My whole life changed in an instant. At first I was very scared and relived that terrible experience.
As I spent my second awake night in the hospital, fear and worry swirled in my mind, intense and chaotic like an angry mob. It was then that I realized I had to persevere if I wanted to see this end.
It was then that I remembered the trip. Since last year, I’ve been saving carefully so I can celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary in the Maldives with Jeff.
An island in the Maldives | Source: Pexels
For a year I dreamed of white sand between my toes and snorkeling in the crystal clear ocean.
We could never do that now, not with me in the hospital, but maybe once I’m better…
I needed to hold on to something, something beautiful in front of me, and in that moment I decided that it was the trip to the Maldives.
I wanted to smile at the idea, but only one side of my mouth reacted.
A thoughtful woman in a hospital bed | Source: Midjourney
When my phone rang on the nightstand on the third day of my hospital stay, I had to concentrate to answer. Jeff’s face appeared on the screen, and despite everything, I felt a wave of relief.
“Hello,” I said, the word ringing in my mouth.
“Honey, about the trip…” Her voice had that tone, the same one she’d used when she’d told me her second business had failed.
A woman holding a cell phone | Source: Midjourney
“Yes, we’ll have to cancel,” I said slowly, trying to sound brave. “For now. We’ll go when I’m better.”
He hesitated, and in that pause I heard everything.
“Postponing the trip costs almost as much as the trip itself. So… I suggested it to my brother. We’re at the airport right now. It would be a shame to waste that money.”
The line went dead before I could answer.
