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 prickling with unshed tears over Gemma’s

worry, Kathleen. My brother will be

Kathleen pursed her lips.

Gemma was right.

was indeed

had always treated

the time. “Duty calls. I

around!” Kathleen added

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

the hospital visitation, Kathleen met up with Federick to finalize the terms of their

Frederick! A-About yesterday…”

about it. I completely understand.” Frederick offered a gracious

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

maestros earn from their work. Yours is good enough for a greenhorn

already far

able to complete your work within three

enthusiastically while signing the contract.

stipulate that one-third of the sum will be first transferred to you. It should be reflected in your bank account

treat you to lunch as a celebration of my achievement.” Kathleen

am afraid we’d have to rain check. I still need to

all right, Federick. Whenever you’re free. I

“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

consumed by the

was getting paid for the first time

much, but it was a

her

Mrs. Macari has everything

soon received slightly less than fifty thousand in her bank account

she

with joy as she entered the department

selecting several items, Kathleen decided

Kathleen’s voice instantly dispelled any lingering

a

she answered