her mom and cried a river of tears. Janet felt so helpless. When she was done she looked at her mom and said "I have to call Josh. I can't go to the prom like this!!"

Janet looked at her daughter and said "Sweetheart if Josh cares about you like I think he does it won't matter to him."

Sara Beth smiled as she said "Well, it would be a mistake. Everyone will laugh at him and at me. I should just stay home that night with you and daddy."

Janet started to say something but Sara Beth interuppted her by saying "I am tired mom. I need to take a nap."

She laid down on her bed and cried some more. When she felt better she decided to call Josh and talk to him. He answered on the second ring. Her heart broke when he picked up the phone. She cared for him so much. "Hi Josh! It's Sara Beth!!"

Josh was happy to hear from her he said "Hey Sara!" He never called her Sara Beth, he said it was too much of a mouthful. "What's up?"

Sara Beth took a big breath and said "Josh, about the prom..."

He smiled and said "I have my tux all picked out. My mom was more excited than I was. I can't wait."

Sara Beth frowned and said "Well, I am not sure if I am going to go or not. I mean... Well, this morning...."

She couldn't finish and she said a quick good-bye and hung up the phone. Josh stood looking at the phone for a few minutes. Finally he picked it up and called his mom. "Hey mom! It's Josh! Yeah, Sara Beth just called me. She said something about not going to the prom. Can you talk to her for me?"

Josh's mom smiles and we see that it is none other than Terri. Terri frowns and says "I'll try."

Josh smiles and says "Thanks mom! I know she will listen to you!! Your the best!!"

Terri laughs and says "I try!!"

Terri gathered up all the courage she had and drove over to Jack and Janet's house. She knocked on the door and Janet answers the door. She smiles when she sees that it is Terri on the other side. She says "What a nice surprise. I could use a visit!!"

Terri smiled and said "Well, I would love to visit. But, I have been asked by Josh to talk to Sara Beth. Is she awake?"

Janet nodded and Terri walked up the steps. She took a deep breath and walked inside the room. She saw Sara Beth curled up in a ball on her bed. She walked over and sat beside her. Sara Beth sighed and said "Hi Aunt Terri!"

Terri laughed and asked "How did you know it was me?"

"I knew Josh would call you!"

"So what is this I hear about you not going to the prom?"

"I am loosing my hair Aunt Ter! I can't embarass Josh like that!!"

Terri looked at Sara Beth for a few minutes. Finally she said "I think you should let Josh be the judge of that. Remember when you two were about 4 or 5? Remember what Josh did to his hair?"

Sara Beth smiled as she remembered the time that Josh had gotten ahold of his dad's hair trimmer. He proceeded to carve a huge chunk of hair from his head. He had a reverse mohawk! Luckily they were able to trim all the hair off.

"Okay Aunt Terri! Can you tell him about my hair?"

"Sure sweetie! So you'll go to the prom?"

Sara Beth smiled and said "I'll go. I'm still scared, but I'll go!!"

Terri smiled and hugged her and went downstairs to talk to Janet!

[Number 9 Dream]

Awww, poor Sara Beth This is really sad!

[Moonlight Lady]

This is really good, I feel bad for Sara Beth though.