MY FOREVER LOVE

for a stir fry while rice cooked in the pot. The rhythmic motions of cooking helped s

sat down to eat. She pushed broccoli around her

ent." She didn't mention the uneasy fee

etched out on the couch while Ariana sorted through mail th

outine for President Harris

ce. She began running through basic warm-up stretches as Ariana watch

e. Ariana motioned for Kiara to stay bac

she called th

ss Ross," a male

an holding a small package. She opened the door just enough to ac

urn address. Ariana shook it g

?" Kiara asked, he

, Ariana carefully cut the tape

slow breath. "

e it to Martin first thing." She set it on the

e Ariana sketched rough ideas for the Sebastian's mural, though her heart wasn't

ccasional car pass outside. After an hour, she got up for a glass of water and found

iana asked as she

king about that truck at the wareh

w more tomorrow." She reached for the

then turned back to Kiara. "Try to get som

hug before heading back to bed. Ariana check

_

ou're going back to school today," she said, pull

eyes. "But what about the U

t." Ariana tossed a clean uniform onto Kiara's bed. "I

scowling. "Thi

Ariana said simpl

ile smell of antiseptic filled the air as she walked through the automatic doors. At the

ng with any patient. "I'm afraid his heart failure has progressed," he said, adjusting hi

dropped. "How muc

care or immunosuppressants." The doctor hesitated. "And even with the mone

counter to steady herself. "W

expression sa

g the edge of the medical file on the desk between them. The o

andle your grandfather's case," Dr. Raphael said, tapping the file. "But

tout peeking from the folde

ly to assess cases." Dr. Raphael removed his glasses. "Even if acce

rs in her head - her art sales, Kiara's scholarship stipend, the dwin

he consult?"

t know its location." Dr. Raphael hesitated. "There's a saying amo

her jeans. "Then I'll

an Harris's number. Her thumb hovered over the call button. The morning sun reflec

back in her pocket - for now. First, she'd try the official channels. The Merc

" the woman said without looking

ndition. The pen scratched against the paper as she wrote, each word feeling increasingly ina