The young girl with sandy-colored hair, neatly styled into two long pigtails, stood outside the rustic wooden hut, gripping her father's hand tightly as a cool breeze rustled through the nearby trees. She could hear her mother's muffled sobs echoing from inside, and an uneasy feeling settled in her stomach as she hesitated at the threshold, her father's reassuring presence the only thing grounding her. Memories flashed through her mind, particularly the moment when her mother had burst out of the doctor's office, tears streaming down her cheeks, upon learning about her daughter's illness.
"Heavenly-Autumn, it's okay," her father said gently, his voice a mixture of warmth and sorrow. "Try to understand your mother. She's going through a difficult time. The doctor said there may not be a cure for your illness, and that's hard for her to accept." He paused, his heart heavy, struggling to find the right words. Looking down at her with a reassuring smile, he suggested, "How about we go inside and try to cheer her up together?"
The young child nodded, clutching a bundle of fresh sweet potatoes wrapped in straw against her chest. Despite the steam rising from them, burning the tips of her fingers, she felt a small spark of hope; these were her mother's favorite treat, and the thought of bringing a smile back to her mother's face fueled her determination. With her father at her side, they stepped into the house.
Once inside, Heavenly-Autumn caught sight of her mother curled up in the corner, her shoulders shaking as sobs wracked her body. Seeing her mother in such distress left the little girl feeling confused and helpless; words escaped her, and she didn't know how to console the woman she adored.
"Honey, our little girl went out and bought you your favorite treat with her hard-earned money," her father said, his tone gentle yet firm as he nudged Heavenly-Autumn to step forward.
"Oh, right. Um, Mama, I got these for you, and I hope you can get well soon," the young child stammered, a mix of excitement and anxiety bubbling within her as she presented the sweet potatoes to her mother. But before she could celebrate her small success, the sweet potatoes were abruptly knocked from her hand, splattering on the floor in a messy heap.
"Stay away from me!" her mother screamed, her voice piercing through the room like a thunderclap.
Caught off guard, the child was left startled and speechless, tears welling in her eyes as she struggled to process the overwhelming emotions swirling around her.
"Why did it have to be you, Heavenly-Autumn? Why is your life going to be cut short?" her mother cried out, anguish etched across her face. "Why couldn't it be me instead? Knowing that you are sick and not knowing how much time you have left on this earth makes it so hard to look at you. I can't bear it; all I see is your illness, and it tears me apart inside. It makes it so painful to breathe. If I had known this would happen, I would never have given birth to you!"
"Evelyn! That's enough! This isn't some stranger—this is our daughter!" her father shot back, his voice rising in anger and desperation. "She doesn't need to hear any of this!"
"Before I am a mother, I am a person, too! I have feelings just like anyone else. You can't dictate how I cope with this or how I should handle it. You are not living this experience; I am!" she retorted, her eyes flashing with hurt and frustration.
"Mama, do you still love me?" Heavenly-Autumn finally managed to ask, her voice trembling and barely above a whisper. She clutched her hands together, unsure how to interpret her mother's fierce words. "I know you wished you hadn't had me, but do you still love me?" Her heart felt like it was being crushed under a heavy weight, each word her mother had said rending her spirit deeper. "I love you so much, Mama. Please tell me what I can do to make you feel better and help things go back to normal."
In that moment, Evelyn realized the severity of her words. She had been consumed by her own despair, failing to see the pain seeping into her daughter's innocent heart. She expected Heavenly-Autumn to dissolve in tears, yet instead, her daughter wore a brave and vibrant smile, a light that seemed incongruous with the darkness surrounding them. Overwhelmed by her own emotions, Evelyn turned and ran out of the hut, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"Heavenly-Autumn, I'll be back shortly. Please fetch some water. I'm going after her," her father said, a mixture of worry and urgency in his voice.
The young girl nodded, still holding a smile at the entryway, watching her father chase after her mother with a heavy heart. But suddenly, her vision began to blur, and she felt warm tears streaming down her cheeks, droplets landing on her small hands as she let out a muffled scream, clutching her chest in agony, overcome by a mixture of confusion and sorrow.