All of You by Fabiola Francisco

Author:Fabiola Francisco [Francisco, Fabiola]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: General Fiction
Published: 2018-05-01T16:00:00+00:00

My fingers stroke Rae’s hair as she sleeps. I’ve been awake for some time, but I haven’t had the courage to get up from this bed. I spent the first moments after waking up looking around this room. My eyes wander to picture frames holding snapshots of my life and the jewelry box I’ve had since I was a little girl. The dolls I kept stare at me as if shaking the memory of who I am from their empty heads. The books I loved as a child and teen are collecting dust in the corner shelf.

When my stroll down memory lane overwhelms me, I take comfort in holding Rae. She’s the reason I am where I am in my life, and she is worth the tears, worry, and days of uncertainty. Thanks to her, I truly met Jason. She may only be six, but this tiny girl is more powerful than anything else in this world.

Her body shakes as she moves closer to me. Her dark blonde hair is a mess atop her peacefully sleeping face. Her small hands hug me as she mumbles something in her sleep.

Sleep did not bring the clarity I was hoping for this morning. My mom’s condition is far worse than I imagined. I’m glad my dad is here all day to help her, but it can’t be easy. He must not have a moment to rest, and his age requires that.

We can move here, or I can work fewer hours and be here on certain days to help. My concerns about the move are for Rae. She had a great school year, and although it’s summer, I’m not sure how long we would be here for.

Through research, I know the actual illness won’t kill her, but complications due to it can.

“Hey,” I whisper when Rae grumbles and stretches. “Did you sleep okay?”

“Yeah.” She brushes the hair from her face and sits up. Her eyes do their own inspection of the space. She gets out of bed and walks around. Rae sits on the chair at my desk and smiles at me. “I like your desk.”

“My dad built me that desk one weekend and we stained the wood, so it would match my dresser.” I point to the wall adjacent to it. That weekend was DIY weekend. We built the desk and I helped him fix a few things around the house while my mom baked apple pie.

Rae grabs one of the frames and stares at it. I walk to where she is. Although we’ve visited since she was a baby, my main focus has always been to help my dad and care for my mom. We never make time to come in here and talk about my life.

“That was my high school graduation.”

“Grandma and Grandpa look so different here.” I smile sadly. She’s only ever known my mom as a sick person.

“This was ten years ago. They were a lot younger, and Grandma wasn’t so sick then.”

“Oh.” She places the frame where it was and turns in the chair, kneeling so she can face the backrest.

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