Ivan kept his word. He flew in a world-class nephrology team.
Targeted therapy, IV nutrition, acupuncture, one after another in relentless rotation.
Money cleared every obstacle, and my body stabilized like some kind of miracle.
No more dialysis. I put on weight. Color returned to my skin, warm and alive.
When I looked in the mirror, I barely recognized the striking woman staring back.
Without the abuse, a person could actually look beautiful.
Today was Melody's follow-up eye exam.
I held her hand as we walked into the ophthalmology building.
"When my eyes are fixed, the very first thing I want to do is see Mommy's face." Melody clutched her white cane and flashed her little tiger-tooth grin.
"Deal. I'll be waiting." I smoothed my hand over her hair.
We had just rounded the corner when we walked straight into three people.
Josephine. Lavinia. And Murray.
Of all the places.
Lavinia clutched a lab report, her face ashen, leaning against Murray for support. Josephine was jabbing a finger at a nurse, berating her at full volume.
Then Josephine turned. Her gaze swept past me, locked on, and froze.
"Beatrice?!"
She let out a shriek and charged.
"You little tramp! I knew you were hiding here!"