I give all my thanks to Julia who made this wonderful book cover!! Thanks, Julia!!!
Monday, November 5, 2012
Sunday, November 4, 2012
FINDING HOPE: Credits
Madison Grace: Julia Butler
Connor Hudson: Greyson Chance
Jane Grace: Anna Brandi
Francis Bennett: Colin Ford
Peter Grace: Unknown
Cindy Grace: Unknown
Mr. and Mrs. Hudson: Unknown
Mrs. Bennett: Unknown
Written by Mary Catherine Brandi; with the help of Anna Brandi
Copyright: October-November 2012.
Connor Hudson: Greyson Chance
Jane Grace: Anna Brandi
Francis Bennett: Colin Ford
Peter Grace: Unknown
Cindy Grace: Unknown
Mr. and Mrs. Hudson: Unknown
Mrs. Bennett: Unknown
Written by Mary Catherine Brandi; with the help of Anna Brandi
Copyright: October-November 2012.
Finding Hope: Chapter 13
My heart was burned. My soul was washed away into the sorrowful waves. Everything was taken away from me in an instant. I couldn't feel my hands, they were so numb from weeping out in the cold rain. All I could think of was those last precious moments with Connor before he died.
Then I remembered something. The note Connor put in my pocket. I slipped it out and read it:
Dear Madison,
I want to give you something. If you follow this map, your surprise will be waiting for you. I just want to let you know, it wasn't the medicine that kept me living... it was you that kept me living. Everyday, I prayed that you would come visit me, and everyday you did. I was so thankful. Now, it is my turn to help you. I hope you like your gift.
Forever yours,
Connor
I wept more when I finished reading it. I held the note to my chest and buried it in my jacket. The words expressed love. Lots of love to me. He was gone, there was no turning back. I had to follow his map to get my surprise.
I went home to start the journey. I walked about half a mile and the map said it was waiting for me under a small oak tree.
I walked to the oak tree and knelt down beside my present. I picked it up and smelled it. It was a bright red rose.
I looked up into the dark grey sky which was starting to clear and said, "Thank you,"
I stood up, tears hitting the wet ground still, held my rose tight in my hand, and walked home.
The house was quiet. I walked up the staircase which led to my bedroom and shut the door. I wanted to be alone for a while.
Angry, sad, tearful thoughts stirred around in my head. I thought of Connor and my last moments with him, I thought about our kiss, I thought about the race for a cure... I finally thought about Francis. He was so kind. He was almost an exact twin to Connor. I wanted to see Francis again and talk to him. We did have something in common, cancer. His sister... my best friend, both had cancer.
He lived here, so he must go to school where I used to go... maybe Connor knew him... I didn't know, but I wanted to find out.
I looked in the phone book and found his last name under a pile of names in the book. I looked at the address and it read: 1224 Maple Wood Drive, Nashville Tennesee.
I got my coat and told my mom I was going for a walk.
I walked outside and there wasn't a cloud in the sky, the rain had stopped, and a rainbow started to form in the blue sky.
I walked down a few roads, it took less that 20 minutes to get to his house. I had to go half way around the world to find a guy who lived less than 20 minutes away from me. It really is a small world after all.
I walked up to his front porch and examined the house. It was big, it had cherry trees in the front yard, the house was built of red brick and vines were showing around the house.
I knocked on the door. His mom answered, "Hello, may I help you?"
"Hi, is Francis here? I'm a friend of his. I met him at the Peddle for a Cure, I'm Madison," I explained to her and shook her hand, "Oh, I'm Mrs. Bennett. Hold on, I'll get Francis for you," she said wiping her hands on an apron and yelled for her son to come downstairs.
Once Francis was downstairs, the lady said, "He's right here."
I nodded and Francis came to the door and stared at me surprised, "Madison... hey," he said.
"Hi, Francis," I replied.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
His eyes were hazel and his complexion was soft white, "I... I came to see you... my friend, uh, the one who had cancer... he..." I didn't finish, he knew what I meant.
"I'm so sorry, Madison," he said.
I looked at the tall, slim figure and said, "It's okay," And for one moment in my life. I finally met someone else other than Connor who shared my feelings. Someone who understood me. Someone I could look up to and tell him my troubles. I will never forget Connor, but it is time to move on, and Francis was here to save me.
THE END
NOTE: If you liked this story, please comment. If you have any suggestions, please comment! Please comment and tell me if you would like me to write a sequel! I plan to write a new story with a new plot and new characters! ;)
Then I remembered something. The note Connor put in my pocket. I slipped it out and read it:
Dear Madison,
I want to give you something. If you follow this map, your surprise will be waiting for you. I just want to let you know, it wasn't the medicine that kept me living... it was you that kept me living. Everyday, I prayed that you would come visit me, and everyday you did. I was so thankful. Now, it is my turn to help you. I hope you like your gift.
Forever yours,
Connor
I wept more when I finished reading it. I held the note to my chest and buried it in my jacket. The words expressed love. Lots of love to me. He was gone, there was no turning back. I had to follow his map to get my surprise.
I went home to start the journey. I walked about half a mile and the map said it was waiting for me under a small oak tree.
I walked to the oak tree and knelt down beside my present. I picked it up and smelled it. It was a bright red rose.
I looked up into the dark grey sky which was starting to clear and said, "Thank you,"
I stood up, tears hitting the wet ground still, held my rose tight in my hand, and walked home.
The house was quiet. I walked up the staircase which led to my bedroom and shut the door. I wanted to be alone for a while.
Angry, sad, tearful thoughts stirred around in my head. I thought of Connor and my last moments with him, I thought about our kiss, I thought about the race for a cure... I finally thought about Francis. He was so kind. He was almost an exact twin to Connor. I wanted to see Francis again and talk to him. We did have something in common, cancer. His sister... my best friend, both had cancer.
He lived here, so he must go to school where I used to go... maybe Connor knew him... I didn't know, but I wanted to find out.
I looked in the phone book and found his last name under a pile of names in the book. I looked at the address and it read: 1224 Maple Wood Drive, Nashville Tennesee.
I got my coat and told my mom I was going for a walk.
I walked outside and there wasn't a cloud in the sky, the rain had stopped, and a rainbow started to form in the blue sky.
I walked down a few roads, it took less that 20 minutes to get to his house. I had to go half way around the world to find a guy who lived less than 20 minutes away from me. It really is a small world after all.
I walked up to his front porch and examined the house. It was big, it had cherry trees in the front yard, the house was built of red brick and vines were showing around the house.
I knocked on the door. His mom answered, "Hello, may I help you?"
"Hi, is Francis here? I'm a friend of his. I met him at the Peddle for a Cure, I'm Madison," I explained to her and shook her hand, "Oh, I'm Mrs. Bennett. Hold on, I'll get Francis for you," she said wiping her hands on an apron and yelled for her son to come downstairs.
Once Francis was downstairs, the lady said, "He's right here."
I nodded and Francis came to the door and stared at me surprised, "Madison... hey," he said.
"Hi, Francis," I replied.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
His eyes were hazel and his complexion was soft white, "I... I came to see you... my friend, uh, the one who had cancer... he..." I didn't finish, he knew what I meant.
"I'm so sorry, Madison," he said.
I looked at the tall, slim figure and said, "It's okay," And for one moment in my life. I finally met someone else other than Connor who shared my feelings. Someone who understood me. Someone I could look up to and tell him my troubles. I will never forget Connor, but it is time to move on, and Francis was here to save me.
THE END
NOTE: If you liked this story, please comment. If you have any suggestions, please comment! Please comment and tell me if you would like me to write a sequel! I plan to write a new story with a new plot and new characters! ;)
Saturday, November 3, 2012
Finding Hope: Chapter 12
I heard him screaming at the top of his lungs. I was freaking out, I didn't know what to do, and that was when my mom and dad and Jane and Connor's parents came in. They had horrified looks on their faces which explained everything.
Mr. Hudson went to get the doctor and the rest of us tried to calm Connor down. We didn't know why he was screaming. I thought he was in a lot of pain at the time and he just screamed for some reason.
My heart was thumping wildly, I felt it in my chest. Thump, thump, thump. It felt terrible. My heart was yearning for Connor. And we both knew exactly why.
I, Madison Grace, was in love with Connor Hudson. I was in love with this sick dying fourteen year old boy who won't live to see high school, or graduation, or anything in between. I knew him for so long, I couldn't let him go. I needed to have my last moments with him.
The doctor came in and ushered us to get out of the room. They were doing tests on him and trying to calm him down. I peeked in to see what was going on in there. Jane was getting in the way also. Everyone was anxious to see what was going on.
Finally after what seemed like forever, the doctor let us come in and said, "Connor is sleeping and is okay now, he may scream again at one point, but other than that, he's fine."
We were all relieved. But I knew he wasn't going to be fine for very long. He was still one day away from leaving all of us. It just wasn't meant to be.
Mr. and Mrs. Hudson went back to his room and my family and I went back home. I wanted to stay, but they were very tired and said we could come back tomorrow. But all I could think of was that, what if there is no tomorrow? Maybe he leaves us tonight? I just couldn't stand to think that, so I went home without another word about it.
The next morning we left at 12:30. I was so worried he wouldn't be lying in his bed when we got there, but thank goodness he was still there breathing.
We went into the room where we found Mr. and Mrs. Hudson sleeping in two chairs, but we startled them and they got up.
Connor was fully awake when we got there and was drawing in what looked like a notebook.
"Hey, guys," Connor said when we walked in. My mom and Mrs. Hudson went to get some coffee and my dad and Mr. Hudson went outside the door to talk a bit and I was left with Jane.
"Hey Jane, what's up?" Connor asked sitting up.
"Nothing. Hey, I thought you were sick!" she said noticing he was drawing and sitting up.
"I am sick, I'm just able to do these things," he answered putting away his notebook.
"Ohhhhhh," Jane said long and annoyingly.
He chuckled to himself and said, "Hey, can you get me something?"
Jane walked toward him and said, "Anything!"
He smiled graciously, "Can you go find me an animal magazine and some hot cocoa?"
She grinned, "Of course! Wait right there!" she walked out of the room and down the hall, we could hear skipping sounds.
We laughed, "Were you just getting rid of her?" I asked smiling.
"That was the plan, and I think it worked," he said smiling.
"How do you feel?" I asked concerned.
"Really, not that good," he said watching me look down.
"Oh... do you think today is... the day?" I asked still not looking up.
"Madison... look at me please," he said which made me look at him surprised.
"I don't know if it is, but if it is... I want you to be at my side when it happens," Connor said pulling me closer to him.
"Connor... please tell me you'll be okay," I said.
"I'll be fine,"
I looked at him longingly. For a second I think I saw tears form in his eyes. He never seemed to care. I wanted him to pull me closer and kiss me, but before he did anything, the door opened and my mom and Mrs. Hudson walked in.
We pulled apart and their faces were almost filled with tears, seeing for a second that our hands were together and our faces were sad and loving.
"Oh, get back together. We won't bother you, we promise," my mom said.
I looked at her thinking, With you guys watching, I don't think so!
But Connor didn't seem to mind and reached for my hand and said, "One last moment with you, will mean the world to me,"
I looked at him forgetting my mom and Connor's mom were present at the time and said, "Of course,"
Quietly my mom and Mrs. Hudson slipped out of the room and watched from the window outside without us knowing that they were watching.
"Come here, please," Connor said. I sat on the bed beside him, fingers still entertwined. He looked at me and I blushed.
I could feel him breathing heavily. At that moment, I just wanted everything to stop and freeze this moment and live in it forever.
I could hear Jane going, "Let me see! What's going on in there?!" I didn't mind what Jane or anybody was doing at that point. I was alone with Connor for one last time. It was the only time, I was ever going to see him again.
Connor put his arm around me and I looked at him, he looked at me, and for one moment, love was in the room surrounding us.
I wanted him to kiss me. My first real kiss. And I would share it with Connor.
And I got exactly what I wanted. He kissed my lips softly and sweetly. I wanted to freeze that moment and live in it forever.
He pulled away and I put my head on his chest and I could feel his heart beating fast. I began to cry. I would only hear that for a couple more minutes. And I wanted to hear it beat one last time.
He kissed my hair and said, "Even though I won't make it, I'll always love you, Madison, always," I began to cry even more.
I knew everyone was watching us from outside the door, but it didn't bother me, "Me too, Connor, me too,"
I felt something slip into my pocket. It crinkled. It was a piece of paper that Connor put in.
He was breathing more heavily this time and I knew it was the end.
"Goodbye, Connor," I said.
"Goodbye, Madison," he said.
He kissed my hair one last time. I heard his heart beat one last time... end.
I cried harder than ever. He was dead. His heart wasn't beating anymore.
Everyone came back in the room. Connor's parents started crying. I was crying. My mom, dad, and Jane were staring at us feeling sorry.
I couldn't help, but stay in my position. I looked up at Connor's face. His eyes were shut. He wasn't breathing. His whole world was at an end. His face was pale and dead. I touched his cold cheek and kissed it. My lips were shivering and they turned purple.
I finally stood up, walked to the door, and left the room.
Mr. Hudson went to get the doctor and the rest of us tried to calm Connor down. We didn't know why he was screaming. I thought he was in a lot of pain at the time and he just screamed for some reason.
My heart was thumping wildly, I felt it in my chest. Thump, thump, thump. It felt terrible. My heart was yearning for Connor. And we both knew exactly why.
I, Madison Grace, was in love with Connor Hudson. I was in love with this sick dying fourteen year old boy who won't live to see high school, or graduation, or anything in between. I knew him for so long, I couldn't let him go. I needed to have my last moments with him.
The doctor came in and ushered us to get out of the room. They were doing tests on him and trying to calm him down. I peeked in to see what was going on in there. Jane was getting in the way also. Everyone was anxious to see what was going on.
Finally after what seemed like forever, the doctor let us come in and said, "Connor is sleeping and is okay now, he may scream again at one point, but other than that, he's fine."
We were all relieved. But I knew he wasn't going to be fine for very long. He was still one day away from leaving all of us. It just wasn't meant to be.
Mr. and Mrs. Hudson went back to his room and my family and I went back home. I wanted to stay, but they were very tired and said we could come back tomorrow. But all I could think of was that, what if there is no tomorrow? Maybe he leaves us tonight? I just couldn't stand to think that, so I went home without another word about it.
The next morning we left at 12:30. I was so worried he wouldn't be lying in his bed when we got there, but thank goodness he was still there breathing.
We went into the room where we found Mr. and Mrs. Hudson sleeping in two chairs, but we startled them and they got up.
Connor was fully awake when we got there and was drawing in what looked like a notebook.
"Hey, guys," Connor said when we walked in. My mom and Mrs. Hudson went to get some coffee and my dad and Mr. Hudson went outside the door to talk a bit and I was left with Jane.
"Hey Jane, what's up?" Connor asked sitting up.
"Nothing. Hey, I thought you were sick!" she said noticing he was drawing and sitting up.
"I am sick, I'm just able to do these things," he answered putting away his notebook.
"Ohhhhhh," Jane said long and annoyingly.
He chuckled to himself and said, "Hey, can you get me something?"
Jane walked toward him and said, "Anything!"
He smiled graciously, "Can you go find me an animal magazine and some hot cocoa?"
She grinned, "Of course! Wait right there!" she walked out of the room and down the hall, we could hear skipping sounds.
We laughed, "Were you just getting rid of her?" I asked smiling.
"That was the plan, and I think it worked," he said smiling.
"How do you feel?" I asked concerned.
"Really, not that good," he said watching me look down.
"Oh... do you think today is... the day?" I asked still not looking up.
"Madison... look at me please," he said which made me look at him surprised.
"I don't know if it is, but if it is... I want you to be at my side when it happens," Connor said pulling me closer to him.
"Connor... please tell me you'll be okay," I said.
"I'll be fine,"
I looked at him longingly. For a second I think I saw tears form in his eyes. He never seemed to care. I wanted him to pull me closer and kiss me, but before he did anything, the door opened and my mom and Mrs. Hudson walked in.
We pulled apart and their faces were almost filled with tears, seeing for a second that our hands were together and our faces were sad and loving.
"Oh, get back together. We won't bother you, we promise," my mom said.
I looked at her thinking, With you guys watching, I don't think so!
But Connor didn't seem to mind and reached for my hand and said, "One last moment with you, will mean the world to me,"
I looked at him forgetting my mom and Connor's mom were present at the time and said, "Of course,"
Quietly my mom and Mrs. Hudson slipped out of the room and watched from the window outside without us knowing that they were watching.
"Come here, please," Connor said. I sat on the bed beside him, fingers still entertwined. He looked at me and I blushed.
I could feel him breathing heavily. At that moment, I just wanted everything to stop and freeze this moment and live in it forever.
I could hear Jane going, "Let me see! What's going on in there?!" I didn't mind what Jane or anybody was doing at that point. I was alone with Connor for one last time. It was the only time, I was ever going to see him again.
Connor put his arm around me and I looked at him, he looked at me, and for one moment, love was in the room surrounding us.
I wanted him to kiss me. My first real kiss. And I would share it with Connor.
And I got exactly what I wanted. He kissed my lips softly and sweetly. I wanted to freeze that moment and live in it forever.
He pulled away and I put my head on his chest and I could feel his heart beating fast. I began to cry. I would only hear that for a couple more minutes. And I wanted to hear it beat one last time.
He kissed my hair and said, "Even though I won't make it, I'll always love you, Madison, always," I began to cry even more.
I knew everyone was watching us from outside the door, but it didn't bother me, "Me too, Connor, me too,"
I felt something slip into my pocket. It crinkled. It was a piece of paper that Connor put in.
He was breathing more heavily this time and I knew it was the end.
"Goodbye, Connor," I said.
"Goodbye, Madison," he said.
He kissed my hair one last time. I heard his heart beat one last time... end.
I cried harder than ever. He was dead. His heart wasn't beating anymore.
Everyone came back in the room. Connor's parents started crying. I was crying. My mom, dad, and Jane were staring at us feeling sorry.
I couldn't help, but stay in my position. I looked up at Connor's face. His eyes were shut. He wasn't breathing. His whole world was at an end. His face was pale and dead. I touched his cold cheek and kissed it. My lips were shivering and they turned purple.
I finally stood up, walked to the door, and left the room.
Friday, November 2, 2012
Finding Hope: Chapter 11
We packed up all of our stuff at the hotel and rushed to the airport. I was so afraid I could hardly concentrate on what we were doing.
We were going to stay one extra night in Washington, but Connor being in the hospital and probably won't come out is a big emergency. Jane was probably saying in her little head, "Ugh, we have to leave now because Madison's true love is in the hospital again, oh joy." But I didn't care at all this time. Connor was my best friend and I will stay day and night with him at the hospital until he is done with his days here on earth... which pained me even to think that.
We were on the airplane impatiently waiting for four hours... I was not happy.
Once we were off the plane and back in Tennesee, we... well practically I was franticly rushing to get out of the airport and into a taxi and driving to the hospital. We did that of course and my face was so pale that my mom and dad asked me if I was okay five times, that wasn't fun.
We finally got to the hospital. I ran inside with Jane trying to catch up to me. My mom and dad followed us into Connor's hospital room for the third and final time.
I peeked inside and saw Mr. and Mrs. Hudson sitting beside Connor's bed reading a passage from the Bible. I knocked on the door and they said we could come in.
"Oh, hello Madison, hello Jane," Mrs. Hudson said wiping tears away from her eyes. She got up and hugged me, rather tightly, "He's been waiting for you," she said and walked over to my parents.
Mr. Hudson got up, kissed his son's forehead, and walked over to my parents.
Jane and I walked over to Connor. His whole body was shaking and cold. He looked way worse than before, he looked as if he was going to die right there in front of my little sister and I... and I had a bad feeling he was soon.
I touched his shaking hand and he turned his head which looked painful, "Hey," he said.
"Hi," I replied.
"Did... did you win?" he asked choking on his words.
"I tied... with someone, we tied for first," I said.
"She tied with a boy!" Jane exclaimed. I turned and stared at her saying in my head, "Why did you say that?!" But all Connor said was, "That's good,"
I turned back to look at him and my parents said, "Come Jane, let's give them some time alone." Jane stomped her feet and walked toward them, "Ugh, no fair!"
I kept my eyes looking at him while Jane threw her little tantrum.
Soon, everyone was out of the room and Connor and I were left alone.
"You know, I was thinking about you today. I thought about the first time we met, you had your hair in two braids with two yellow ribbons. You had on a pink and grey checkered dress, you had Mary Jane shoes on too. We were in kindergarten and I just remembered staring at you and staring... I watched you everyday writing in your journal during class each year and each year... you didn't say anything about your writing to me, I always wanted you to show me your stories. I could give you pointers, but you never did," Connor finished his sentence with a loud cough.
"I... I'm sorry I never showed you my stories, I just thought they weren't good enough. I wanted to, but I just couldn't... you know me," I said touching his forehead which felt icy cold, the touch of the coldness made a chill go down my spine.
He swallowed, "I've known you for 9 years, and I hadn't even told you how pretty you look..."
I blushed, "I'm not that pretty, I have some freckles you know,"
"But that's what makes you beautiful, Madison, deep down inside, it's not about how you look on the outside, it's what you look like on the inside that really counts," he said trying to sit up, but I put him back down, "You need to rest," I said.
He didn't object. We sat there in silence pondering over our thoughts for a little while. We knew our families were waiting outside, but I wanted to stay with him a few more minutes.
"It could be tomorrow... maybe tonight..." he said breaking the silence.
We both knew what he was talking about. Death. One word I can't explain. One word I never want to mention. One word I would never look back to.
"Maybe God will have pity on you, Connor, He does that sometimes," I explained.
"No," he shook his head, "My time is almost up. God wants to bring me home soon," I began to cry.
"You can't say that, Connor. You don't know when God will take you, it may be tomorrow, it may be next month, it may be two years from now!" I said grabbing his hands.
"I'm so sorry, Madison... it will be soon," he said.
I clenched my hands so tightly around his hands that they were turning red. I relaxed them a bit.
"You aren't afraid are you?" I asked. Our faces were so close that we could kiss each other.
He shook his head, "Not very much," I pressed my cheek against his and it immediatley felt cold.
He realized my cheek was so warm he put his hand against my other cheek and said, "It's so warm,"
I pulled back, "Do you need more blankets? I could get you some," I said turning to get him some blankets, but he stopped me and said, "I'm fine, I am just not used to the warmness, it is February you know,"
I nodded and walked back to him. Why was he so calm? If I was like this, I would be aching to get another blanket!
Maybe he was leaving soon, I just didn't know, but I didn't want to think about it anymore. And that was when he started screaming.
We were going to stay one extra night in Washington, but Connor being in the hospital and probably won't come out is a big emergency. Jane was probably saying in her little head, "Ugh, we have to leave now because Madison's true love is in the hospital again, oh joy." But I didn't care at all this time. Connor was my best friend and I will stay day and night with him at the hospital until he is done with his days here on earth... which pained me even to think that.
We were on the airplane impatiently waiting for four hours... I was not happy.
Once we were off the plane and back in Tennesee, we... well practically I was franticly rushing to get out of the airport and into a taxi and driving to the hospital. We did that of course and my face was so pale that my mom and dad asked me if I was okay five times, that wasn't fun.
We finally got to the hospital. I ran inside with Jane trying to catch up to me. My mom and dad followed us into Connor's hospital room for the third and final time.
I peeked inside and saw Mr. and Mrs. Hudson sitting beside Connor's bed reading a passage from the Bible. I knocked on the door and they said we could come in.
"Oh, hello Madison, hello Jane," Mrs. Hudson said wiping tears away from her eyes. She got up and hugged me, rather tightly, "He's been waiting for you," she said and walked over to my parents.
Mr. Hudson got up, kissed his son's forehead, and walked over to my parents.
Jane and I walked over to Connor. His whole body was shaking and cold. He looked way worse than before, he looked as if he was going to die right there in front of my little sister and I... and I had a bad feeling he was soon.
I touched his shaking hand and he turned his head which looked painful, "Hey," he said.
"Hi," I replied.
"Did... did you win?" he asked choking on his words.
"I tied... with someone, we tied for first," I said.
"She tied with a boy!" Jane exclaimed. I turned and stared at her saying in my head, "Why did you say that?!" But all Connor said was, "That's good,"
I turned back to look at him and my parents said, "Come Jane, let's give them some time alone." Jane stomped her feet and walked toward them, "Ugh, no fair!"
I kept my eyes looking at him while Jane threw her little tantrum.
Soon, everyone was out of the room and Connor and I were left alone.
"You know, I was thinking about you today. I thought about the first time we met, you had your hair in two braids with two yellow ribbons. You had on a pink and grey checkered dress, you had Mary Jane shoes on too. We were in kindergarten and I just remembered staring at you and staring... I watched you everyday writing in your journal during class each year and each year... you didn't say anything about your writing to me, I always wanted you to show me your stories. I could give you pointers, but you never did," Connor finished his sentence with a loud cough.
"I... I'm sorry I never showed you my stories, I just thought they weren't good enough. I wanted to, but I just couldn't... you know me," I said touching his forehead which felt icy cold, the touch of the coldness made a chill go down my spine.
He swallowed, "I've known you for 9 years, and I hadn't even told you how pretty you look..."
I blushed, "I'm not that pretty, I have some freckles you know,"
"But that's what makes you beautiful, Madison, deep down inside, it's not about how you look on the outside, it's what you look like on the inside that really counts," he said trying to sit up, but I put him back down, "You need to rest," I said.
He didn't object. We sat there in silence pondering over our thoughts for a little while. We knew our families were waiting outside, but I wanted to stay with him a few more minutes.
"It could be tomorrow... maybe tonight..." he said breaking the silence.
We both knew what he was talking about. Death. One word I can't explain. One word I never want to mention. One word I would never look back to.
"Maybe God will have pity on you, Connor, He does that sometimes," I explained.
"No," he shook his head, "My time is almost up. God wants to bring me home soon," I began to cry.
"You can't say that, Connor. You don't know when God will take you, it may be tomorrow, it may be next month, it may be two years from now!" I said grabbing his hands.
"I'm so sorry, Madison... it will be soon," he said.
I clenched my hands so tightly around his hands that they were turning red. I relaxed them a bit.
"You aren't afraid are you?" I asked. Our faces were so close that we could kiss each other.
He shook his head, "Not very much," I pressed my cheek against his and it immediatley felt cold.
He realized my cheek was so warm he put his hand against my other cheek and said, "It's so warm,"
I pulled back, "Do you need more blankets? I could get you some," I said turning to get him some blankets, but he stopped me and said, "I'm fine, I am just not used to the warmness, it is February you know,"
I nodded and walked back to him. Why was he so calm? If I was like this, I would be aching to get another blanket!
Maybe he was leaving soon, I just didn't know, but I didn't want to think about it anymore. And that was when he started screaming.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Finding Hope: Chapter 10
I woke up earlier than anyone else that morning. I wanted to take a shower, get ready, and go downstairs for breakfast.
Once I was done with my shower, I dried my hair, and put it up in a ponytail. I got dressed in athletic green shorts, and a pink faded T-shirt with a tanktop under.
With my shower going on, I woke up my mom and dad. Jane was still snoozing, so my dad and I went down to breakfast while my mom waited for Jane to wake up.
We took the elevator to get to the lobby. We headed for the breakfast room. There weren't a lot of people in there as usual. I got a plate and took a blueberry muffin, yogurt, bacon, and a milk carton, and sit down at a small table.
Dad joins me after he has gotten his food. We eat and talk. It was nice to just be alone with my dad and talk to him for once in a while. I never really noticed how funny he was. I wish I had spent more time with him when I was younger.
"So, today's the big day, isn't it?" he asked when he was finished.
I nodded, "Yeah, so it is," I said finishing my last bite of muffin.
"You nervous?" he asked.
"Sort of, I am really excited though," I smiled.
"Good, you're supposed to have fun with this, you know?"
I replied, "Yes, I know," He had a toothy grin, which always made him look like a rabbit. That always made me giggle to myself.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
We got to the track just in time to get ready.
I saw fliers everywhere that said, Stand Up to Cancer; Peddle for a Cure!
I rolled my bike to the starting line. The judges said we had to ride 2 miles. I've never ridden that far before. That was going to be interesting.
I glanced all of the bikers. I saw a lady about my mom's age which is in her late 30's, a man about the age of 20 or more, a girl about 16 or 17, and a boy about my age.
I stared at the boy. He had lightish brown hair which in the front stuck up and then it was slicked back, he was skinny, and was attractive in a way... why was I thinking this! Get back to the race, Madison!
I hopped up on my bike, put on my helmet, and waited for the gun to go off.
I held on tight and was ready to go. I could feel the pressure. I could feel my parents and Jane watching me. I could still see that boy... I could still see Connor cheering me on at home... BOOM!
I hadn't noticed the gun go off when everyone started biking. I followed.
I peddled as hard and fast as I could. As we started to peddle off into the distance, I still heard people cheering from the starting line.
We peddled up big hills and downwards. Under tunnels and through bridges.
I could see the boy was ahead of everyone. I peddled as hard as I could to catch up with him.
I didn't realize it at first, but then, I was right next to him.
He looked at me and then back and peddled faster. I was still right by him even though he wanted to get ahead of me.
As soon as I knew it we were almost at the finishing line, I peddled a lot faster, but he didn't let me get ahead of him.
We tied.
I was out of breath when all of the other bikers where just coming in. I took off my helmet and my parents and Jane came over to me.
"That, was so awesome!" Jane exclaimed.
"... Thanks," I said out of breath.
My mom gave me a bottle of water, I thankfully took it and drank it.
"Congratulations," my dad said.
"I didn't win though," I said.
"Yeah you did, well that boy over there tied with you," Jane said.
I looked back to see the boy looking at me.
"Oh," I said turning back around.
"We'll be waiting for you in the car, okay?" my mom said.
"Okay, I'll be right there." I responded.
I walked over to the boy who was drinking a bottle of water.
"Hi, congratulations," I told him when he turned around surprised.
"Oh, hi. Uh, you too," he said.
I smiled, "Yeah, um. I guess we tied then,"
"Yeah, I guess. We don't get a prize or anything, though if you're wondering," he said boyishly.
"Oh, I know... so... so who are you biking for?" I asked wondering if he'll respond.
He was hesitant for a moment and then said, "My little sister, she has leukemia,"
I looked down, "Oh, I'm so sorry..." I said feeling sad.
"That's okay... what about you? Who are you biking for?" He asked looking at my sad expression.
"... My... my friend Connor. He has brain cancer..." I said.
"... Oh, I'm really sorry,"
I was quiet. Maybe too quiet because he said, "Well where do you live?"
"Nashville, Tennesee, you?" I said.
"Wow, me too," He said.
"Huh, that's odd that we've never met before," I said surprised.
"Yeah, really,"
I was starting to think this person was a lot like Connor, not the sweet Connor, but the fun, athletic Connor. He reminded me so much of him.
"What's your name?" he finally asked.
My name. My name. What was my name? I couldn't think. Why was I so hung up on this guy that I couldn't even remember my own name?!
"Um, wh... what's yours?" I asked regretting it.
"Francis Bennett,"
I smiled. I liked that name, "Madison Grace," I replied.
He smiled back, "That's a pretty name," he said.
"I like your name too," I said.
All caught up in the moment, I needed to get to the car, "Uh, I got to go, talk to you soon, Francis," I said.
"Okay, bye Madison!" he said.
I waved, "Goodbye, my new friend."
I walked to the car when my mom said, "Madison, get in now! We have to go!"
I panicked, "Why?!" I asked getting in the car.
For one moment, my heart and soul was pounding so hard that they were about to burst, "...Connor is in the hospital again, and this time... I don't think he is coming out."
Once I was done with my shower, I dried my hair, and put it up in a ponytail. I got dressed in athletic green shorts, and a pink faded T-shirt with a tanktop under.
With my shower going on, I woke up my mom and dad. Jane was still snoozing, so my dad and I went down to breakfast while my mom waited for Jane to wake up.
We took the elevator to get to the lobby. We headed for the breakfast room. There weren't a lot of people in there as usual. I got a plate and took a blueberry muffin, yogurt, bacon, and a milk carton, and sit down at a small table.
Dad joins me after he has gotten his food. We eat and talk. It was nice to just be alone with my dad and talk to him for once in a while. I never really noticed how funny he was. I wish I had spent more time with him when I was younger.
"So, today's the big day, isn't it?" he asked when he was finished.
I nodded, "Yeah, so it is," I said finishing my last bite of muffin.
"You nervous?" he asked.
"Sort of, I am really excited though," I smiled.
"Good, you're supposed to have fun with this, you know?"
I replied, "Yes, I know," He had a toothy grin, which always made him look like a rabbit. That always made me giggle to myself.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
We got to the track just in time to get ready.
I saw fliers everywhere that said, Stand Up to Cancer; Peddle for a Cure!
I rolled my bike to the starting line. The judges said we had to ride 2 miles. I've never ridden that far before. That was going to be interesting.
I glanced all of the bikers. I saw a lady about my mom's age which is in her late 30's, a man about the age of 20 or more, a girl about 16 or 17, and a boy about my age.
I stared at the boy. He had lightish brown hair which in the front stuck up and then it was slicked back, he was skinny, and was attractive in a way... why was I thinking this! Get back to the race, Madison!
I hopped up on my bike, put on my helmet, and waited for the gun to go off.
I held on tight and was ready to go. I could feel the pressure. I could feel my parents and Jane watching me. I could still see that boy... I could still see Connor cheering me on at home... BOOM!
I hadn't noticed the gun go off when everyone started biking. I followed.
I peddled as hard and fast as I could. As we started to peddle off into the distance, I still heard people cheering from the starting line.
We peddled up big hills and downwards. Under tunnels and through bridges.
I could see the boy was ahead of everyone. I peddled as hard as I could to catch up with him.
I didn't realize it at first, but then, I was right next to him.
He looked at me and then back and peddled faster. I was still right by him even though he wanted to get ahead of me.
As soon as I knew it we were almost at the finishing line, I peddled a lot faster, but he didn't let me get ahead of him.
We tied.
I was out of breath when all of the other bikers where just coming in. I took off my helmet and my parents and Jane came over to me.
"That, was so awesome!" Jane exclaimed.
"... Thanks," I said out of breath.
My mom gave me a bottle of water, I thankfully took it and drank it.
"Congratulations," my dad said.
"I didn't win though," I said.
"Yeah you did, well that boy over there tied with you," Jane said.
I looked back to see the boy looking at me.
"Oh," I said turning back around.
"We'll be waiting for you in the car, okay?" my mom said.
"Okay, I'll be right there." I responded.
I walked over to the boy who was drinking a bottle of water.
"Hi, congratulations," I told him when he turned around surprised.
"Oh, hi. Uh, you too," he said.
I smiled, "Yeah, um. I guess we tied then,"
"Yeah, I guess. We don't get a prize or anything, though if you're wondering," he said boyishly.
"Oh, I know... so... so who are you biking for?" I asked wondering if he'll respond.
He was hesitant for a moment and then said, "My little sister, she has leukemia,"
I looked down, "Oh, I'm so sorry..." I said feeling sad.
"That's okay... what about you? Who are you biking for?" He asked looking at my sad expression.
"... My... my friend Connor. He has brain cancer..." I said.
"... Oh, I'm really sorry,"
I was quiet. Maybe too quiet because he said, "Well where do you live?"
"Nashville, Tennesee, you?" I said.
"Wow, me too," He said.
"Huh, that's odd that we've never met before," I said surprised.
"Yeah, really,"
I was starting to think this person was a lot like Connor, not the sweet Connor, but the fun, athletic Connor. He reminded me so much of him.
"What's your name?" he finally asked.
My name. My name. What was my name? I couldn't think. Why was I so hung up on this guy that I couldn't even remember my own name?!
"Um, wh... what's yours?" I asked regretting it.
"Francis Bennett,"
I smiled. I liked that name, "Madison Grace," I replied.
He smiled back, "That's a pretty name," he said.
"I like your name too," I said.
All caught up in the moment, I needed to get to the car, "Uh, I got to go, talk to you soon, Francis," I said.
"Okay, bye Madison!" he said.
I waved, "Goodbye, my new friend."
I walked to the car when my mom said, "Madison, get in now! We have to go!"
I panicked, "Why?!" I asked getting in the car.
For one moment, my heart and soul was pounding so hard that they were about to burst, "...Connor is in the hospital again, and this time... I don't think he is coming out."
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