From Sneers to Cheers: Anthea’s Ascent

Gage shook his head, struggling for words. After a moment, he choked out, "The doctor said Tanya... Tanya might only have three months left."

"What?" Karan's face drained of color, and she stifled a sob with her hand.

Three months.

Only three months left...

Tears welled up in Gage's eyes too. "Hey, come on, don't cry. We don't want Tanya to see us like this. Who knows? With all the miracles in the world, maybe she'll beat this thing with the radiation therapy." Karan was inconsolable, sliding down against the wall to the floor, wishing it were her instead.

Why?

"Oh, Gage!" Karan embraced him tightly.

Gage was at a loss for words, not knowing how to comfort his wife.

The couple held each other, sobbing for what felt like an eternity.

Their grief went unnoticed.

Where were they?

In a hospital.

A place all too familiar with parting and loss.

Disease is merciless.

who see it often grow

Karan and Gage managed to compose

to this, we can't let Tanya leave this world with regrets. We

sighed and nodded, "Yeah. Let's talk it over when Hank and Jane come

no small

"Alright."

At dusk.

bringing some comfort food

Tanya's nap, Karan and Gage called

to talk to us about

and I think... we can't let her leave with

wasn't Karan and Gage's

abandoned

Gage who,

treated her

"Yeah," Gage confirmed.

to invite Tanya's birth parents to see her. It's only right they know,

voiced his concern, "But will

this, as parents, they

"Little sis?!"

Suddenly, Jane gasped.

one expected Tanya to appear right

eerily calm, not at all the emotional wreck they'd anticipated. Instead, she offered a

Don't bother

once, they mean nothing to