From the Heart

Chapter IX

Junior year came to a tiring end, Bailey and Abel had a booked summer. Bailey set the table for dinner. It was her last dinner before leaving for her trip. Hanes brought in the easily spill-able food; Matthew brought in the rest of the food. "Where is mom?" Hanes asked curiously. "Your mother is under the weather. She is resting." They gathered around the table and started serving food. "Should I stay and help around the house while mom is ill?" Bailey asked stressfully. "No, we can take care of one another. Also, your mother will be better by the time you get back." "Are you sure?" "Yes, honey. You are going!" "Alright." They ate and spoke about their days. In a surprise, a fragile Carol came to dinner. "Mom, how are you?" Hanes asked. "I am not feeling great, but I need to try to eat," Carol softly spoke. When Carol joined dinner, it was quiet and melancholy.

Bailey and Abel started their road trip to Virginia. They were meeting with two patients. "Hey, I will let you meet with Lyla, and I will meet with Brett," Abel suggested respectfully. "Sure," Bailey replied hesitantly. "If you want to meet these patients together, we can. Lyla's case may be rough on you; she has CF. Your friend Maggie had CF." Bailey's chest tightened. "No, I can meet with her alone. I will be alright," Bailey was stiff. "Okay. Just tell me if you need any help." "It is better if Lyla is not overwhelmed." They made their arrival to the children's floor of the hospital. "Good luck," Abel whispered. "You, too."

"Lyla," Bailey announced while knocking on her open door. Lyla was in the midst of a coughing fit. Despite coughing, Lyla still acknowledged Bailey's presence. Lyla motioned Bailey in. Bailey felt helpless, and her chest tightened. It was the first time, she felt helpless with a patient. Finally, Lyla was able to catch a breath. "It is lovely to meet you finally. Thank you for helping pay for my treatment." "Of course," Bailey was sinking into a daze. "You okay?" Lyla asked, concerned. "Yeah," Bailey was still dazed. "I heard you just finished your junior year. How was it?" "It was tough; it is not an easy year." "You at least went to school events, like dances...," Lyla couldn't finish her thought. She had to stop to gasp for air and get a little oxygen from her tank. "Actually, no, I chose to work on the organization." "I always wanted to go to a dance, but my CF has prevented me." Suddenly, Bailey's eyes were glazed over with tears. "I am so sorry," Bailey quickly wiped away the tears. "No, do not be sorry! What is going on?" Lyla was concerned. The tears kept coming. Lyla handed Bailey a tissue. "You just remind me of a good friend of mine." "Maggie? She was your friend, who inspired this organization after her passing." "Yeah, she had CF. It just hit me hard; she is not here anymore. It has not hit me this hard before. I thought I was in a good place. It has been a year. Nevermind, this trip is about you, not me. I need to get it together." "No, as much as you are here for us, we are there for you, too. So, you do not always need to keep it together."

For a few minutes, Lyla re-supplied on oxygen and had to get rid of some mucus, while Bailey cleaned her face. "I have to tell you something; I had an older sister. She was born with CF. When I was nine, CF took her life. After my sister, my parents tried to have a non-CF child. Of course, they had me, a CF child. My parents have always been caring and loving. But, they know CF children might not live long. They have always wanted children and grandkids." Lyla took another breath. "My point is my sister's death did not make a permanent impression on me until a year after her death. I thought I had gone through all the emotions, and I was okay. Then one day, it hit me that she was not here. The person's death will hit you at unexpected times. Do not try to hold it in. Also, death will never stop hurting you." Bailey had calmed down. "I have kept occupied with school and the organization. I have tried to make Maggie proud with this organization." "You have!"

Down the hall, Abel was visiting with Brett. Brett was quarantine. Abel talked with Brett through the thick plastic. "Hey, Brett," Bailey vocally spoke. "Abel, it is nice to meet you finally," Brett approached the plastic. "You, too. So, what do you do every day?" "I read. I try to educate myself; I am interested in medicine. When I grow up, I want a job in medicine." "That is awesome! The world needs more doctors that have a passion for helping others. You have a lot of school before operating on people." "I have all the time in the world! Actually, I am already working on a college degree. Also, I am looking to be a medical researcher." "Oh, you seem like you would want to be a surgeon. You are one smart man!" "There was a time; I wanted to pursue a career as a surgeon." "What stopped you from seeking a career as a surgeon?" "It was impossible to achieve that dream." "Who told you that dream was impossible?!" Abel was shocked. Brett chuckled. "No one told me that my dream was impossible. My parents always told me, 'anything is possible if you work for it.' I grew up and realized being a surgeon was unrealistic. I cannot be in contact with sick patients; I live in a bubble. For some people have some challenges that cannot be overcome. As you grow up, you realize the obstacles that cannot be taken down. You need to make changes to your dream. You have a new dream. At first, it is disappointing, but you still have a dream. Most parents are encouraging, but they are not stupid. They know the obstacles their child are up against. Children are naïve until a certain age. When children are no longer naïve, parents can be real with them. As well as, still encourage them in their new, achievable dream." Abel was speechless; he felt like he was given a dose of reality.