Farewell

Chapter Ten: The Time Is Near

August 8
Dear Diary,
Autumn is in the hospital and her brain tumor is back, but it is bigger than it was before. She may have to have another surgery to remove anything that is making the cancer grow. Autumn hasn't been eating and she is on chemotherapy once again. She is very weak and can't stand, and she is puking again. We may think her time is near, but we aren't giving up yet.
-A

I was making myself a peanut butter and jelly sandwich whenever Mickey came shuffling into the room crying.
"What's wrong Mickey Mouse?" I asked setting my knife down and kneeling down in front of him.
"Is Auty going to die?" He said wiping his red eyes.
"No, Auty will not die" I assured him. I wasn't sure though, because her time is near is what mom is certain of.
"Than why do mommy and dada keep saying that?"
"What?"
"They said to you and Dandy the other day that Auty was very sick and she will die soon"
Mom did say that, I remembered it.
"That doesn't mean she will. She is very sick but she won't let herself die."
"I miss her." He said, his lip quivering
"I know," I said hugging him "I do too"

Mom and dad came home from the hospital whenever I got done with taking a bath, and they didn't look festive. They both walked past me and smiled softly, patting my shoulder. I followed them.
"Mommy? Daddy?" I asked them, they kept walking.
"Is something the matter?" They finally stopped, sat down at the kitchen table, and looked at me with their cheeks stained from tears.
"Autumn has a 10% chance of living" dad said.
"What" I mumbled.
I didn't care, I didn't even try, I just broke down. Mom and dad joined in, hugging me.
My little sister Autumn, will die in a matter of days. 10% chance of living. Decided to do something, my sister needs a cure.
"Momma?" I asked looking up from the group hug.
"Yes" she said sniffling.
"Can I sell lemonade at the hospital tomorrow and donate the money to the hospital?" I asked. She looked surprised.
"Um, I guess you can" she replied letting out a small smile.
"We have to go but the supplies though" she said.
"I know, can we go after my gymnastics practice?"
"I suppose. Buster, would you mind putting Mickey down for his nap?"
"No, I'll go do that now" dad stood up from his chair he just sat down in and went to the living room to bring Mickey upstairs.
"What kid of lemonade would you like to sell?" Mom asked, sweeping away the hair in front of my eyes.
"Yellow, pink, raspberry, strawberry, and kool-aid"
"Okay I can but that after I drop you off at the gym"
"Can I sell water too maybe?"
"I suppose there is no harm in it"
"Thank you" I said and hugged mom. I went upstairs and got ready for gymnastics. My shiny blue leotard with purple swirls outlined in fake jewels, my lucky leo, as I call it. I went to gymnastics and did my best, but it was very hard to concentrate with Autumn and the lemonade stand on my mind.
Will it all work out? Will it sell? Will anyone even care about my little sister that is suffering, and even dying?
I guess we will have to find out.