Dusk & Dawn

20- hello, memories

I accepted his offer.

The next morning, I was better. I had woken up since the reflection of the sun started to creep into the room. But I didn't leave the bed, it was too comfortable and had his cologne in it.

By the time I got curious enough to know what Ezra was up to, I stood up and walked to the mirror on the wall. My hair was everywhere thanks to a peaceful slumber. My gaze flickered to his white hair clipper perfectly placed on his stand. I glanced back at my hair and tried packing them all together. I crumpled the part that fell out and put them in my pocket.

The door creaked open and once I found Ezra's reflection in the mirror, a smile crept onto my face.

"I tried waking you up for breakfast," he explained, casually walking into the room.

"Did you try pulling the curtains, that's the best way to get me up," I answered him watching as he stood behind me in the mirror.

"I'll do that next time." He answered, wrapping his hands around my abdomen. "Ready to spend the day with me?" He whispered into my ears.

"Absolutely," I smiled.

He soon left to go order in some food after placing some clothes on the bed for me. As I brushed my teeth after bathing, my gaze went to the mirror and i found a familiar red fluid streaming to the top of my nose and then falling into the basin.

What a time to be alive.

I headed out of the bathroom once the bleeding stopped and I got into the black shorts and a big green shirt that he had picked out for me. I took another look in the mirror and I realized how much I looked like Gianna that morning.

I turned my phone alarm off reminding me of a chemo session slated for tomorrow before I left the room for the living room. I found Ezra in the kitchen staring inherently at something in a small vintage ornate box.

"What are you busy staring at?" I asked him.

He seemed startled to hear my voice as he immediately closed the box and turned to me.

"Thought you had the day planned out?" I asked him, folding my hands behind me.

"Who says I don't?" He asked me, approaching me.

"I don't see the lights and the tv isn't even on," I prompted him and he smiled. The sound of the doorbell distracted us and he turned to me with another smile.

"Food's here, can you get it?" He asked me before turning back to the box. I headed to the door and pulled it open to find the pizza guy.

"Hello," I greeted.

"Your order says extra cheese?" He handed the paper for me to sign. I looked back at him and he wore a big smile and it was then that I got the joke. So I smiled back at him and signed the papers.

I felt muscles leaning into me before I felt Ezra's presence. I looked back to the delivery guy, his smile morphing into what seemed like a blank stare at the sight of Ezra. I collected the box and went inside, Ezra following me after closing the door.

"I think you gave him the wrong impression," I said to him as we settled on the couch.

A smile etched on his lips as he didn't turn to face me, "no I didn't."

Ezra had fallen asleep by the time the movie ended. I grabbed my phone and took a picture of him. I then clicked on a message from aunt Kate wondering what it could be about.

• I'm on my way to your school
Text me the address to your apartment.

I replied her text and grabbed a marker pen from the top of the refrigerator and left a note for Ezra.

By the time I got to my apartment, aunt Kate was already in the driveway in mom's car. Somebody else stepped out the car and I filled up with excitement as Gianna approached me. She soon started to run and I pulled into her embrace immediately.

"How're you?" She asked me.

"Better than last time," I replied as I patted her hair.

I took them both into my apartment and realized that none of my friends were home. Gianna went straight to playing with Lane while aunt Kate led me into the kitchen for a conversation I knew I wasn't ready for.

Aunt Kate approached me as I sat on the stool, she took out a syringe and an ample of a pain relief drug (analgesic) and withdrew it into the syringe. Like she knew exactly what my problem was. I whimpered in pain as she injected it into my bone.

"You don't think my decision is wrong, do you?" I asked her as I drank from the bottled water on the table.

She exhaled as she disposed the bottle and turned back to me.

"Look Raine. I can't say that I understand how you feel but what I cannot ignore is the pain that this whole thing is causing your Mom," she explained to me in a low voice because of Gianna who was just outside the kitchen.

"I don't want Gianna to end up just like me," I argued in my defense and her forehead wrinkled as a frown formed.

"Then don't let her. There are better ways we could go about this," she answered.

I know Mom doesn't have the money

I wish I could push it further but I just let it go. How could everyone not see the truth in my judgment. I know Mom perfectly understands what it is I was trying to say.

Dad's surgery didn't go well, we ended up mortgaging our house in Texas. It didn't stop there, Mom still had to pawn all of her expensive jewelry so we could afford everything we have in this town.

How tell me, how am I supposed to go for a costly surgery when I'm not even guaranteed 50% success rate? I don't want my family ending up in a mess if something goes wrong.

I looked back at Gianna who brought Lane into the kitchen and I was happy to see her happy. I was happy that small things like a cute puppy still brought her joy.

I'd trade my life with hers, without a blink.

Nov 23rd