I Love You To Creation

"Aplastic anemia."

I blinked. "What? I know what anemia is but aplastic anemia?"

Eliana shifted slightly. "Aplastic anemia is a rare bone marrow failure disease." Her eyes shifted between mine and her hands fidgeting on her lap.

Relief for the fact now there was a name overcame me but still the unsettling feeling of now what? What's next?

"Is there a cure?" I managed out even though it felt like there was a heavy weight resting on my sternum. "A way to stop this?"

She shrugged, helpless. "Bone marrow transplant but since you didn't match, the next best thing to do would be medicine. But a transfer would stop it indefinitely. Otherwise, it could be a lifelong thing."

I could sense the weight of the situation that weighed down on her. I almost didn't want to ask but this was the expensive question. "How much does the medicine cost?"

Fear ran rampant in her expression as she looked up at me as she told me, "A quarter of a million."

I was sure my heart stopped for a moment. We couldn't afford that. Maybe we could take out a loan but we'd be paying off that debt for the rest of our lives.

Eliana saw my expression and looked crestfallen.

No. She's only twenty and I'm her older sister. She shouldn't have to worry about how to pay off those debts. In a moment, an idea started to work itself out. It would be a hail mary but one that I'd be willing to take. For the sake of my little sister.

I gave a gentle; reassuring smile as I told her, "We'll get through this. We always do."

She started, "But the bill-"

"Will be taken care of," I cut her off before she could finish the sentence. "Now, you just worry about getting better and staying healthy." I gave her a hug. "I've gotta go do some work but I'll be back before you know it, okay?"

She looked over at the IV drip and sighed, "I'll be here for the next twenty minutes so..."

I smiled and left the room. A quick search of what legal steps had to be taken and the current state of my bank account were necessary. It wasn't the best but enough to get the legal work done with some money left over. Hopefully enough to get the job done.

While I was waiting on the legal work to be processed, I could work on my inventory so I could be ready to some degree for when I get started. I'd have to pull out my fabrics, yarns, buttons, and anything else I might need for this to work. I could start by asking other local businesses if I could have my products sold in their establishment.

Bookkeeping is going to a nightmare but anything to have my little sister healthy again.

I just smiled. This is a large responsibility; I love her to the point of creating a business for her.