All Too Late

Kathleen entered a restaurant and ordered herself a plate of vegan pasta.

After her meal, she soon left to visit Benjamin who was admitted to the nearby hospital.

Kathleen couldn’t help her rising concern as she observed the unconscious form of Benjamin through the window of his hospital room.

“My brother’s condition has been stable since early this morning,” Gemma uttered from behind Kathleen.

Kathleen turned to face Gemma, who was dressed in her nurse’s uniform and balancing a tray between her hands.

“When will your brother be regaining consciousness?” queried Kathleen cautiously.

Gemma’s expression darkened as she replied, “The doctor says that it’s still too early to tell.”

“Why not try consulting the opinions of other specialists?”

“It’s all right, Kathleen. There’s still time,” Gemma comforted. “By the way, how was your experience volunteering?”

“It was such an eye-opener! I learned so much from it,” Kathleen enthused.

Gemma smirked. “I watched your speech just now during my break. You were pretty amazing out there.”

“By the way, why the sudden interest in individuals with autism?”

“Well, my foster brother is autistic,” said Gemma grimly.

Now that is new.

“My foster parents come from pretty wealthy backgrounds. They adopted me as I had seemed pliant and obedient. Their hopes were that I would comply with their wishes to look after their son once they were gone. Their plan was for both of us to marry by offering me their inheritance as an incentive. They then threatened to disown me if I were to refuse,” said Gemma drily.

Kathleen was stunned speechless.

“I overheard all this when I was in high school. If I were to go against them, they swore never to pay for my tuition fees and daily expenses. Gaining admission into a university would have been a lost cause.”

“That’s preposterous!”

“Consider yourself lucky, Kathleen. Truly. I’ve gone through the worst of it all, and things barely faze me these days,” advised Kathleen with a wry smile.

Kathleen gripped Gemma’s hands anxiously. “What happened after? How did you make it out?”

“Thankfully, my brother was already a policeman back then. He located me and sponsored me all the way till graduation.” Gemma smiled fondly.

sympathy welled up within Kathleen, her eyes

brother will be

Kathleen pursed her lips.

Gemma was right.

indeed very

family had always treated her with

time. “Duty calls. I will catch you

around!” Kathleen

final parting glance at Benjamin’s room, Kathleen departed from the

day after the hospital visitation, Kathleen met up with Federick to finalize the

Frederick!

it. I completely understand.” Frederick offered a gracious smile while handing over the

she perused the terms. “You’re willing to pay this

You still haven’t seen how much maestros earn from their work. Yours is

thousand has already far

you be able to complete your work within three

nodded enthusiastically while signing the

stipulate that one-third of the sum will be first transferred to you. It

treat you to lunch as a celebration

to rain check. I still

Whenever you’re free. I will be taking

“Sure. Take care.”

Kathleen departed with a faint smile plastered on

that Kathleen’s smile was indeed as warm and therapeutic as basking in the spring sunlight

was consumed by the thought

was getting paid for the first time

wasn’t much, but it was a significant milestone in her life worth

her glee

Old Mrs. Macari! But Old Mrs. Macari has everything she needs. Even so, a present won’t hurt. It’s merely a means of expressing care and

than fifty thousand in her bank

that, she

veritably glowing with joy as she

selecting several items, Kathleen decided to call

Kathleen’s voice

almost let slip a “Darling!” before righting

Macari,” she