My Last Summer

On the Road to Freedom

The house was a flurry of last-minute preparations as Alina zipped up her suitcase, her hands moving quickly but her heart heavy with emotion. She had spent the last hour with Holly, going over their plans, making sure everything was perfect. The excitement was almost too much to handle, but there was still the looming reality of her illness that lingered like a shadow.

As Alina was about to grab her suitcase and head out the door, her mom stepped into the room, her expression soft but serious. Her dad was right behind her, both of them with that familiar look of quiet concern that Alina had come to recognize ever since her diagnosis.

"Alina," her mom said gently, reaching out to place a hand on her shoulder. "Before you go, we just want to talk to you for a minute."

Alina paused, setting her suitcase back down and turning to face her parents. Her heart skipped a beat as she tried to brace herself for whatever was coming.

Her dad cleared his throat and spoke first. "We're so proud of you, honey. You've been through a lot, and we know how important this summer is for you. But we also need you to promise us something."

Alina's mom nodded, her eyes glistening slightly with unshed tears. "We want you to have fun, to make memories, but we need you to remember to take care of yourself, too. Don't push yourself too hard. If you start feeling tired, take a break. Listen to your body."

"We know how stubborn you can be," her dad added with a small smile, trying to lighten the mood. "But this time, you need to be careful. This summer isn't just about fun—it's about your health too."

Alina swallowed the lump in her throat, feeling the weight of their words settle over her. They were right. As much as she wanted to forget about her cancer, to live like everything was normal, she couldn't. She had to be careful.

"I promise," Alina said softly, her voice thick with emotion. "I won't push myself too hard. I'll be careful."

Her mom stepped forward, pulling her into a tight hug. "That's all we ask," she whispered. "We love you so much, Alina. We want you to enjoy this summer, but we also want you to come back safe."

Alina hugged her mom back just as tightly, her eyes stinging with unshed tears. "I love you, too," she whispered back. She could feel her dad's arms join the hug, enveloping her in a cocoon of warmth and safety. For a moment, she let herself relax into it, savoring the feeling of being surrounded by their love.

After what felt like a long time, Alina finally pulled away, wiping her eyes quickly. "I'll be fine," she said, trying to inject some cheerfulness into her voice. "You'll see. I'll come back with stories and a tan."

Her dad chuckled, reaching out to ruffle her hair. "Just don't forget the sunscreen, okay?"Alina laughed, feeling a bit of the tension lift. "Deal."

With that, she grabbed her suitcase and headed for the door. Before she could step outside, though, she turned back to her parents one last time. She rushed over, giving each of them a kiss on the cheek and hugging them hard.