SOON AFTER their return, Jake began chemotherapy. Lacey went with him. They were given booklets about cancer. Jake answered questions while a nurse filled out forms. She looked at him disapprovingly when he admitted to smoking, even though he had quit years ago. He had a blood test, and an hour later sat in a room, with other men and women, while bags of fluid drained into his body. Lacey sat beside him.

"This chemo," explained the attendant, "will attack the cancer cells. If it works, it will slow the growth. You can read about the side effects in these pamphlets, and you can call the doctor anytime with questions or concerns."

There was an unpleasant odor in the room. "What is that smell?" Lacey asked the attendant.

He shrugged. "The meds, I guess."

"Jake, do you smell it?"

He nodded, but didn't speak.

Jake signed up for a double-blind trial for bone strengthening medication. He didn't know if he was getting the medicine, or a placebo.

"Why are you doing that?" Lacey asked. "You should be asking for the real medicine."

Jake just shrugged. For years, in his business, he had been concerned about the tiniest details. Now though, he had no complaints, no questions, no comments regarding his care.

"I asked you a question, Jake."

"Look, Lacey. Maybe you should just stay home," he sighed.