She didn’t want me to get cold, so she filled
up a hot water bottle for me too.
“Cough, cough, I thought you all were
skipping out this year. Where are your
parents?”
Looking at her hopeful expression, I didn’t
know what to say. I just said they were
working and couldn’t get away.
Grandma didn’t say anything, but still made
me a huge dinner.
Then, right after we finished eating, she went
to do the dishes. I tried to take over, but she
wouldn’t let me.
く
“Cough, you drove all the way out here, just
sit down and relax…cough, cough.”
She started coughing harder and harder, her
face turning red. Then she coughed up blood,
and collapsed like a rag doll.
I panicked and called 911.
But the town was far from the hospital, at
least a thirty–minute drive.
After calling the ambulance, I called my dad,
but he didn’t answer. I took a video and sent
it to the family group chat, begging them to
come help.
But the group chat, which was usually
blowing up with messages, was dead silent.
Luckily, my neighbor helped me get Grandma
to the hospital.
They worked on her all night, and finally got
her stable.
But the doctor told me that she was in bad
shape, and she only had a month left.
I choked back tears and told my family.
I sent a text to the group chat: [Grandma
doesn’t have much time left. When are you
coming to the hospital?]
Nobody answered. After ten minutes, I texted
again: [Grandpa died young, and Grandma
worked her tail off raising you. Now she’s
sick, and you don’t care?]
<
My uncle sent a long voice message, ranting:
“Who told you to interfere? What do you
know, you little brat? We’re supposed to drain
our savings on a hopeless case?”
Aunt Carol chimed in: “Yeah, I’ve got two kids
to raise. Tuition, tutoring, after–school
activities, it all costs money!”
“I’m telling you, we don’t have the money for
her to stay in the hospital. Take her home.”
My dad called next. He was furious. “Who told
you to take her to the hospital? Do you have
money to pay for her treatment? Don’t even
think about asking me. If you want to play
nurse, you can pay for it!”
I yelled, tears streaming down my face. “Fine,
I’ll pay! I’ll work two jobs to pay for
Grandma’s treatment! You people don’t have
a shred of decency!”
Mom grabbed the phone and started yelling,
“What are you trying to prove? You’re the
only decent one? If they don’t care, why
should you? Get your butt back here!”
The phone went dead, and someone gently
touched my face. I looked up and saw
Grandma was awake, wiping my tears away.
Her voice was weak, “It’s okay, honey.
Grandma has money, I’ll get them to come.”
At first, I thought she was kidding. Then I
found a bank card with a million dollars in it
hidden in the drawer next to her bed.
She called everyone personally, promising
く
them two grand to come to the hospital, with
more to come.
Uncle Mark and Aunt Susan were the first to
arrive. He shoved his grandson into
Grandma’s arms.
“Mom, the kids missed you so much. We
wanted to bring you back home a long time
ago.”
Aunt Susan put on a fake smile. “Mom, just
tell us what you need. The kids are starting
school soon, and tuition is so high…‘
Grandma smiled. “Don’t worry, I have money.”
Their smiles got wider as they fussed over
Grandma, offering her water.
My parents were next, carrying fruit and milk,
also wearing fake smiles.
“Mom, thank God for our sweet girl. We
wouldn’t have seen you if it weren’t for her.
We were just about to drive over when we got
caught in traffic.”
“Ugh, this old car is falling apart, it’s hard to
drive anywhere. If we had a newer car, we
could take you anywhere!” Dad gave
Grandma a hopeful look.
Grandma smiled again. “It’s probably time for
a new one.”
Uncle Mark asked anxiously, “Mom, how
much money do you have?”
