LOVES TRAILS: A JOURNEY OF FORGIVENESS

ce lighter. "The doctor didn't find anyt

th I didn't know I'd been holding. "T

told the nurse suspected. Lily needs to rest, but she's goi

tension started to fade. "

with Lily," she added. "Thank y

the living room, where Sam w

said, grinning as I

d, wide-eyed, l

e okay. She's comi

e lit up.

onfirmed, ruf

ay. I made sure Sam ate dinner and was settled before heading to my room. As

the first ring. "

growing. "The doctor says she's just exhaus

ta breathed. "I'm s

"Actually, I wanted to see if

urse!

uggested. "The coffee

d softly. "

feeling the excitement b

he agreed. "

and stress, a quiet evening with Anit

ext M

and that alone made everything feel lighter. I headed straight to the kitchen at about 6am to ge

nking about the afternoon shift I had later at work and our final exams tomorrow. I'd be rushin

creak open. Mom and Lily were home. I quickly wi

y face as I saw Lily looking much

med, looking tired bu

o," I said, giving her a gen

m said, looking a little surpr

" I shrugged. "Jus

ings felt normal. I knew I had work in the afternoon, and my responsibili

lock, counting down to when I'd see Anita again. That coffee café on Main Street

hought things were final

eting Emily at 7 p.m. at our favorite coffee shop. It was supposed to b

ager to finish my shift and see Anita. But then, just an hou

me home after work," sh

g to explain without getting into too muc

My manager just called's asked me to take the night shift because I wasn't

forehead, trying to think of how I was going to tell her. Mom was right, though. She nee

feeling the disappointment

ll Anita? She was probably already at the café, waiting for m

way?" she asked, sound

ita... I can't m

ong pause. "W

ve to stay with Sam and Lily," I explained, m

ng for you," she said, her voice colder

have a choice," I tried to

cel at the last minute," she said, her frustrat

let my family down," I said, my heart r

the one left waiting." Her voice wa

aded. "After our final exams to

but full of disbelief. "You always s

e me one more chance," I

e, and then, without an

dy at the coffee shop, and I had let her down again.

next. Tomorrow was our final exam, but now, I wasn't su

er give me l