Chapter 4

Queenie: [It's January 6th. Anna can't even hold a pen anymore, so I have to write this for her.]

There was still another photo of Anna attached below.

She was smiling at the camera, but her face was very pale.

*****

When I woke up this morning, the kid in the bed next to Anna was gone.

She was a year younger than Anna, and she was also fighting a blood disorder.

Last night, before bed, Anna shared a strawberry gummy with her.

She was really sweet and even thanked Anna.

The nurses came in and covered the girl's face with a white sheet.

They wheeled her little bed, still covered in pink blankets, out of the room.

Her family was crying their hearts out, and it felt like needles stabbing into my brain.

Anna kept her eyes on the little girl as they wheeled her away.

She asked me, "Is that little girl sleeping?"

It took all my strength just to manage a reply. "Yeah, she's sleeping."

Anna asked again, "She's not going to wake up, is she?"

I couldn't hold back anymore. I hurriedly turned away, avoiding her gaze as tears spilled down my face.

Another girl in the room noticed what was going on and quickly waved Anna over to watch some cartoons together on her phone.

I finally felt like I could breathe again, and when I glanced over, she shot me a comforting look.

She was seventeen, her name was Tina Wright, and she was born with hemophilia.

Tina was always in the hospital, and no family ever stayed with her.

While looking after Anna, I'd also lend Tina a hand whenever I could.

Tina was probably grateful, so she'd help me watch over Anna whenever she got the chance.

In this hospital room, we were all in the same boat.

That night, Anna's nose started bleeding again, and she passed out.

Just before she lost consciousness, Anna struggled to reassure me, her voice soft and shaky. "I just want to sleep a little longer, okay? Just wipe away the nosebleed, and it'll be gone. It doesn't hurt at all, really."

I panicked and called the doctor.

After the doctor finished the emergency treatment, he spoke to me in a low, serious voice. "She's running out of time. You need to scrape together the cash for a bone marrow transplant, and fast."

I lied to Anna.

I told her that if I were the donor, it wouldn't cost us much at all.

So Anna was full of hope, waiting for the transplant, dreaming about finally leaving the hospital to see her father and brother again.

Even with me as the donor, the transplant would still set us back at least 100 thousand.

I sold every script I had written, and even threw in whatever was left from selling my jewelry.

Even with all that, I still couldn't scrape together more than 100 thousand.

I pulled out my phone and scrolled to the number I'd contacted before.

My blood type was rare and unusual.

Maybe I could sell some blood, or sign a long-term arrangement, and get another 60 thousand.

But I wasn't sure if this dangerous deal would end up costing me my life.

I didn't care about my own life anymore. What really scared me was that even if I died, Anna still might not make it.

The lights were off in the hospital room, and the darkness pressed in from all sides. Where could I find even a glimmer of hope?

Queenie: [It's January 8th. Anna's gonna be okay.]

I finally made up my mind. I was going to call that number and make the exchange.

It was deep into the night. I gripped my phone, ready to dial.

My thoughts were in chaos when, suddenly, I heard a heavy, muffled sound.

When I glanced over, I realized Tina's bed was empty; she wasn't there.

Tina had a serious blood-clotting disorder; even the tiniest injury could be life-threatening for her.

Panic surged through me as I scrambled to find her, only to discover her collapsed on the bathroom floor.

She was bleeding badly, blood already pooling across the tiles.

I rushed her straight to the ER.

Her dad, all dressed up in a suit, finally strolled in after she was out of the ER, looking totally impatient, like he'd rather be anywhere else.

Tina told her dad I was the one who saved her and said he should give me some money.

I was too embarrassed to accept it.

But Tina pressed the check her dad, still annoyed, had written right into my hand.

Then she whispered, "It's just the cost of one of his dinners, but it's enough to save Anna's life. Queenie, take it."

Her dad spat, calling her a lying little scammer, then stormed off in a rage.

Tina didn't seem sad at all. She just beamed, squeezing my hand. "Queenie, Anna's going to be saved."

I knew she'd taken that fall on purpose.

Tina knew her body was fragile, so she was always extra cautious.

She really appreciated how I looked after her.

All she wanted was to help me, to save Anna's life.

I left behind my husband and my son, Owen.

Even though I was all alone in this city, I still found unexpected kindness that moved me to tears.

Anna was going to get better soon.

Our family would be together again before long.

I was starting to miss Landon and Owen.

I just hoped I could see them again soon, without any trouble.

*****

Every inch of the page was crammed with words, so much to say, all of it written through happy tears.

Owen gazed at the yellowed letter.

He brushed his fingertip over the final words, and his hand began to tremble.

His eyes were rimmed red as he spoke through gritted teeth. "I don't believe it. Not a single word."

But even as he said it, he couldn't help himself. Impatiently, he yanked out the last few pages, his hands trembling.