The Edge of Despair

ittle pa

ghtens the patients. Nurses scramble to calm them, but fear hangs in the air

walks out, his e

"but if you really want to help your son, then g

s out. Then another. And then... rapid, violent bursts

feet. The sound

res from his small body, scoop him up and cradle him against your chest. The

e, and death. You try to block out the images-the woman with a

you s

men, slumped against the wall. Her brea

barely a whisper. "It'll lead you to the

a second. "Wh

I'm already gone. Don

illed with tear

ike a miracle-you make it outside with Mason in your arms. You run, gasping f

ling over. Relief floods through you as paramedics take Mason from y

asleep in the chair beside his bed. When morning

's no tim

han you can afford. Your savings are gone-burned by a wife

ou hea

er-in-law says, smug as ever. "How's my grandson doi

. "How did you even

's all over the

u again. "Are they here

mother-in-law chimes in, "O

and walks away, c

says, folding her arms. "I came to fina

Celine-your wife, the woman who

ock tears. "I should never have married you, Edwa

slap, I've said I'm sorry. But please... let's no

rd his treatment. What do you expect me to

r son!"

s. And because he's our son, I'll h

hing. I'll do anything

ou sign them too, and I'll convinc

ou're bargaining ove

his well-being," she says

are at the lines, your vision blurring with

on," you

papers. "How do

. "Money?

ne, what are you

y family's money?" she sneers. "Wow. Yo

est tighten. "Yo

You're his father. You

s and wa

," her mother says mo

broken. Betrayed. Th

says softly. "Ple

w him to

"The cancer is aggressive, and he needs surgery imme

s your hands to the wall, then pound it in frustr

tal. You don't know where you're

a famili

ar, laughing, stumbling

. "Is that

ou start

ila

prised. "Edwar

ess. "Kailah... I

ned? You look like you'

ce or the time," you say q

she asks, her

ick. Chest cancer. I need

Edward... th

whisper, break

kay... calm down, Ed

widen. "

lip. "I might. But I n

n. "Anot

gleaming. "You still look as fine as hell...

, I'm m

Does it reall

ck. "What d

voice like silk. "But you have