Chapter 35
0
Ο
I stopped for a beat, my mind racing. Then it clicked. It had to be because my relationship with Harlan wasn’t the same as before.
I was happy with how things were, so I didn’t feel the need to ask anything.
That night after work, I texted Ivan about meeting the brain specialist Elliot.
Ivan replied to me half an hour later this time. [Let’s meet after work tomorrow. I’ll bring Elliot with me.]
[I’ll book a restaurant.] I quickly typed back, already thinking of places.
Ivan agreed by sending an emoji, and I pocketed my phone. It was time to see Shane.
I stayed with Shane for a bit, just talking softly. He nodded off after a while.
I held his hand, which was so thin and frail. It felt like a punch in the gut seeing him like this.
Then I caught someone whispering, “What’s the deal with this kid? Why’s he only got his sister here? Where are his parents?”
Another sighed and replied, “Their dad lost his legs in an earthquake and their mom remarried. The sister raised the boy alone.”
I froze for a second and then pulled the blanket tight around Shane.
I was about to leave when Shane grabbed my hand. He mumbled, “Mom… Don’t leave me…”
My heart ached like it had been pricked by a needle.
No wonder Shane missed her. She hadn’t shown up even once since he got sick.
All children needed their moms, especially when Shane was only fifteen.
I stood there, staring at Shane for what felt like forever before I finally left.
The next evening, after work, I had the table booked and texted Ivan. It didn’t take long for him to show up with Elliot.
Elliot was a lean, middle–aged guy with really sharp eyes. I ordered a bunch of good food and chatted with Elliot for a while before bringing up my brother’s condition.
I could see Elliot’s expression getting more serious as I talked, and my heart sank along with it.
When I finished explaining, he said, “You need to be prepared. The surgery’s only got a fifty–fifty chance.”
I stayed quiet. Fifty–fifty wasn’t great, and there was still a risk of not making it off the table.
But it was better than nothing.
Elliot and I went to see Shane and talked to the hospital staff. In the end, he told me, “The surgery will cost around 300 thousand dollars. It’s best to do it within a month. The longer you wait, the higher the risk.”
300 thousand was a huge amount for me. My salary wouldn’t cover it.
Ivan suddenly spoke up. “Charlene, if you need it, I can lend you the money.”
I instinctively said, “No, thanks.”
Before I figured out what he was up to, I didn’t want to owe him any favors.
After talking with Elliot, we decided to transfer Shane to another hospital tomorrow and schedule the surgery for next week. I’d figure out the money somehow.
After everything was settled, Ivan drove me home
I thought about it and decided to text my irresponsible mom, asking if she could come see Shane.
It was Shane’s wish, after all.
I was afraid he’d regret it if he didn’t get to see her before the surgery.
When I got out of the car at my apartment, I was surprised to see Harlan and Tamara waiting.
Tamara’s face turned sour when she saw me. She asked warily, “What are you doing here?”
1/2
Chapter 35
I was a little confused and said, “I live here.”
Her face turned pale and awkward as soon as I said that.
2/2
