«Sarah, the name matches, but the last name’s different. Maybe from her husband. Could it really be her? Am I too late again?» she thought, hurrying to the hospital.
Before her eyes was Hannah, the sweet little girl scraping together pennies to save her mom. The memory tore at her heart. At the hospital’s front desk, a young nurse greeted her.
Emily’s voice shook. «Please, I need to know which room Sarah Thompson is in. She was brought in yesterday by ambulance; I need to see her.»
The nurse looked at her sadly and said flatly, «I’m sorry, but she passed away this morning. The doctors did everything they could, but they couldn’t save her.
My condolences. Are you family?» The nurse’s words hit Emily like a hammer. Tears streamed uncontrollably from her eyes.
She couldn’t forgive herself for being too late again. «I could’ve helped, but I was too busy, thinking only of myself,» she thought. «Sarah died because of me back then, and now I’ve failed her again when I could’ve helped.
How could this happen?» A sharp thought pierced her mind. Gathering her strength, Emily asked the nurse, «Can I say goodbye to her? Just for a few minutes, I beg you.
She was my best friend from childhood, the closest person I had. We haven’t seen each other in years.» The nurse nodded, softening.
«Okay, but only briefly. We haven’t moved the body to the morgue yet, so you can say goodbye. I’ll take you there.»
Emily followed the nurse on unsteady legs. At the end of the hall, a body lay on a gurney, covered with a sheet. Emily took a deep breath, crossed herself, and, mustering her last strength, lifted the sheet.
Her heart stopped in shock. It wasn’t her friend. The face was completely different—thin lips, a different nose, unfamiliar hair.
It definitely wasn’t her childhood friend. Emily sighed with relief, covering the body again. But that relief quickly turned to new horror.
Hannah, the little girl, had just lost her mother, and she still didn’t know what awaited her. An orphanage? There was no worse place. The nurse spoke quietly.
«I’m so sorry, she was so young, with so much life left. They’ll move her to the morgue soon, then handle the funeral arrangements. Will you take her belongings and documents?
No one’s come to see her, and I don’t know who to give them to.» Emily nodded shakily, swallowing the lump in her throat. «Yes, I’ll take everything and handle the funeral.»
The nurse handed her a small bag with belongings: a watch, a pendant, and a note. It was all that remained of a person.
With trembling hands, Emily unfolded the note and read: «Hannah, my darling daughter. I’m so unwell.
I don’t know if I’ll make it to morning. Whatever happens, know that I love you more than life. You’re my only family.
Promise me you’ll study hard, behave, and become happy. For me. Mommy kisses you so gently, my bunny.
Goodbye.» Emily barely remembered getting home. She was shaking, tears streaming endlessly.
Her mind was filled with the pale face of the woman and lost Hannah. Thoughts swirled chaotically. How would she tell James? They barely had money for a funeral.
Would James want to help? After all, Hannah and her mother were complete strangers. But she couldn’t back out; her conscience wouldn’t allow it.
To distract herself, Emily tried cooking dinner. But everything went wrong. The omelet burned, she cut her finger, and broke a cup.
That evening, James came home exhausted. Emily greeted him warmly, served dinner, but kept casting anxious glances, unable to start the tough conversation. James, knowing her better than she knew herself, noticed something was wrong.
He saw her teary eyes and sensed her deep worry. «Sweetheart, what’s going on? You’re a wreck, I can tell. What happened? Don’t hold back.
Tell me.» Emily exhaled heavily and began the difficult talk. «Remember the girl with the braids who sold us the daisy bouquet at the wedding? I nearly fainted when I saw her hair.
Only my orphanage friend Sarah braided like that. When the girl said her mom’s name was Sarah, too, I started thinking it might be her. What if she didn’t die back then? They never found her body.
I told you about it. So I promised Hannah I’d visit them. Today, I finally went.
Her mom was in the hospital with cancer, and Hannah’s staying with a neighbor. I rushed to the hospital, and they told me Sarah died this morning.
I broke down, blaming myself for not getting there in time. I asked the nurse to let me say goodbye to my friend. I lifted the sheet, and it wasn’t my Sarah.
I was relieved, but then the nurse asked who’d handle the body and the funeral. They have no family, no one’s coming. In the heat of the moment, I said I’d take care of it, without asking you.»
Emily sighed, lowering her eyes. «And I feel so sorry for Hannah. She’s only seven, such a sweet girl.
What’ll happen to her now? Probably an orphanage. I know what that place is like; I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. I’ve been crying all evening, scared to tell you.
What if you think it’s not our problem and get upset?» James listened quietly, not interrupting. When Emily finished, he gently kissed her.
«Emily, we’ve been together for six months. Have I ever yelled at you? Why would you think I’d be mad? It’s a tough situation, but we’ll handle it. The girl’s mother died, and no one’s there to help.
That’s a horrible shock for a child. Even adults struggle with that. Of course, we’ll help give her a proper send-off.
We’re okay financially. As for Hannah, if you want, we can take her in and become her guardians. We’ll raise her as our own.
What do you think? She’s a wonderful kid. She won’t be a burden.» Overwhelmed with emotion, Emily burst into tears and hugged James, showering him with kisses.
«I love you so much, James. You have such a big, kind heart. I’ll pick up Hannah tomorrow.
Are you okay with that? We’ll help her through this grief. I’ll arrange the funeral and everything. I know you’re busy all day.»
Emily paused, adding nervously, «But I don’t know how to tell her that her mom’s gone. I don’t have the strength.» James thought for a moment and suggested, «Tell her her mom’s been moved to another hospital for long-term treatment.
Let Hannah stay with us for now. We’ll figure out the rest later.» The next morning, Emily went to the neighbor’s house.
When the woman stepped onto the porch, Emily whispered, «Sarah passed away yesterday. My husband and I will handle the funeral. Come tomorrow at noon to say goodbye.
The memorial’s at two at Eastside Café.» And one more thing, «I want to take Hannah and apply for guardianship. I can’t let her go to an orphanage.
Do you mind if I take her?» The old woman teared up, crossed herself, and shook her head. «Lord, what a tragedy! Rest in peace, Sarah! Such a good woman, so young, why such a fate?
Thank you. I’m too old to keep Hannah. It breaks my heart.
She’s such a wonderful girl, so smart and obedient. We’ll all come to say goodbye to Sarah, the whole street,» the neighbor said.
«We’ll chip in for the funeral, even if it’s just a little. But I don’t understand, why are you helping this family?
You’re not related. That’s so rare these days.
Times are tough. Most people, especially young folks, would just walk by if you fell on the street.
But you, I don’t even know.» She thought, *People like you don’t exist anymore.*
Emily sighed heavily and replied, «I grew up an orphan in a foster home. I went through so much pain and suffering there.
That’s why I can’t let a wonderful girl like Hannah go through the same. That’s the reason.» The neighbor led Emily inside.
Hannah, seeing her, lit up. «Miss Emily, you came! I remember you.
You kept your promise to visit. I’m so happy. I’ve been drawing and helping Grandma.
I’m waiting for Mom to come home from the hospital. She’ll get better, right?» Looking at this little girl with such bright eyes, Emily felt her heart turn over. Swallowing her tears, she realized she was about to have the hardest conversation of her life.
«Hannah, sweetie, I have some news and an offer for you. Your mom’s been moved to another hospital, far away, in the capital.
Grandma’s getting old, and it’s hard for her to take care of you for long. I’d like to invite you to live with us, in our family. I know we’re practically strangers, and it might seem odd, but trust me, neither I nor my husband will ever hurt you.
We’ll take care of you, play with you, and try to make you smile. What do you say?» Hannah looked at Emily with an almost adult-like gaze and said quietly, «Don’t treat me like a baby. You’re lying, I can see it in your eyes.
Mom didn’t go to another hospital, she died, didn’t she? Tell me the truth. I want to say goodbye to her.» I overheard the doctors; I knew she was very sick. Emily and the neighbor exchanged helpless glances.
Tears streamed down Emily’s cheeks. She nodded and handed the girl the note. «Your mom left this for you.
I got it from the hospital. Want me to read it?» But Hannah shook her head and began reading it herself, whispering. With each word, tears rolled down her cheeks.
She reread the note over and over, unable to let go of this last gift from her mom. The girl rummaged in her small backpack and pulled out a thick stack of bills mixed with coins.
«Look, this is what I saved for Mom’s treatment. But I was too late. I want you to use it for her funeral.
Please, make her beautiful.» And in the next moment, Hannah shared her biggest dream. She pictured herself walking into a spacious hospital lobby with a serious expression.
A heavy backpack hung from her thin shoulders. She slowly approached the reception desk, carefully set the backpack on the floor, and began pulling out stacks of crumpled bills and handfuls of coins, which clinked loudly onto the counter.
«Please, save my mom,» her voice trembled but was firm. «This is everything I have.
I saved it myself. Take it all, just make it so she can walk, smile, and play with me again.» The doctors and nurses froze, struck by the poignant scene.
A young surgeon, watching from the side, took off his glasses to hide his tears. No one could look away from the girl who stood like a hero from a Hollywood cartoon, ready to fight for the most precious thing in her life. A deep silence filled the hospital lobby, broken only by the soft clink of coins and the heavy breathing of those witnessing the moment.
And then, that talented surgeon took all her money, and a few days later, her mom came home, beautiful and healthy. But alas, the little girl’s dreams were just her imagination.
Hannah now understood that nothing could be undone. She suddenly hugged Emily tightly and sobbed, no longer holding back her pain. They sat together for a long time, motionless, mourning the loss.
The funeral was heavy. A small group gathered—neighbors and a few of Sarah’s former colleagues. Emily did her best to honor Hannah’s request.
Sarah lay in the coffin, looking almost alive, dressed elegantly and surrounded by flowers. Hannah couldn’t hold back her tears and didn’t want the coffin closed, not ready to part with her mom forever. Emily tried to comfort her, regretting a hundred times that she’d told the girl the truth so soon.
But at the memorial in the café, Hannah clung to Emily and whispered, «Thank you for telling me the truth. I needed to say goodbye to Mom. I understand.