LOVES TRAILS: A JOURNEY OF FORGIVENESS

ke this," I said, pu

red, my voice

got a call from Lily's school. She's s

s calling, it had to be serious. I stood up, panic rising in me. "It's Lily, my little

tly, squeezing my ha

wouldn't feel so heavy. He used to take care of this stuff-the worrying, the rushing around. But Dad wasn't here. He was sitting in a prison c

en though they were only Nine. Mom worked long hours, so most of the time, I had to handle things on my

with anxiety. The nurse led me to Lily's bed, and seeing her l

ext to her. Her eyes fluttered op

e," she w

I asked the nurse

rse said. "It might be exhaustion, bu

is sick from just being tired? I sat by her side, holding her hand. S

he doctor say earlier-*leukemia*. The fear of that possibility stuck in my chest like a thorn. But when the

the room to take it. "How is she?"

y through the door. "The nurse said it coul

nd will come straight there. Hope Sam is with

ght now. "Yeah, I've got it," I said, trying to so

en worrying about us all day. "Jake, thank you for being here," she said, her voice tired but gra

ay, mummy, call me if anything changes. Sam needed some rest too. I kisse

ent away. I wasn't just a brother anymore-I was the one who had to keep things t

de a quick dinner, though my mind wasn't really on cooking. The house was too quiet. Usually, Lily's laughter would fill th

stable," she wrote. "But they're keeping her fo

fall apart. I had to be strong for all of them. But that didn't s

finally sit down, my phone r

trying to keep

d softly. "How's

The nurse thinks it's exhaustion, but they haven't found anyt

nt. "I'm so glad. This mus

. "It's... a lot.

, her voice gentle. "I wi

f the weight lift just hearing her voice.

she whispered. "If you ne

oking at the clock. "I should finish

are of yourse

managing a small smi

o the back of my mind. Just when I thought I could finally sit down, my phone