« It seemed like you needed someone. »
« Are you okay? » I asked. « I’m a nurse. Tell me how you’re feeling. I can help you. »
« It’s time, » he said. « I’m fine. It’s just… my moment, my dear. »
Martha took a small envelope out of her bag and handed it to her grandfather. He gave it to me with trembling hands.
« It’s for you, » he said. « There are no conditions, no rules. Just… what I can give you. »
« This is just… my moment, my dear. »
I didn’t open it right away. There was something too heavy in that moment for a hasty reaction. I simply nodded and squeezed her hand until it remained still in mine.
I stayed with him until the paramedics arrived. I could have done the job myself, but legally I couldn’t certify a death outside the hospital.
They moved slowly around the room, took his pulse, noted some information, then gently pulled the blanket up over his chest. I stayed by the window, my hands clasped, trying to take it all in without collapsing.
There was something in that moment that was too heavy for a hasty reaction.
When they announced the time of death, it sounded too clinical for someone who, just moments before, had simply handed me an envelope. I approached and touched his hand one last time.
« Thank you, Dalton, » I murmured.
Martha walked me outside. We didn’t talk much. And I think the silence was the only thing that made sense.
In the back seat of his car, I held the envelope in my lap. I didn’t open it until we turned onto my street. I peeled it back gently, not really knowing what to expect—maybe a letter, or something symbolic. But when I saw the check, my breath caught in my throat.
« Thank you, Dalton, » I murmured.
My fingers were trembling, my chest tightened — not just in shock, but in relief.
Inside, Ara was sitting cross-legged on the living room floor, with Benjy curled up on her lap, purring as if he’d been waiting for my return. Celia looked up from the kitchen counter, a half-eaten bowl of noodles in front of her and a sock half-pulled off one foot.
« Hi, my loves, » I said, gently setting down the bag, the envelope still inside. « Come sit down. I have something to tell you. »
They listened as I told them about the man at the supermarket, how I had paid for his groceries without thinking it would be anything more than a small act of kindness. I told them about Martha, the proposal… I told them how I had stayed by Dalton’s side until the very end.
When I got to the part about the check, neither of them said anything for a few seconds.
« It’s… a bit like magic, isn’t it? » said Ara.
« Yes, » I said softly. « And tonight, I want us to do something to pay tribute to him. »
« Dinner? The themed one? » asked Celia, who suddenly came back to life.
« Wait, what’s the theme this week? » asked Ara.
Celia took out her phone, already searching.
« It’s… a bit like magic, isn’t it? »
« Alice in Wonderland, » she said, laughing. « My goodness, I wonder what dishes they’ll serve. »
« I hope there will be a cinnamon cake, » said Ara.
« There will definitely be desserts, » I said, laughing.
And for the first time in weeks, I felt light.
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If you enjoyed this story, here’s another one for you: When Leigh’s husband returns from a business trip looking much worse than usual, she attributes it to stress and long hours. But a sudden illness, photos, and an unexpected message shatter all her assumptions. With two newborn twins to protect and the truth drawing closer, Leigh discovers that betrayal doesn’t just knock; it infects you.
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