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

Gage managed

it's come to this, we can't let Tanya leave this world with

talk it over when Hank and Jane

no

"Alright."

At dusk.

Jane arrived, bringing some comfort food

nap, Karan and Gage called

Dad, you wanted to talk to

advised us to prepare for the worst. Your mom and I think... we can't let her leave with any regrets." Jane sensed the

wasn't Karan and Gage's

was abandoned at

Gage who, longing for

always treated her as their

"Yeah," Gage confirmed.

parents to see her. It's only right they know, and she knows

voiced his concern, "But will they

have hearts," Karan sighed. "Facing this, as parents,

"Little sis?!"

Suddenly, Jane gasped.

Tanya to appear

seemed eerily calm, not at all the emotional wreck they'd

bother reachin

abandon me once, they mean nothing to me now. You're