CHAPTER 19
CHAPTER 19: THE VISIT
"Can I see Grandma?"
The question came from Ella.
I nearly dropped my coffee.
"Why?"
She shrugged.
"Because she's sick."
I stared at her.
"Who told you?"
"Grandpa."
I made a mental note to have a conversation with my father.
But Ella looked serious.
"I don't want her to be alone."
I sat beside her.
"You know Grandma and I had problems."
She nodded.
"I know."
"And you're still okay seeing her?"
"Yes."
I smiled sadly.
Children.
They see pain and simply want to make it smaller.
A week later, I took her to the hospital.
When my mother saw Ella, she burst into tears.
Ella immediately climbed onto the bed and hugged her.
No hesitation.
No fear.
Just love.
My mother cried harder.
"I'm sorry," she whispered.
Ella looked confused.
"Why are you saying sorry?"
My mother couldn't answer.
After a while, Ella showed her drawings.
Talked about school.
Described a class project in great detail.
For thirty minutes, the hospital room felt almost normal.
Then Ella asked a question.
"Are you going to die?"
The room became completely silent.
I held my breath.
My mother looked at her.
"I don't know."
Ella thought about that.
Then she took her grandmother's hand.
"Okay."
That was all.
No panic.
No tears.
Just acceptance.
Then she smiled.
"So let's have good days."
May you like
My mother covered her face and cried.
Because sometimes children say the exact thing adults need to hear.
