'Lucy, don't play too close to the waters edge darling. You know I don't like the outdoors much.' her mother called out. Bright yellow sun dress caressing bright orange olive skin. Her hat cast a large shade around her head, so that her face appeared grey. But she still managed to stay flawless.
Lucy skipped along the river bank, white dress now blotched with lumps of drying mud, but she didn't mind. She struggled, though, once in a while when she came across a few spots of sinking mud. She would get her foot stuck, and then squeal as she wriggled out.
'Lucy, you'll sink so deep in the mid you'll be buried alive.' her mother joked.
An eight-year-old Lucy laughed, 'Not me Mamma! YOU'LL get yourself buried here.' they giggled. But there was a tiny hint of fear in her mothers eyes that Lucy had never much noticed.
Lucy woke up sweating. She glanced around the room and the gasped when a shaking hand grabbed her shoulder.
Shh, her father cooed. His eyes were red. Lucy was aware of a beeping sound, and the smell of steriliser.
Where are we?
You're in the hospital, Lucy. It unnerved her that he had said you're in the hospital instead of we're in the hospital. She knew immediately something was wrong. With her.
Dad...dad what's wrong? What's happening?.
Lucy, he whispered a broken whisper, you've been diagnosed with leukemia.
