Whispers Turn to Whimpers: Could He Ever Change?

They truly did her wrong!

"Your daughter, she's all grown up now..."

And to think, not one of them knew!

Sherilyn pressed her lips together, unable to say "it's okay," all she could do was remain silent.

"Hey, sis." Galen managed to collect himself, flashing a grin, "When can I meet Jenna?" "Sure."

Sherilyn nodded; with the surgery already scheduled, it was indeed time for Jenna to meet him. Beyond just being her uncle, it was time for Jenna to meet the man who'd be giving her the precious gift of life through a bone marrow donation. "Ah!"

Galen slapped his forehead, suddenly excited, "I need to get a gift! I can't meet my niece for the first time empty-handed. What does Jenna like? Sis, you've got to let me know!"

"Of course." Sherilyn nodded with a smile.

---

At the hospital.

Gilbert slowly opened his eyes. The afternoon in the hospital room was peaceful. A nurse dozed on a nearby chair, and someone with long hair draped over their shoulders was slumped beside the bed. Sherilyn...?

Gilbert frowned, lifting his hand.

The person stirred, looking up to see him awake, a mix of surprise and joy, "Gilbert, you're awake?"

It wasn't Sherilyn, it was Caroline.

Gilbert's raised hand quickly fell back down-of course, how could it be Sherilyn? Sherilyn had left him... "Feeling any better?"

Caroline reached out, wanting to check his forehead's temperature.

"Much better."

Gilbert turned his head away, and Caroline's hand missed.

"It's just sweat," Gilbert explained, "Don't worry about dirtying your hands... I'm feeling a lot better."

Caroline gave a small smile, retracting her hand, "That's good then."

The nurse awoke, bringing over some water, "Mr. Gilbert, would you like some water?"

"Yeah."

"Give it here."

Caroline took the water from the nurse and handed it to Gilbert, "I'll hold it, you drink."

"I can manage myself." Gilbert shook his head, "It's not like I'm critically ill."

He took the cup, tilted his head back, and drank it down, then handed the empty cup back to the nurse.

"I need a shower, could you run the water for me?"

"Of course."

The nurse agreed and left.

Gilbert then turned to Caroline, "Caroline..."

Just then, Caroline's phone rang, interrupting him.

She lifted the phone, "I need to take this call, I'll step out."

Saying so, she wheeled herself out of the room, "Hello..."

The nurse returned from the bathroom, "Mr. Gilbert, your bath is ready." "Okay."

Gilbert nodded, getting up to head to the bathroom.

Soaking in the warm water, Gilbert closed

his

smiling,

eyes, images of Sherilyn

scolding, angry, filled his

mind... all of it!

He took a deep breath and suddenly dunked underwater.

It's okay!

He'll forget!

With time, he'll surely forget!

SV

Sherilyn was right about one thing: who in this world can't live without someone else?

He had been alone since birth, and yet, he had made it this far, hadn't he?

Only now, there was this emptiness in his chest... as if it was a barren wasteland, devoid of life! Was this his karma?

Back then, he didn't appreciate her, and now, she treated him like an old shoe!

What goes around comes around, doesn't it?

By the time he came out of the bathroom, Caroline was back, waving him over to the dining table.

"Finished with your shower? Come

over,

got some porridge

light sides, good for thee with et

digestion."

Gilbert, drying his hair, glanced at her, then at the dining table.

He nodded, pulling out a chair to sit down. "Thanks."

"Why the formality?" Caroline

and

playfully glared at him, "What, just because you didn't return my feelings, we're not family

Smore?"