When There Is Nothing Left But Love

“Mrs. Fuller, you’re back from the trip,” Stella greeted me.

I was so mesmerized by her drastic change that I fell silent for a moment. After a while, I threw a smile at her and nodded. “Yeah. By the way, are you going out with someone? You look gorgeous.”

“You’re flattering me, Mrs. Fuller.” She blushed. We both laughed.

Suddenly, my phone rang. It was Sasha’s mother. I answered the call as I knew it was around the time that she would ask me for money for Renee’s chemotherapy.

Instead of the usual sobbing I was expecting, the woman sounded calm on the other end. Instead, she forced calmness into her voice and said, “Mrs. Fuller, are you free to come over? Renee wants to see you and thank you personally.”

She sounded rather unusual to me, so I asked in confusion, “Mrs. Brooks, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing. It’s just that Renee wants to express her gratitude for your generous support with her medical fees.”

I promised her I would stop by. I ended the call, bade Stella farewell, then headed to the hospital.

I hated the iodoform smell in the hospital, so I quickened my pace to Renee’s room. Both her grandparents were in the ward with her. They had aged considerably when I last saw them two weeks ago. Now, their wrinkles were more prominent, and they looked haggard.

up from her seat when she saw me entered the room. “Mrs. Fuller, thank

agreed to stay and looked after Renee. Then, they excused themselves

a pale and gaunt face. It was heart-breaking

treatments. Renee deserved the best

surprised to see me. “Ms.

wake

looked at me. “Where are Grandma and Grandpa?” she

lunch. Renee, are you thirsty? I’ll pour you a glass

Thanks,

and held her bony hand. My heart ached

from her sleep. I usually felt awkward around little kids, so we fell into silence. I noticed her gaze drifting from me to the ceiling

am I dying?” She finally broke the

breathe. I tried to suppress my tears and force a smile. “No. The doctor will cure you, and you will get well very soon. After that, you can run outside, play under the blue sky,

Her eyes sparkled