<b>Chapter</b><b>379</b>


    Iwasmomentarilystunned.“What?”


    Heshookhisheadgently,hisvoicesoft.“Nothing.”


    Buttheresolveinhiseyesran deep.


    WhenwearrivedattheBlessedCareMedicalFacility,themedicalstaffhadjustemergedfromtheemergency room.RêAdt??St chapters at Novel(D)ra/ma.Org Only


    Thedirectorapproachedus,shakinghisheadinresignation.“Mr.Ferguson,Mrs.Ferguson,wedideverythingwecould,buttheillnessprogressedtoorapidly.Therewasnothingmorethedoctorscoulddo.”


    Ineededconfirmation,“So,itwasjusttheillness gettingworse?”


    Thedirectornodded.“Yes.”


    Myheartsank,tearswellingup inmyeyes.“Isn’tthereanythingelsethatcanbedone?Anymethod,nomatterthecost…”


    EventhoughIfoundoutIwasaMyersandnotreallyrtedtomyauntbyblood,shewasstill theonewhowasalwaysthereforme.


    Thedirectorsighed.“All possiblemethodshavealreadybeenattempted.Mr.Fergusonhastakencareofthemedicalexpensesthusfar.”


    “Thankyoufor everything…”


    Isaid,mygazeinadvertentlydriftingtowardsBryant.“And…thankyou.”


    IhadnoticedtherewasstillmoneyinmyauntCheryl’smedcountandthehospitalhadn’tpromptedforpayment,soIassumeditwassufficient.


    LittledidIknow,Bryantwastheonecoveringthecosts.


    Bryant spokesoftly,“Let’sgoseeyourauntnow.”


    “Yeah!”


    Rightthen,thenursewheeledmyauntoutofthe emergencyroom.


    Backinherroom,itwasn’tlongbeforeCherylwokeup.


    17:40@


    Seeingme,asmilespreadacrossherpaleface,“Jane,you’rehere…”


    Ifeltguilty;IhadbeensocaughtupinmyownaffairsthatIhadneglectedher.“Auntie,youwerein suchpoorhealth,whydidyoulietomeoverthephoneduringtheholidays,sayingyouwerefine?”


    “Ididn’twanttoworry youoverthe holidays.”Shepattedmyhand,“Besides,I’velivedafulllife.WhetherIliveordie,I’matpeace.”


    Iturnedaway,tearsfalling,andquicklywipedthemoff.“WhataboutLeroyBrown?Whyisn’thehere?”


    “Well…”Cheryl gavea bittersmile,“It’sbeenalongtimesincehevisited.Ifitweren’tforyouandBryant,Imighthave alreadypassedaway.”


    “Auntie…”


    Seeingherweakstate,Istoodup.“I’llcallhim,makehie.”


    Cherylstoppedme,alookof utterdisappointmentonherface.“Jane,letitbe.I’vetotermswithnothavinghiminmylife.Thebondsbetweenparents and childrencanbefickle,andifit’stimetoletgo,thensobeit.”


    Iheldherhand,“It’sokay,you stillhaveme.”


    “Yes,thankfullyIhaveyou.”


    Cherylsighed,ncingat Bryantstandingbehindme,advising,“Sillygirl,IcantellBryantcaresalotaboutyou.Cherishthepeopleinyourlifesoyoudon’tendupaloneonahospitalbedlikeme.”


    “Don’tworry.”


    Bryant,whohadbeensilent,suddenlyspokeup withconviction,“Nomatterwhathappens,IwilltakecareofJane.”


    Ididn’twanttoupsetChernyfurther,soIdidn’targueorrespond.


    “That’sallIneededtohear,”shesaidwithagentlesmile,herstrengthseeminglyfading.Shethenlookedatmyneck,“Areyouwearingthelocket?“.


    “Yes,Iam.See,I’vebeenwearingitalong,”Ireassuredher,pullingoutthelocketfrom undermyshirtandshowingittoher.Finally,withhesitation,Iasked,“Auntie,Unclewasn’tjustspeakingoutofanger,washe?I’m…notreallyaWebster,amI?”


    212