"Okay, Ree I despise him."
"That much better,I also despise him," Serena said as they both bursted out with laughter.
Suddenly the other kids rush to her on seeing her "Serena,we missed you," they said almost together, as the place that was once quiet and dull became rowdy and scattered with children in the children's shelter as they rushed to greet her.
"okay, calm down all of you" one of the caregivers reprimanded them.
"Serena turned to the kids " who is ready for their snacks and treaties?"
All the children chorused "ME!!! Serena started distributing the candies she had recently bought for the kids.
"Ms Serena,I told you candies are no good for the kids," one of the caregivers told her.
"I know Miss Mia,it just for today I promise."
"You said so the last time," Miss Mia grumbled.
"I know Miss Mia," she said again. Miss Mia eventually gave up as she muttered to herself " you are really insufferable," she said as she shaked her head.
"I heard that, Miss Mia" Serena said jokingly as Miss Mia and the other caregiver smiled at her playfulness.
Serena turned to the kids "Are y'all ready for today games?"
"Yes Serena," they chorused.
"Very well then, All of you must head to the field on a single file." as the children formed a line amongst themselves ranging from youngest to oldest as they all marched down to the field.
Serena turned around and head to the manager's office as she previously received a text message from her informing her to come to her office regarding Abi's appointment on Thursday.
She was very nervous as she anticipated the news hoping to hear positive feedback. She walked to the manager's office and knocked on the door with her heart on her chest as she waited patiently by the door.
She heard a soft "Come in" and immediately turned the door knob to enter her office,the manager turned to her and waved her to come closer "Good to see you, Miss Serena,how are your grandparents?" the manager was an elderly woman and was very nice and friendly.
"They are very fine Mrs Crawford,I saw your message."
"Ah yes,concerning Abigail's health right?"
"Yes ma" Serena said as her heart started beating rapidly in her chest, she has experienced something like this with her own parent,that was why she was very terrified to get any kind of news pertaining health issues.
They recently realized that Abigail might have a disease,she would cough persistently and would develop chills in the night with her feeling week all the time,they decided to seek medical help, the doctor later reported that she has pneumonia,
Since then Abigail had been going in and out of the hospital for her routine checkup,on Thursday was her third appointment day
"The report for her chest scan came in yesterday, though it not something we are happy to share,I have to inform you as I know how important Abigail means to you."
"Please do tell me Mrs Crawford you are beginning to scare me."
"Unfortunately for us due to the late discovery of her pneumonia,she had developed lung scarring," Mrs Crawford paused.
"Lung scarring? What does that mean?"
Serena said beginning to grow frustrated now.
"I can't say for sure, Ms Serena, but what I know for sure is that she might be needing a lung transplant if it gets serious."
"What do you mean,she has lung scarring. The Abigail I saw now appeared just fine to me,there must have been a mistake." Serena screamed becoming angry with herself, she could not afford to lose her,she had already lost so much people in her life.
The little girl was like a daughter to her and the girl was just 10years old, what do they mean she has lung scarring she thought.
"Fortunately,for us it was discovered early and she can be treated immediately,she already started the treatment" Mrs Crawford informed her.
Her little girl had lung scarring and she might need a transplant" that was all Serena could hear and think about as she took a deep breath forcing herself to remain calm.
"You can take a look at her test results," Mrs Crawford said.
she took the results and examined the piece of paper,there was a picture of a lung and some marked place around the lung image along with a long written report written under the lung picture but she could barely understand the words as she stared at the piece of paper.
"How can a piece of paper give out such brutal news,"she thought to herself.
"I will take my leave now Mrs Crawford" she said as she turned to leave before she could turn the door knob opened.
Mrs Crawford called to her "don't beat yourself Serena,I say this as a mother, the doctor assured me that it would not be a problem."
Serena left the office absentmindedly, how can this be happening at this crucial time she thought as tears began to pool from her eyes.
She rushed to the restroom and wept bitterly,Once she had cried her eyes out
She watched her face with cold water to calm her puffy eyes before coming out and joining the kids in the field as she did not want any of them to figure out she had been crying.
As she entered the field Abi spotted her first, and ran to her,as the little girl observed her puffy face and her reddened eyes.
She tried to appear cheerful for the girl but nothing could ever pass Abi's eyes.
"Ree, I've you been crying?" Abi asked her
"What no"she quickly denied it "why do you think so," Serena said as she brushed her hair back.
Abi looked at her for a long time before finally saying "Ree, I don't want you to beat yourself because of my health,I'll be fine."
This time she could not hold it in as a single teardrop fell from her eyes, she quickly wiped it out angrily "yes Abigail you will be fine,I will make sure of it" she said firmly as she rubbed the little girls face affectionately.