Sunday mornings were usually calm in the Davis house — sunlight pouring through the kitchen window, the smell of pancakes, Liam chasing the family cat around the table.
Suzanne hummed softly as she stirred her tea. She looked perfectly normal — smiling, laughing, teasing Liam. Only she knew that behind every laugh was a small, trembling thought she kept locked away.
Her mother poured more syrup on Liam's plate. "You've been quiet lately, Su. Everything okay at school?"
"Just a lot of assignments," Suzanne replied quickly, forcing a grin. "Our teachers think we have nine lives."
Her mom smiled, but the worry in her eyes didn't fade. "Just don't push yourself too hard."
"I won't," Suzanne promised, though she already felt the faint dizziness returning.
---
Later that afternoon, while Suzanne was in her room finishing homework, the house phone rang.
"Hello?" her mother answered.
"Good afternoon," said a gentle voice on the other end. "This is Dr. Mehra's office. We wanted to confirm Suzanne's follow-up appointment for next week."
Her mother frowned. "Follow-up? For what exactly?"
A pause. Then the nurse said softly, "Her test results came in last week — Dr. Mehra mentioned a consultation about the brain tumor diagnosis."
For a moment, the world seemed to freeze.
"Brain… tumor?" her mother repeated, her voice barely audible.
"I—I thought she'd told you," the nurse said apologetically. "I'm so sorry, ma'am. Please speak with Dr. Mehra for details."
The call ended.
Her mother stood motionless, the phone still pressed to her ear, her heartbeat roaring in her chest. She felt the floor tilt — like the world itself had cracked open.
---
She knocked softly on Suzanne's door.
"Come in!" Suzanne chirped, unaware.
Her mother stepped inside, holding the phone like a piece of evidence. "Suzanne… why didn't you tell me?"
The smile on Suzanne's face faded instantly. "What—what do you mean?"
Her mother's voice broke. "The doctor called. They said you have a tumor."
Suzanne froze. Her pen slipped from her hand, clattering onto the floor. For a moment, all she could hear was the sound of her own heartbeat.
"I wanted to tell you," she whispered, tears welling up. "I just… I didn't want you to be scared."
Her mother's hands shook as she pulled Suzanne into a tight embrace. "Oh, sweetheart," she sobbed. "You should never have faced this alone."
"I thought I could handle it," Suzanne said, her voice muffled against her mother's shoulder. "I didn't want to make you cry."
"You're my daughter," her mother whispered fiercely. "Your pain is mine, always."
Liam peeked from the doorway, confusion clouding his young face. "Mom? What's wrong with Suzanne?"
Her mother wiped her tears quickly. "Nothing that we can't fix, baby. Nothing at all."
She looked at Suzanne, determination replacing shock. "We'll talk to Dr. Mehra tomorrow. Whatever it takes — we'll fight this together."
Suzanne nodded, her tears spilling freely now. "Together," she repeated.
---
That night, after everyone had gone to bed, Suzanne sat by her window, watching the moonlight spread across the quiet street.
Her secret wasn't a secret anymore.
It hurt to see her mother cry — but somewhere deep inside, she felt lighter.
The storm had broken — but now, at least, she wasn't standing in the rain alone.
Still, as she looked at the stars, she whispered to herself,
"If they know… how long until my friends find out?"