Characters' Origins, Volume 1 - Virginia "Ginger" Champson-Krieg vs. Terminal Cancer
Why has Virginia/Ginger Champson-Krieg been bald all this time she's seen Mark? What makes her feel obligated to be his wife? These questions have their answers, and she's sharing them.
Note: All characters belong to me.
One day, Mark noticed Ginger reading a book, "Cancer's Only Answer", that she found fascinating. "What is that, Gingie," inquired Mark. Ginger proudly smiled as she waved for him to sit with her. "It's a book discussing cancer," she said to Mark, who sat down next to her on the couch. Mark read part of the book, wondering why his wife happened to like the book. "Dr. Johanna Budwig? Who could that be," he inquired. Ginger sighed as she could tell that Mark's history books failed to honor her legacy. "That same woman is the reason I will treat cancer, and cure it," she said. Mark was taken back and astonished by his wife's more confident reply. "I've known that cancer is not permanent, but the fact a woman could have treated cancer does shock me," he said. Ginger calmly giggled as she heard Mark's stunned tone. "Actually, I owe my life to her, not just you," she said. "You're the first man to love me like this." Mark skeptically sized up his wife as he looked in her eyes. "Just how would you owe your life to the dead," he asked. Ginger solemnly looked him in the eye, as if nothing else mattered then and there. "It's a long story," she responded. Mark leaned closer and wrapped an arm around Ginger. "Please share it, Virginia," he responded.
Ginger quietly closed her book and stared at him. "Are you sure I should tell you my personal secret," she asked. Mark nodded and responded to her, "You're my wife: I want to know." "Before I met you on Valentine's Day, arguably when my life peaked, I was previously battling through stage 4 breast cancer, also known as the terminal stage. Poison, I mean chemotherapy, destroyed my counts, including the blood cells, platelets, and most of my general body. Then, when the cancer cells grew far too resistant to the drugs Big Pharma produces to kill us, I was planning out my suicide and felt unloved by another man, another reason why I was suicidal; no one loved me back then. I've been bald since the first cycle, and I can't grow anything on my head, thus making me uglier than a deformed, hunchbacked individual. I dropped out of high school, and was homeschooled ever since I had breast cancer. This was first developed when I was just 14, and I was hospitalized for months at the start. On my 17th birthday, Dad got me a book referencing Johanna Budwig and her signature mixture that cured the terminally ill! With nothing else to else, I tried the protocol for months, and I defeated my breast cancer. That, Mark, is why I owe both you and her my life," she said.
Mark felt devastated by the untold history he learned from his wife. "What," he asked in a sad tone of voice. Ginger frowned and hugged him, beginning to cry with the relapsed memories in full force. Mark dried up his wife's tears with his hand and held her in his arms. "Virginia, I never knew you went through all of that," he said. "I am blessed to have you as my wife." Ginger couldn't help but start smiling from his affection. "Oh, you're sweet, Mark," she said as she held him close to her. "I need you the most now: our firstborn will be coming soon, and it will be a son." Mark smiled at his pregnant partner and kissed her on the cheek. "How does it feel turning 20, Ginger," he asked. Ginger's eyes glittered as she answered, "I'm more excited with the present I saw earlier in the bedroom. Can you take me up there?" Mark grinned to his wife, who has grown to enjoy being carried in his arms. "I would love to; maybe I'll let you unwrap that big gift early," he teased.