Our Living Nightmare: Surviving the Attack

Scared

I never thought at twenty I would be going from hospital room to hospital room visiting my parents just waiting for them to die. My mom was just diagnosed with lung cancer, one week after my dad was diagnosed with CAD, which is coronary artery disease. I didnt know what to do at first, but when I saw Rosie crying I knew I had to be strong and that I had to be there for her. It was nice because Ashton was there for me. Ash and I have been dating since i was fifteen, and he is about to leave because he is in the military, but in the meantime he is busy training me so I can protect myself. My parents absolutely love him, but its not that is going to matter. I visit whenever I can Im usually at the hospital from three until six in the morning or something. I spend the night while Rosie stays at her friend's house across the street. My parents dont bother trying to make me go home because they know nothing they say will stop me. I pick up Rosie after school and we get some food and head to the hospital, and then around six or seven my neighbors come and pick her up. Mrs. Cosby doesnt mind coming because she is really good friends with my mom, and this is hitting her just as hard as it is to me. Ashton will be up there with me when he doesnt have to go to work which is on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. He is up there for as long as I am, and its great having him there. The doctor came in to my moms room and said she just had a few days to a week to live. He then went to my dads room as I followed him and he said the same. Having both of my parents dying at the same time is unbelievable, but its happening. My parents Facetime on their phones alot, and by a lot I mean whenever they have the opportunity to. It has now been five days and I can tell that my parents only have a day or two left. Rosie is now up here longer, which Im okay because I cant stop her, I mean, she has as much of a right to her parents as I do. Today a bunch of family and friends came in to say their final goodbyes, and by the time they left I was worn out and so was Rosie and Ash. Rosie did not go to school, and Ash got work off, and my parents wanted to talk to the three of us, not as a whole but individually. We went to my mom first. She talked to Rosie, and then me, then Ashton. She told me to be strong, and take care of Rosie and I promised I would. When she was talking to Ash, I couldnt hear anything, but I saw my mom was crying.

ASH POV

Ashton, I love you like a son, and I want you to take care of my daughter, she said.

Mrs. Howe, I intend to take care of Rowan for the rest of my life, if you know what I mean, I replied.

Then you are going to need this, she said and handed me her wedding ring.

Oh no I cant possibly take this. Its yours you keep it, I said.

I cant possibly take any more use out of this ring, so I wanted it to be used for the intended purpose, she said starting to tear up.

Alright, if that is what you want, I said taking the ring from her hand.

Please take care of yourself while you're out there, she replied.

Oh I will dont you worry, I said. I then gave her a hug and got up from the bed wiping tears from my eyes and shoving the ring in my pocket. We then made our way over to her dads room, which is literally just across the hall. He talked to Rosie first and when he was done Rosie ran over to my leg and hugged it, I picked her up, and wiped her tears away, and then she laid her head on my shoulder while I hugged her. I cant imagine what a six year-old could be feeling right now, but what Rowan and I can do is be there for her and thats it. He got done talking to Rowan and she walked away bawling and I gave her a kiss on her forehead and handed Rosie over. I walked over and stood at the side of his bed.

Did she give it to you? he asked.

Yes sir she did, I said.

Good, he replied.