Out Of The Ballpark

Chapter 18

​We reached the hospital and Ricky and I ran inside as fast as we could. We ran for the elevator, but it was taking too long so we took the stairs.

​Lila was on floor 5. I remembered her floor, wing, room and exactly how to get there. So we continued running, nonstop until we reached the room. When we got there, dad mama and Reid were all there waiting for us and waiting for the doctors to bring in Lila. And a few minutes after we entered, there she was.

​I looked at Lila from my seat for a few minutes. She looked so mellow, like nothing was wrong. She looked at me, the same way I was looking at her, and we stayed that way for about a minute. Then I left so dad and mama could have so time alone with her. 15 minutes passed, then Ricky went in. Another 15, then Reid. Reid didn't take as long because he was little and scared and didn't know what to say. Then it was my turn, but I wouldn't go in until everyone went downstairs so they couldn't see me cry. So they left and I rushed in.

​There she sat again. Looking like she had nothing to worry about, no thoughts, like she was her usual self. But I know she wasn't. Before I could say anything, Lila looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, "Dana don't cry. I don't want you to be sad." That was probably the sweetest and most intelligent thing she's said. But it made me cry more.

"Lila I can't not cry. You're my only sister, and I've only been with you for 4 years. Honey this shouldn't be happening. I wish it was me, not you."

After that Lila looked at me with a shocked face on. "Take it back! I don't want you to die Dana!"

I replied with "Lila you don't get it. I can't live knowing you won't be here," I kept talking even though I was crying, "there will be so many things you'll miss, an so many things I won't get to see you do. If I could do something to make you better I would wish you never got cancer in the first place."

​It was silent then except for the sound of sniffles from both Lila and me. Then, something happened. Lila got up from her bed, walked over to me, and hugged me. I picked her up and laid her in my lap, and sang her my song I always used to.