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Chapter 32
For a moment, we stood in silence, the years of distance between us heavy in the air. Then Vesta’s face brightened as she remembered something. “How’s your son?” she asked her voice full of warmth. The last time I saw him, he was just a baby. He must be, what a
teenager by now?”
Her question hit me like a punch to the gut. I felt the air leave my lungs as the ache I had buried deep inside rose to the surface. “He he’s gone, Vesta,” I whispered, my throat tightening. “He died.”
Vesta’s face fell, and her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh my God, Doris. I’m so sorry. I had no
idea.”
I forced a smile, though my heart felt heavy. “How could you have known? We lost touch.”
Tears welled up in Vesta’s eyes as she reached out to hug me again, this time softer, more carefully. I’m so, so sorry,” she whispered. “I can’t even imagine what you’ve been through.”
I didn’t cry. I had cried so many tears over the years that there were none left. Instead, I stood there, letting her hold me, feeling the weight of everything I had carried alone for so long. When she finally let go, Vesta wiped her eyes and looked at me with renewed
determination.
“You’ve been through so much,” she said softly. “But you’re here now, and I’m here too. We can figure this out together.”
I nodded, a flicker of hope stirring inside me. Maybe I didn’t have to go through this alone
anymore.
“After your checkup, why don’t we go for coffee?” Vesta suggested, her smile returning. “There’s so much I want to catch up on.”
Ihesitated, part of me wanting to retreat into the safety of my isolation. But another part, the part that remembered what it was like to have someone to lean on, wanted to let her
back in.
“Okay,” I said finally. “T’d like that.”
Vesta grinned, squeezing my hand once more before stepping back. “Great! I’ll meet you after your appointment. We’ve got a lot to talk about.”
As she walked away, I sat back down, feeling a strange mixture of emotions swirling inside. me–sadness, relief, maybe even a hit of hope. It wasn’t much, but it was enough. For now,
that was
all I needed.
As we walked out of the medical wing and into a long, bright corridor, memories of us, side. by side, taking on the world together, flooded my mind. We had been inseparable, like sisters. It was strange how time had pulled us apart, how life had taken us in different directions.
Her smile softened, and she reached out to gently touch my arm. “I’ve missed you too,
Doris. More than you know.”
For the first time in a long while, I felt the stirrings of something like hope. Maybe, just maybe, life wasn’t done offering me second chances. As we continued down the hallway, I realized that this could be the start of something new–a chance to rebuild what I had lost and heal the wounds I carried. With Vesta by my side again, maybe I could find the strength to face whatever came next.
Before I could say anything more, Vesta gestured toward a door at the end of the hallway. “I want to show you something,” she said, her voice bright with excitement. “It’s something I think you’ll really appreciate.”
I followed her down the hallway, curious about where she was taking me. The door we stopped at had a small plaque that read Kindergarten. Vesta opened the door, and the sound of children’s laughter spilled into the hallway. Inside, the room was filled with bright colors, toys, and the lively energy of children playing.
“These children,” Vesta began, her voice quieter now, “are part of a special program. Their parents have immunodeficiencies, and without this program, they wouldn’t have been able to have children. But thanks to the work we do here, they’re healthy and thriving.
I watched the children, running and laughing, unaware of the challenges they had overcome just to be alive. My heart ached as I thought of my son, how different his life had hen, how tragically short.
20.3%
Vesta must have noticed the look on my face because she touched my arm. “I know it’s hard, Doris. But these kids… they’re proof that life can still have beauty, even after loss.”
I swallowed hard, trying to suppress the emotions rising in my throat. “I think I’d like to help here. Maybe part–time?”
Vesta gave me a sad smile. “I thought you might say that. But it’s a complicated process, Doris. You’ve been through a lot, and I think you should get some rest first. When you’re ready, I’ll help you through the application.”
“I’ll think about it,” I said softly, giving Vesta a small smile. “Thank you for showing me this.”
Vesta returned the smile, though there was a trace of sadness behind her eyes. She squeezed my arm gently. “I know it’s a lot to take in. But I’m here whenever you’re ready.”
Vesta glanced down the hallway. “There’s one more thing I want to show you. It’s
important.”
