The day Sue was discharged, the sky was a clear, crisp blue after a night of snow. Trees on both sides of the road glistened under the morning, sun, their branches coated in for.
Desmond drove to the hospital himself to pick her up. The car ride was silent, weighed down by an unspoken heaviness.
In the backseat, little Charlotte pressed her face against the window, breathing onto the cold ss and tracing pictures with her fingertip. Her heart was full of joy.
Mom was finallying home.
She drew a picture of the three of them–her, Mom, and Dad–hand in hand. Her eyes sparkled with happiness.
Sue noticed and felt a sharp pang In her heart. Her eyes turned rod in an instant. She quickly turned her head away, wiping away the tears before forcing a smile.
“Charlotte, your birthday ising up. What do you want this year?”
Charlotte, still busy doodling on the window, answered without hesitation. “Mom, I want a Cinnamoroll”
“Cinnamoroll?” <b>Sur’s </b><b>voler </b>was warm. “Is that a dog breed? I don’t think I’ve <b>heard </b>of it before<b>.</b><b>” </b>
“No, no,” Charlotte shook her head eagerly. “It’s a cartoon puppy. I want a ceramic Cinnamoroll. My friend, Lena, said there’s a new craft shop on Chancery Road where you <b>can </b>paint your own ceramic figurines.”
She turned to look at her mom, her little face full of excitement. “Last week, Lena and Jordan went there and painted the cutest little figurines<b>.</b><b>” </b>
<b>Sue </b>smiled gently, her gaze soft. “Alright. If that’s what you want, <b>we’ll </b>go together.”
On Charlotte’s twelfth birthday, the city was nketed in snow.
Hand in hand, <b>she </b>and her mother stepped into the craft shop. Since they had ced an order in advance, the shopkeeper handed them an unpainted ceramic Cinnamoroll as soon as they arrived.
<b>Together</b>, mother and daughter carefully painted their little <b>figurine</b>.
It was the first time they had ever created something together.
When they were done, Charlotte beamed<b>, </b>admiring their work. It looked just like the one in the reference picture–maybe even cuter.
Afterward<b>, </b>they stopped by a bakery nearby, Sue held the cake in one hand and Charlotte’s hand in the other <b>as </b>they walked through the snow
At one point<b>, </b><b>Sue </b>suddenly stopped. She turned to her daughter, looking at her with deep affection.
“Charlotte, <b>I </b>love you. <b>So, </b><b>so </b>much.”
Her voice was light and soft, quickly carried away by the cold winter <b>wind</b>.
Charlotte’s nose was red from the chill
Mom <b>always </b>told her she loved her, <b>so </b>she didn’t think much of it. She smiled, answering in a bright, cheerful voice.
“I love you <b>too</b>, Mom.”
Sue’s nose stung. She fought back the tears
Her jule Charlotte was still so young. Only twelve.
She wouldn’t be able to stay with her touch longer
How would her daughter go on without her?
Afraid Charlotte would see her crying, Sue <b>turned </b>away and kept walking, leading her across the bustling <b>Chancery </b>Road and into the outdoor parking lot
Frogs a distance, Charlotte spotted her father standing by the car, unoking
<b>-25 </b><b>Bonus </b>
He looked sad.
She rarely saw that expression on him
Just as she was about to ask, Desmond lifted his head and noticed them.
The sorrow on his face disappeared in an instant, reced by his usual expression.
For a monsent, Charlotte wondered if she had Imagined it.
Desmond put out his cigarette, his voice hoarse as he spoke. “You’re back.”
Sue gave him a soft “Mm.”
That night, Desmond cooked dinner himself.
The three of them sat around the table, eating, talking,ughing. Charlotte wore a little birthday
candles.
For a moment, everything felt warm and perfect.
Until it wasn’t.
Ir happened while they were eating cake.
Sue had just li
lifted a piece to her lips when she suddenly started coughing violently.
<b>Then</b>, she began vomiting blood.
Charlotte froze<b>. </b>
Her <b>slice </b>of cake slipped from her fingers,nding on the floor, staining her brand–new shoes.
she <b>made </b><b>a </b>wish and
Panic took over Desmond’s face as he rushed to her side, his voice choked with fear. “Suel Sue, don’t do this to me. I’ll take you to the hospital right now
The housekeeper scrambled to <b>dial </b>911.
Charlotte stood there, motionless<b>, </b>her mind nk.
Why?
Just moments ago, Mom had been fine.
The doctor had said she was well enough to go home.
Hadn’t she already recovered?
The ambnce arrived quickly.
As the paramedics lifted <b>Sue </b>onto the stretcher<b>, </b>Charlotte caught a glimpse of her mother’s tear–filled eyes.
Sue opened her mouth like she wanted to say something
But no words came out.
She was in too much pain to speak.
Instead, ber lips moved soundlessly.
Charlotte recognized the words.
Tears blurred her vision.
She broke into a run, stumbling out into the endless snow.
“<b>Mom</b>! Mom, don’t pol”
The ambnce took off in a rush, not even waiting for Charlotte to catch <b>up </b>
<b>425</b>