Page 61 of Our Little Moments

Dammit, Stella justkeepsmaking her way into my heart.

“It’s like I can’t escape it. There are reminders of my parents, of everything they were, everywhere. It’s like I can’t move forward no matter how hard I try.” I take in a shaky breath, tears filling my eyes when I continue. “I keep reliving that day. Over and fucking over.”

The air is thick in the living room. No one says a word. We can hear Hazel crying from her bedroom.

I hate feeling so goddamn powerless. My little sister’s been sick for the last few weeks. No one can figure out what’s wrong. No one can fix it.

I can tell how hard this is on Mom and Dad. They haven’t said a word all night. They barely spoke all week.

Layla is coloring on the table, but I see her teary eyes from afar. Layla has loved being the older sister since Hazel was born. It’s hard to see her little sister sick.

It’s hard on all of us.

Isabella is hugging Mom. When Isa’s distressed, hugs are the only way to soothe her.

The seconds tick by. Everyone stands still.

Tick. Tick. Tick.

Hazel starts crying hysterically upstairs.

“Oh for fuck’s sake.” I rarely curse in front of my parents, but my heart is breaking here. We’re all worried sick here, but Hazel is alone in her bedroom. She has no way of knowing just how loved she is. For all she knows, she’s sick and alone in the world.

The healers who came by told us to keep some distance because we don’t know if we can get sick too.

At this point, I don’t care if I get sick. As long as my sister doesn’t feel alone.

It’s been a week now. The night is slowly settling in and I’m sitting on the couch, trying to comfort Hazel to sleep. She hasn’t gotten much rest in the last few weeks.

None of us have.

Mom sits beside me, a warm smile on her face. “Adrian?”

“Yeah?”

She sighs. “Your father and I are getting really worried. She isn’t getting any better.”

Layla’s been sleeping on the floor in Hazel’s room, making sure she knows she isn’t on her own. Isa buried herself in school work. Mom and Dad are looking for answers everywhere.

I know what’s coming before she even says a word.

“Me and your dad are going to go visit the other towns. Maybe they’ll know what to do. You remember Scarlett, my best friend? She’ll come over and look after you four. ”

I nod, barely looking away from Hazel. Dammit, she’s finally fallen asleep, but Mom’s voice woke her up.

I sigh brokenly. “I hope Hazel will get better soon. Seeing her like this is killing me.”

My mom rubs her thumb over my cheek, dragging my eyes in her direction. “I promise we’ll find a way, Adrian.”

After that, I set Hazel in her crib and glance at Layla in the dark. She smiles sadly and closes the door behind me, stayingin Hazel’s room to hopefully soothe her back to sleep. I step outside in the cold night with Isabella to say goodbye to our parents.

We don’t have many cars in our town, but everyone practically threw the keys of one of the trucks we have with a smile without us having to ask. Everyone in town loves Hazel.

My parents hug me and I stare at the car’s lights until they fade away in the darkness.

I didn’t know then it would be the last time I’d see them.

The next morning, I rush down the stairs, still half-asleep. Scarlett, who’d just arrived to take care of us, looks over at me with more heartbreak than I ever thought I could see in someone’s eyes. All previous sleepiness fades away and I’m on high alert.

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