Fifteen year old Maple Grace walked up the stairs of her house. Before she walked into the house Maple turned and waved to her teacher who had brought her home. Maple was let out early because she got sick.  She walked through her front door into the large front room. Water was running in the kitchen and Maple heard her mother humming.
  “Maple? Is that you?”
   “Yeah it is…”
       Mrs. Grace walked into the front room, her eyes wide with surprise. “Why are you home so early?”
  Maple threw her backpack onto the floor “I got sick during class and Mrs. Potter said I looked like I was going to faint. She drove me here after class.”
       “Well I'm glad she did!” Mrs. Grace grabbed Maple by the shoulders and ushered her to the sofa.     “You're shaking and as white as your Aunt Mollies hair. Lay down and I'll bring you some tea.”

    Instead of going to the sofa, Maple walked up to her room and fell asleep on her bed. She woke the next day to a pounding headache and a fever. Her two older siblings argued in the hallway as they got ready for school.
  “You probably have the flu.” Mrs. Grace said, “Give it a week and you will be better.”
        But Maple didn’t get better. Her headaches only got worst and whenever she stood up she was hit with an intense wave of dizziness. Her mother kept her home for two weeks. Then finally the on the following Monday, the headaches and fevers suddenly stopped and Maple could finally go to school. Finally! Maple thought as she walked into class. No headaches and no fevers.

      After school Maple went with her mom to the hospital to get a brain scan. Years before Maple had fallen off a tree and split her head. Now ever year she had to get a brain scan to make sure she was okay.  Mrs. Grace and Maple drove to the hospital and waited. When they came in Maple tried to hold her breath because the smell was horrible. Finally a doctor came and escorted them to a room where a large machine was that would scan Maple’s brain. Maple went through the regular routine of getting ready. She sat in the machine as her mother explained Maples sudden sickness to the doctor. Finally he said something that Maple couldn't hear. It must have been bad. She thought. Otherwise Mom wouldn't have gasped.  Maple didn't get too see the radiologist but she heard him frantically whispering something as she went through the last 2 minutes of the scan. When it was over she was able to get up and open her eyes. A tall man who could only be the radiologist sat in front of her. He was silent and seemed to be thinking hard finally he said.

         “I’m sorry.” Then looking directly at Maples confused and frightened face he added.
     “You might have brain cancer.”