With a groan, Dana collapsed onto her unmade bed.  After a week and a half of rigorous chemo, she officially felt like *****.  She was weak and could barely walk.  She couldn’t sleep.  She couldn’t keep her food down.  God, why does something that’s supposed to make me better make me feel so sick? Dana thought, using what little strength she had to roll over and turn on the radio of her bedside clock.

Laying completely still, the soothing sound of an antacid commercial in her ears, she willed herself to go to sleep.  Just as Dana was drifting off, a familiar voice made her wake up quickly. 

“This is Alice Pieszecki with this week’s edition of The Chart,” came from the radio, followed by the sound of a xylophone. 

Dana’s breath caught in her throat.  Alice. 

“Today’s topic will be ‘Getting Over Your Ex And Moving On.’  For those of you who don’t know, that’s something I’ve been doing.  I had adifficult breakup, and it was hard, but I’m learning to get past it.  I’ve found someone new, and things are a lot better for me now.  I’d just like to say thank you, Helena,” Alice said, as Dana scrambled to turn up the volume, her jaw tensing at the mention of Helena.

“Yeah, yeah, enough with the mushy stuff, right?” Alice continued, her musical laugh coming through the speakers.  “All right, now lets hear some of your stories!  Call me up and tell me how you managed to get over your ex and move on with your life.  Oh, and here’s our first call already.  Caller?”

“Um, hi,” the caller began hesitantly.  “Honestly, I still haven’t gotten over my ex.”

“And it’s been how long?” Alice asked.

“Three years,” the caller practically whispered.  “And I can’t move on.  I just can’t stop thinking about her.”

“That’s pathetic.  You do know that, right?” Alice replied, as Dana listened raptly.  “Okay, seriously.  Look, caller, you just have to forget about her.  Remind yourself that it’s over, and give up on the idea.  Go find someone else and have fun.  You can do it.”  Alice paused before adding, “I think too often relationships can start and stop and stumble along until there just comes a time to know that it’s never gonna happen again and both of you should move on.  Then it’s time to move on and get a fresh start with a healthy relationship.”