An Angel's Tail

Chapter 42

Honey's health quickly began to decline over time, yet she still managed to keep her energy for a while. She could still take care of her children, help out around the house, and of course, work on her momentos for loved ones. Eventually, she began to lose her energy, and Shannon took over taking care of the baby while Brad took care of her. Dad and Michelle moved in temporarily to help around the house, and do whatever was needed for Honey and her family. Despite how sick she was, however, she still managed to spend every waking moment with the ones she loved. Everyday, people dropped by to visit, spend time with her, give her and all of us gifts and care packages, and even pray for us. Jessica and Emily visited everyday, and Emily spent the entire time snuggled up in Honey's arms. Honey always talked to her, sang to her, and even made her laugh. Jessica worried sometimes that seeing Honey slowly fading would be too much for Emily, but Emily said she didn't mind. She just wanted to spend as much time with Honey as possible, proving what a strong, brave, and selfless girl she was.

In the midst of all of this, I tried my hardest to keep a brave face for Honey, doing my best not to let her know how much this killed me. I helped out in any way I could. I fed the bird, who could sense something wasn't right with Honey, and often cried in his cage. It was so hard to see him so upset, especially knowing the reason. Honey always asked me if I was okay, and I would always lie and say I was. However, at night, I would snuggle up with my Honey doll and sweater blankets and cry myself to sleep. In the middle of the night, I would often feel someone's arms around me, and I would hear what I thought was Honey's voice singing to me and comforting me. I wasn't sure, though, since I was always asleep. Maybe it was just a dream, I always told myself.

Then, one night, as I was sleeping, I felt the same sensation of somebody's arms around me, and I heard Honey's voice again. This time, I opened my eyes to see Honey lying right next to me, holding me tightly with her tail around me, and she was singing to me while caressing my body and running her fingers through my hair. I immediately went back to sleep in the comfort of her embrace.

The next day, as I was leaving the bathroom and heading for the living room, I glanced over toward Honey's room. She was lying awake in bed, but she looked peaceful. I turned away immediately, so she wouldn't see the sadness in my eyes.

"Baby?" she called out softly.

I stopped, but didn't turn around.

"Please come in here for a minute," she said sweetly.

I tried to hide my sadness, and put on my brave front as I turned to enter her room. "Yeah?"

"Come here, Baby," she said sweetly. "Come lay with me."

I climbed into bed with her.

"Come here, Baby," she said as she pulled me close, wrapping her arms and tail around me. "I'm gonna ask you something, and I want you to be completely honest with me. Are you really okay?"

I couldn't answer. I opened my mouth to speak, but I couldn't say anything.

"Baby... I know you've been putting on a brave front for me, because you didn't want me to know how you're really feeling. I know you do that, because you don't wanna hurt me. I've been watching you struggle to keep it together for me, and I overheard your conversation with Kitty at the picnic."

Oh, shit, I thought.

"I wish you would've told me how much this was hurting you."

"Why?" I asked. "What's the point? There's nothing I can do to change things."

"No, I mean... when this all started. Why didn't you tell me, Baby?"

"Because..." I said as I began to cry, "I didn't want you making a choice that would hurt you just to make me happy... and I didn't want you to feel guilty for the choice you did make. You've always been there for me. You helped me through one crisis after another, and... and..."