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.

welled up within Kathleen, her eyes prickling with unshed

Kathleen. My brother will be fine,” Gemma

Kathleen pursed her lips.

Gemma was right.

was indeed very

treated her with respect

the time. “Duty calls.

Kathleen added with a

parting glance at Benjamin’s room, Kathleen

after the hospital visitation, Kathleen met up with

so sorry, Frederick! A-About yesterday…”

completely understand.” Frederick offered

widened as she perused the terms. “You’re willing

from their work. Yours

far

you be able to complete your work within three

while signing the contract. “I

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

treat you to lunch as a celebration

rain check. I still need to get some work done.” Federick chuckled

free. I will be

“Sure. Take care.”

too. Goodbye!” Kathleen departed with a faint

was indeed as warm and therapeutic as basking in the spring sunlight after a

firm, Kathleen was consumed by the thought

was getting paid for the first time

it was a significant

barely suppress her glee

has everything she needs. Even so, a present won’t hurt. It’s merely

thousand in her bank account

that, she was

glowing with joy as she entered

Kathleen decided to

innocence of Kathleen’s voice instantly dispelled any lingering

almost let slip a “Darling!”

she answered