CHAPTER 24
CHAPTER 24: THE DRAWING ON THE FRIDGE
A few days later, Ella brought home another drawing.
This time it showed our entire family standing in front of the house.
Everyone was there.
Me.
Ella.
Grandpa.
Aunt Samantha.
Even Grandma.
I hung it on the refrigerator.
That evening, my mother called.
I told her about the picture.
"She drew me?" she asked softly.
"Yes."
There was silence.
"Even after everything?"
I looked at the drawing.
"Yes."
She started crying.
"Children are kinder than adults."
I smiled sadly.
"They usually are."
The next day, I brought the drawing to the hospital.
When she saw it, she covered her mouth.
"I look terrible."
I laughed.
"No, you don't."
She touched the paper carefully.
"She still sees me as family."
I sat beside her.
"You are family."
More tears.
"So much grace from such a little girl."
I looked at the drawing.
Maybe children understood something adults forgot.
That people could make terrible mistakes and still belong.
That broken things could still be loved.
My mother held the drawing for almost an hour.
Before I left, she asked:
"Can I keep it tonight?"
"Of course."
As I walked out of the room, I looked back.
May you like
She was smiling at the picture.
And for the first time since the diagnosis, she looked peaceful.
