Chapter 28: Let's Talk Logistics Part 2

"She would cough, sneeze, and be congested. It was like that for months. But then the fevers came. And soon the body aches came. And soon the chest pains and her breathing became labored. She uh... my father loved her and cared for her very much. More than anything in the world. Especially more than me. He paid for every test that could be done. Sent her off to do experimental drugs. Anything he could think of to make her better. She had begun to lose weight. Dark rings were under her eyes most days. She stopped eating. Became weak. Soon she went from being this gorgeous actress to being in a wheelchair." Carter cleared his throat as tears betrayed him and fell. "I watched my mother slowly waste away and there was nothing anyone could do but watch."

Ariana let a sob escape from her lips and Carter peered over at her shivering form. Lucky whined and crawled over to nudge her draped hand with her cold wet nose. Ariana wrapped her arms around the dog and sobbed into her fur.