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.
