The painkillers had worn off.
The doctors gave me a shot at the hospital.
Toulo
L
I posted the picture Taylor took on social
media.
The camera focused on my phone.
Dad liked it and wrote, “Happy birthday,
honey. You’ve lost weight. Remember to eat.”
Two minutes later, Mom sent me three
thousand dollars on Venmo.
It was double the amount from last month.
Tears fell on the screen.
I blew out the candles and wished for Dad
and Mom to be happy and healthy.
[Filming Record: October 6th, 2024]
“Riley!”
Taylor ran into my room, worried.
I was under the blanket. I was shaking and
crying.
Taylor touched my head.
“Riley, are you okay?”
I slowly crawled out of the blanket.
My eyes were swollen and my face was
covered in tears.
“Dad passed away.”
Taylor stared at me.
“Riley…”
I wiped my eyes and got up.
“I want to say goodbye.”
Taylor helped me sneak away from my mom
at the funeral. I brought flowers to Dad’s
funeral.
I gave him three bows and lit three incense
sticks.
I was not noticed.
But Mom shouted my name when I was about
to drive away.
“Riley?”
I ordered the driver to go.
I saw my mom in the mirror.
She was staring as the car drove away.
Then, my phone rang. It was Mom.
I hung up, let my tears flow, and whispered,
“I’m sorry, Mom.”
[Filming Record: December 10th, 2024]
After the third chemotherapy, my state was
worse.
Taylor was reading a list of leukemia
survivors.
I interrupted her.
“Taylor, can you take my picture?”
Taylor hesitated.
“What?”
“Before I lose my looks, take my picture.”
Taylor choked up.
“Don’t say that.”
I smiled.
“Make me look beautiful.”
I put on my wig and a new outfit.
It took me a whole hour.
I sat in front of the wall.
I smiled at the camera.
Taylor’s hands shook, and the pictures were
blurry.
“Make me look pretty.”
Taylor sniffed.
“You promised to live. Otherwise, I’ll use
these ugly pictures.”
I laughed.
“Alright, as long as I look good.”
A flock of birds chirped outside the window.
<
Taylor took a picture.
“Click.”
My smile was frozen in time.
“Doctor!”
“Someone help!”
Yelling rang in my ears.
Taylor dropped the camera and came towards
me.
I watched the ceiling spin and slowly closed
my eyes.
“I’m sorry, Mom.”
<
“I’m sorry, Mom.”
“I’m coming, Dad.”
Chapter 2
[Filming Record: December 12th, 2024]
I opened my eyes, everything blurry. I
managed to croak out, “Am I dead? Is this
heaven or hell?”
“Riley, you’re awake…”
Taylor’s voice was right next to me.
I blinked a few times, and my vision slowly
cleared.
I was still in the hospital bed.
く
I sighed.
“Taylor, next time, just let me go. Death
would be a relief.”
“Don’t talk like that! You’re going to get
better!”
Taylor squeezed my hand.
She started pulling things out of her bag.
“I got this St. Christopher medal blessed at
church for you.”
“And this crystal bracelet is supposed to
protect your health.”
“This little wooden sword is for fighting off
L
“This gourd is supposed to be good for your health.”
“And this… this is some kind of powder that
people used to make elixirs that will help you live longer.”
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Taylor, when did you get so superstitious?”
She wiped a tear from the corner of my eye,
her voice sincere.
“Isn’t it supposed to be that science
eventually turns into magic?”
“Let’s just try again, okay…”
<
I looked out the window, trying to hold back
the tears.
Finally, I mumbled, “Okay.”
[Filming Record: January 1st, 2025]
The hospital bed was empty.
Taylor and the cameraman found me
crouched in the corner of the hallway.
“Riley?”
I put a finger to my lips, pointing to a figure
ahead of us.
“That’s my mom. She’s here for a
conference.”