But the 20,000 dollars in my account was from a part-time job I had done last month.
I clenched my fists, feeling a bitter lump in my throat that I couldn’t swallow. I had hoped they would save me, but it was all a foolish dream. I opened my mouth, but no words came out.
My father, thinking I was guilty, cursed me a few more times before hanging up.
Pain shot through my body. The ache, deep in my bones, spread throughout my limbs, making me collapse onto the bed, nausea overwhelming me.
I glanced at my bank account to find only 30 dollars left. I pushed myself up, determined to buy some painkillers at the hospital.
But when I walked into the hospital, I saw Yolana Bowen walking toward me.
She had a fever patch on her forehead, and behind her were my parents, looking at her with pity, along with a group of doctors.
“Grace, why are you at the hospital? I haven’t seen you at school lately. I heard you’re living with your boyfriend.” Her eyes fell to my stomach.
Because of my illness, I was more sensitive to the cold than most. I had layered up when I left, making me look heavier than usual.
Yolana tried to hide her shock, putting a hand over her mouth. “Grace, are you actually pregnant? How could your boyfriend let you come to the hospital by yourself?”
My parents, hearing this, immediately froze.
“So that’s why you needed money? You’re going to have an abortion? You liar. You made up a cancer story to deceive me. How could you curse yourself for money!”
If they had bothered to ask, they would know I’d dropped out of school long ago. How could I be fooling around with other men?
My father yanked me by the ear, ready to scold me in public. My vision blurred, and I stumbled, nearly falling.
I wanted to hand them my diagnosis and tell them to stop listening to Yolana’s nonsense, but they didn’t even glance at it. Instead, they crushed the paper underfoot.
“I don’t know whose child you’re pregnant with. Stay away with me so you won’t dirty my eyes!”
“I’m not pregnant! I never lied, please believe me.”
They completely ignored me, taking Yolana’s hand and walking away.
I used the last of my money to buy painkillers, swallowing several tablets one after another.
But why did my heart still ache so badly? Why did it feel so cold?
I dragged my aching body out of the hospital, staring at the gray-blue sky, unsure of where to go from here.
