Shoshone Station: The Galactic Consortium season 2

Episode Seven: Homecoming #9

On Shaelynn's and Sophia's insistence, Mom called Dr. Brigham. She quickly agreed to see her that day. While waiting for Mom to get ready for the appointment, Sophia messaged Bankim.

He told her that unfortunately, no, his bio-enhanced eyes wouldn't work through a holo-projection; he would have to see Sophia's mom in person to say much about her condition. He had no training with x-rays or lab tests and wasn't sure how much he could tell from them. Sophia thanked him for his time and vowed she would redouble her efforts to get her mom to come to the station.

To Sophia's surprise, Dr. Brigham turned out to be a young woman. She had dark hair that she wore long behind her back, but not braided. She was Mormon, new Order, not their own Order. She thanked both Shaelynn and Sophia for coming.

"I know it's only been a couple weeks," she told Mom, "but let's grab another x-ray, see if there's been any growth."

Mom nodded, her eyes fearful.

"I will go with," Shaelynn said.

"No," Dr. Brigham contradicted quickly. Then, "The nurse will be with her. It's right around the corner. She'll be okay."

Shaelynn gave Sophia a look and sat back down.

As the door shut behind them, Dr. Brigham said, "I wanted to talk to you two alone, see if I can find out what's really going on. Why hasn't she scheduled an appointment with the oncologist? Doesn't she realize this is serious?"

"She does," Shaelynn said. "It's just, Dad isn't sure we can afford it and . . ."

"Insurance should cover that. If not, there are payment plans for what they won't cover."

"The elders," Shaelynn interrupted, "say it's God's will."

Dr. Brigham stared at her, lips pursed. "Good grief!" she snapped, looking angry. She shook her head. "I'm sorry. I just . . . you will find heaven when you die. I believe that. Not before. How soon that comes for your mother? . . . She needs treatment. And soon. Now."

"It's complicated," Shaelynn said.

"No, it's bullshit," Sophia growled. "It always is. When people say it's complicated, it's because they don't want to just say it. Dad's been offered a new wife. Neither he nor the elders care about a middle-aged first wife."

"Zach," Shaelynn cautioned.

"It's true and you know it," Sophia shot back. "If we could convince her . . ." She turned to Dr. Brigham and started again, "I work—"

"On the station," Dr. Brigham finished for her. Sophia stared at her in shock. "I watch TV. And I've been very interested in that wing. I've seen you in interviews. I didn't know . . ." She gestured at Sophia, and Sophia wondered what the end of that sentence was supposed to be. That she was an ex-Mormon? That she was transgender, had been born Zach? "I can tell just by the x-rays, by how fast it's growing, that it's malignant, and very invasive. Every day we wait the prognosis gets worse."

The door opened, and Mom came back in. The nurse gave Dr. Brigham a worried look and said the results were in the system. The doctor turned to a computer screen in the corner.

Sophia looked at it, so primitive to her now. Only a year ago that would have seemed state of the art: x-ray results in minutes by computer. Now she was frustrated because this doctor couldn't simply look at her mom with bio-enhanced eyes and tell them exactly what was going on. Dr. Brigham's eyes darkened, and she turned to them. "I think you know what I am going to say."

"It's bigger." It was barely a whisper, and Mom avoided their eyes.

"It's bigger, yes," Dr. Brigham confirmed. "And in just two weeks." The words hung heavy in the air for a long moment. "You need treatment. We need to start soon. You really need to see an oncologist. Likely a surgeon. Combination therapy—that would be the best course, the best chance. Unless . . ." She looked to Sophia.