Butterfly

Twenty Eight

Tomorrows the day.

Both mom and dad came today.

It's difficult having them both here but I can tell they're trying.

And that's enough for me.

Dad was flipping papers a lot, signing them and handing them away.

Mom was always talking to me, holding my hand, and trying to distract me.

"Who gave you the necklace and stuffed bunny?"

"My friend."

"Ah, You made a friend? Whats her name?"

"His name is Hobi."

"How much?!"

Both mom and I turned our heads to the other side of the room

The doctors were mumbling with dad.

"I can't pay for this."

I dropped my eyes.

Mom had fire in hers.

"What do you mean you can't pay for this?! You can't pay for your daughter's life?"

"The surgery will probably kill her anyways! So why pay for it?!"

"It's the chance, And you're not even wiling to try? Does she mean anything to you?!"

"She means money at this point! We're wasting all my money on a lost cause!"

I rubbed the sliver butterfly hanging from my neck.

I ran my hand across Hope's soft fur.

I wanted to scream.

The doctors told them to calm down and take this outside.

They went into the hall, but I could still hear them yelling.

The nurse asked if I was okay.

For once, the doctors aren't mean.

--

Mom finally convinced dad to just go through with it.

I asked if they could leave for a while.

So they did.

I was left with one of the nurses.

"Is that volunteer boy still coming today?"

I squinted at the clock.

"I guess not. But I'll see him tomorrow."

"Oh."

The nurse tried to smile.

But she just looked sad.

"You know the surgery is while he's at school, right?"

"Yeah, so I'll see him after."

The nurse smiled again, just not as sad this time.

"You inspire me, Mina. You have so much hope."

"He taught me that."

"What an incredible relationship you two have."