“Dad, what the doctor said?” Elisabeth asks as soon as she pulls away from my embrace. I stare at Wilmer as he walks closer to us. He sits on the edge of the bed and smiles but it’s a fake smile, I know that so well. He looks at me then turns to Elisabeth but doesn’t say anything. His silence is killing me.
“The doctor says you need to stay here for a few days.” Wilmer finally says, looking at Elisabeth. The girl’s eyes glitters and Wilmer quickly lays beside her, wrapping his hands around her tightly. “Don’t cry, I will stay with you all the time. I won’t let them hurt you.”
“Am I going to die?” Elisabeth asks as the tears starts running down her cheeks. I feel my own tears running down my cheeks but I quickly wipe them away. I know that something is wrong but he isn’t telling the truth. His eyes issued him.
“No, of course not.” Wilmer shook his head. “You’re going to be okay, I promise.” He sighs and kisses her hair. “Demi, you should go home. It’s late.” He changes subject but I shake my head. I don’t want to leave. No, I can’t leave them.
“I will stay.” I say but Wilmer shakes his head. He stands up and walks closer to me. I turn to Elisabeth, who is staring at her dad. She probably doesn’t want that I would go home…
“You’re going home right now. You can come in the morning if you want to.” He says seriously and I finally agree. I stand up, walk closer to Elisabeth and give her a tightly hug before I pull away and kiss on top of her head.
“Maybe you want me to buy you something?” I ask. “I can buy you a book, an ice cream or something.” I add as she smiles to me.
“No, I just want to see you here tomorrow.” Her words make my heart melt. This girl is the sweetest, I swear. I give her another kiss before turning back to Wilmer.
“I will accompany Demi outside, okay?” Wilmer asks. Eli nods her head and waves to us as we leave the room. As soon as the door closes behind us, I can see tears in Wilmer’s eyes again. Don’t cry Demi. Don’t cry.
We sit down on the chairs as he pulls me into his embrace. I can hear how fast his heart is beating and it makes me worry. I pull away from him and put my palms on both his cheeks. I make him look at me. His eyes break my heart but I try to stay calm.
“What’s going on?” I ask simply. Wilmer stays quiet for a moment, he just stars into my eyes.
“She has a renal impairment.” Wilmer whispers and closes his eyes. “Somehow we haven’t understood that before and now she needs a donor. God, my girl can die, Demi.” He wraps his hands tightly around me. I can’t help but start crying too. It’s not really happening, is it?
We sit there into each other’s embrace crying silently. I can just imagine how Wilmer feels. Elisabeth is not my daughter, but the news broke my heart… Wilmer is probably in shock.
After a few moments we pull away and both wipe our tears away. “Let me stay.” I say but he shakes his head. I groan: why the hell he has to be so stubborn? I want to oppose but he starts talking first.
