Home is Not a Place

Chapter Five: Fragile Hearts

The soft hum of the hospital's air conditioning filled the waiting room, blending with the muffled sounds of medical equipment and distant conversations.

The Lower Keys Medical Center, located in Key West, is about a 20-minute drive from Mich's cottage in Sugarloaf Key. It is the nearest full-service hospital with oncology services and came highly recommended by Ethan's mother, who is a doctor.

Nina sat beside her godmother, holding her hand as they waited for the doctor to return with the results of her latest lab tests. She glanced over at Mich, who sat quietly, her face calm. Ninang Mich had always been a pillar of strength, even in the face of cancer. Her resilience amazed Nina, though she could see the weariness that the illness had brought.

"Nina," Mich's voice was soft but firm as she spoke, breaking the silence. "You know you've always been like a daughter to me."

Nina turned to look at her, feeling the warmth of the words but also sensing the seriousness behind them. She nodded, squeezing her godmother's hand.

"I love both you and Ethan," Mich continued, her voice steady but carrying the weight of something long left unsaid. "I've never made any excuses for what he did... what he did to you. And I won't start now."

The mention of Ethan's name sent a familiar pang through Nina's chest. She opened her mouth to speak but found herself unsure of what to say.

Mich's gaze softened as she continued, "But, now that you're here, I think... the two of you should talk."

Nina stiffened. "Ninang Mich, I can't-" her voice wavered as she tried to respond, the old hurt resurfacing, threatening to crack through the calm exterior she'd tried to maintain for so long.

"I know it's hard," Mich said gently, placing her other hand over Nina's. "And I would never force you. But you need to heal, Nina. You need closure. You both do."

Nina swallowed, the words stirring something inside her that she hadn't wanted to confront. She had spent years burying the pain, telling herself that moving on meant leaving it behind without ever looking back. But maybe her godmother was right. Maybe she needed more than just time to heal. Maybe she needed to face Ethan one last time-to finally close the door on that chapter of her life.

Her eyes stung with unshed tears, but she blinked them away, offering a small nod. "I'll think about it," she whispered. "I will, Ninang."

Mich smiled, her hand gently patting Nina's as if to say she understood. They sat together in silence again, waiting for the doctor. But in that silence, Nina knew something had shifted within her. Whether or not she was ready to admit it, she couldn't run from the past forever.

And maybe, just maybe, it was time to find closure.

###

After the doctor's appointment, Mich told Nina to go on ahead, as she'd be meeting a couple of friends nearby. "Don't wait up for me, dear. We're planning to go out for dinner, so I might be home late."

Nina left the hospital, her feet moving on autopilot as Mich's words echoed in her mind. The late afternoon sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the streets, but she barely noticed. She felt adrift, her thoughts swirling in an endless loop.

You need to heal, Nina. You need closure. You both do.

Before she knew it, she found herself in a small park near the hospital, a quiet place she hadn't even intended to visit. She wandered to a bench under the shade of a tree and sat down, the cool breeze brushing her face. She stared blankly at the people passing by-parents pushing strollers, afternoon joggers with their earbuds in, couples holding hands-but it all felt distant, like she was watching life unfold from the outside.