DISAPPOINTED APPOINTMENT

Jake, it's good news," Mom said, her voice lighter. "The doctor didn't find anything serious. The tests came back clear."

I felt relieved, and I let out a breath I didn't know I'd been holding. "That's great, Mom. What did they say?"

"They think it was just exhaustion like as we were earlier told the nurse suspected. Lily needs to rest, but she's going to be fine, and she will be discharged tomorrow morning.

"My heart lifted, the tension started to fade. "Thanks, Mom. I'll tell Sam."

"I'll be home tomorrow morning with Lily," she added. "Thank you for everything today, Jake."

After hanging up, I rushed to the living room, where Sam was still playing with his toys.

Guess what, Sam?" I said, grinning as I sat down beside him.

"What?" he asked, wide-eyed, looking up at me.

"Lily's going to be okay. She's coming home tomorrow!"

Sam's face lit up. "Really?"

"Really," I confirmed, ruffling his hair.

The weight I'd been carrying all day was suddenly a lot lighter. Lily was okay. I made sure Sam ate dinner and was settled before heading to my room. As I sat on the edge of my bed, I pulled out my phone and dialed Anita's number.

She picked up on the first ring. "Jake? How's Lily?"

"She's fine," I said, the smile on my face growing. "The doctor says she's just exhausted. They're letting her go home tomorrow."

Oh, thank God," Anita breathed. "I'm so glad to hear that!"

"I knew you'd be," I chuckled. "Actually, I wanted to see if you'd want to meet tomorrow."

"Of course! Where?"

"Our usual spot?" I suggested. "The coffee café on Main Street?"

Anita laughed softly. " Absolutely."

Great," I said, already feeling the excitement building. "How about 7pm.?"

"Perfect," she agreed. "I can't wait."

Neither could I. After all the worry and stress, a quiet evening with Anita sounded like exactly what I needed.

The Next Morning:

I woke up early, the relief from last night still fresh in my mind. Lily was coming home today, and that alone made everything feel lighter. I headed straight to the kitchen at about 6am to get started on breakfast. I wanted to have everything ready before Mom, Lily, comes, and Sam got up.

Scrambled eggs, toast, and some fruit—it wasn't fancy, but it would do. As I cooked, I kept thinking about the afternoon shift I had later at work and our final exams tomorrow. I'd be rushing from home to work, then straight to meet Anita at 7 p.m. for our little talk at the cafe shop.

After setting the table, I heard the front door creak open. Mom and Lily were home. I quickly wiped my hands on a towel and rushed to greet them.

"Hey!" I called, a huge smile on my face as I saw Lily looking much better, walking slowly beside Mom.

"Hey, Jake!" Lily beamed, looking tired but healthy. "I'm okay!"

"Good to have you home, kiddo," I said, giving her a gentle hug. "I made breakfast."

"Jake, you didn't have to," Mom said, looking a little surprised but grateful. "Thank you."

"It's no big deal," I shrugged. "Just glad Lily's home."

We sat down for breakfast together, and for the first time in a while, things felt normal. I knew I had work in the afternoon, and my responsibilities weren't going anywhere, but for now, I could breathe a little easier.

Later, after I'd cleaned up and prepped for work, I caught myself checking the clock, counting down to when I'd see Anita again. That coffee café on Main Street—our favorite spot—would be the perfect way to end a day that started with such relief.

With Lily home safe, I thought things were finally starting to calm down.

I had work in the afternoon, but what I really looked forward to was meeting Emily at 7 p.m. at our favorite coffee shop. It was supposed to be a break from all the chaos, especially with our final exams tomorrow.

Work felt like it was dragging. I kept checking the clock, eager to finish my shift and see Anita. But then, just an hour before I was supposed to leave, my phone buzzed. It was Mom.

"Jake, I need you to come home after work," she said, her voice firm.

"Mom, I… I had plans," I replied, trying to explain without getting into too much detail. "I was going to meet someone…"

But Mom cut me off. "Jake, I need you to come home right after your shift. My manager just called—he's asked me to take the night shift because I wasn't able to come in this afternoon with everything that happened with Lily.

My stomach sank. The evening I had been looking forward to with Anita—gone. I rubbed my forehead, trying to think of how I was going to tell her. Mom was right, though. She needed me to be home. Sam and Lily couldn't stay alone, and there was no one else to step in.

"Okay, Mom," I said quietly, feeling the disappointment hit me hard. "I'll come home."

As soon as I hung up, dread settled in. How was I going to tell Anita? She was probably already at the café, waiting for me. I grabbed my phone and called her, hoping she'd understand.

Jake! Are you on your way?" she asked, sounding happy and excited.

I hesitated. "Anita… I can't make it tonight."

There was a long pause. "What? Why not?"

"My mom has to work the night shift, and I have to stay with Sam and Lily," I explained, my voice filled with guilt. "I'm really sorry."

"Jake… I'm already at the café, waiting for you," she said, her voice colder now. "You should have told me earlier?"

"I just found out. I didn't have a choice," I tried to explain, feeling terrible.

"This is always happening, Jake. You always cancel at the last minute," she said, her frustration clear. "I thought tonight mattered to you."

"It does! Anita, it does. I just can't let my family down," I said, my heart racing as I tried to make her understand.

"And what about me, Jake? I'm always the one left waiting." Her voice was sharp now, full of disappointment.

"I'll make it up to you," I pleaded. "After our final exams tomorrow, we can meet. I promise."

"Tomorrow?" she said, her voice quiet but full of disbelief. "You always say 'tomorrow,' Jake. I'm tired of it."

"Anita, please, just give me one more chance," I said, feeling desperate.

There was a long silence, and then, without another word, she hung up.

I stared at my phone, my heart sinking. She was already at the coffee shop, and I had let her down again. What if this was the last time she was willing to wait?

I was left standing there, unsure of what would happen next. Tomorrow was our final exam, but now, I wasn't sure if I'd have a chance to make things right with Anita.

Would she ever give me listening ears?