From the Heart

Chapter IV

It was a day after they returned, and they met for lunch. "Thank you for the trip," Abel said, he was less joyous and confident. "Why are you thanking me? You made the trip better, and you made a change in the world." "You gave me a few days, where I wasn't worried about anything. I got to choose what I was doing and what I wanted to do. I'm back here, and I find myself worrying and caring for my family. That is all I do." Abel was confused and upset. "That worry does consume your life, especially when you are around your family. You just have to leave the worry sometimes. Your escape is the Foundation. Worrying means you care. And you should care. You need to that caring personality to do your best work with the Foundation." Bailey got a grin out of Abel. "I want to give the siblings and parents of the kids in the hospital a picnic. A day to not worry and do what they want." "We can do that. See, I told you; you would have an idea for the Foundation."

Abel made a post on the website, asking the families what day suited them. The families agreed on August 1st, which only gave two days to set up. Bailey and Abel decided to use Bailey's backyard as the venue. They set several quilts on the ground. They also set some round card tables out. A long table was used to display lunch, drinks, and snacks. Upon the guests' arrival, they were welcomed with music. Not all the families were coming from Virginia. After eating lunch, games were started. Bailey had Twister, Jump Rope, and Musical Chairs available. Bailey was sitting at a table with a deck of cards; soon, three people joined her. "Hi, thank you for this day," one of them said. "Yeah, I needed a stress-free day," another person said. Bailey gave a sincere, "you're welcome." "Do any of you know how to play Hearts?" "I know the basics," one person replied. "Me, too," the other two echoed. "Want to learn how to play?" "Sure," they all answered. Bailey soon learned their names: Blake, Kelli, Andrew. After a few hands, the card players had an audience. Some of the guests learned Abel was a Junior Champion in Latin Ballroom, so Abel was teaching a few moves. People went home with a smile, Abel and Bailey stayed behind to clean.

Bailey and Abel were looking through emails when one caught their attention. The email was from a girl in California. She was suffering from Ovarian Cancer. She explained in her email that her parents were a little short on funds to pay for a procedure, which would remove her ovaries. At the end of the email, she mentioned she saw the photos with the kids in their tie-dye. She asked if she could do the tie-dye too. "I think the tie-dye should become a thing. An introduction activity," Abel said. "I agree. Every time we go to a new hospital." "I think we are going to California," Bailey exclaimed. Abel replied with a grin.

Abel met with his parents at the hospital. "Hey, mom and dad," greeting them with hugs. "So, Bailey and I have a new person to help. Here is the thing, this new kid is from California." "Son, go to California if you're asking," his father graciously answered. "We are so, so proud," his mother beamed. "It is convenient for you two that I go? I mean, if you need me or want me here, I won't go." Abel sounded less excited about the trip and more concern about his parents' feelings. His mother sighed. "Life does not allow for convenience. I think you are beginning to realize that; it's never a good time to be sick." "Everyone, including us, will always need something. Your help is always appreciated, but we can't ask for you to stop your life every time we need you. As parents, we always want you around, but asking that of you is selfish of us." "What you are leaving us for is something we approve of." Abel's mom finished. "So, you want me to go?" Abel was unsure and confused. "Yes," his parents harmonized. "Daniel is getting ready to be released from the hospital. He is going to need all of us. I can't expect you to do everything." "Honey, you are Daniel's brother. Job is to care for him, but not to be his caregiver. As parents, we take care of our sick kids." Abel's mother sweetly answered. "Do what you want," his father finished.

Abel went over to Bailey's house; she was packing the tie-dye material. "Sorry," Abel stated, standing awkwardly behind her. "Sorry? Do we need to talk about something?" Bailey was confused. "Yes," Abel replied bluntly. They went to sit on Bailey's front porch. "I've been selfish. I've used this Foundation as an escape from my family problems. I've abandoned my family. They are my family, and they need me. I have an obligation to my family before anything or anyone else. I can't go to California with you." Abel had some guilt and family sickness. "I understand, I've felt like I have put my family on the back burner. Your family should never be a back burner." Abel hugged Bailey. "After this person, I don't think I'm going to take on another. School is about to start, and I want to only focus on school and family. I don't want this Foundation to be my life; it can be only a piece of my life. I want to keep my life normal." "I agree a hundred percent with everything you're saying. Why don't we agree on something; so we don't let the people, the Foundation. And ourselves down. We need to make it clear that the Foundation is only functioning during the summer and school breaks. The rest of the time, the Foundation and we are in a hiatus. We can't give ourselves all the time; we will burn out. We won't be able to give all our attention and heart if we do it twenty-four/seven. It will not be fair to us or anyone we try to help." "I agree. We have a deal." Bailey shook Abel's hand. "Be careful," Abel said. "I will. Since you're not coming, my mother will."