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.

when she saw me entered the room. “Mrs. Fuller, thank you for

eaten, so I agreed to stay and looked after Renee. Then, they excused themselves and went to the cafeteria. The emotion I felt when I looked at

gaunt face. It was heart-breaking to see such a lovely girl terribly emaciated because of cycles of chemotherapy

as I seriously pondered whether I should ask Ashton’s help for her treatments.

surprised to see me. “Ms. Stovall…” she called out my name with a

I wake you

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

are you thirsty? I’ll pour you

fine. Thanks, Ms.

smiled faintly and held her bony hand. My heart ached for her. “Are you

little kids, so we fell into silence. I noticed her gaze drifting from me

dying?” She

for me to 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, or even go to the

Her eyes sparkled