I was sitting on the couch downstairs in the living room thinking; thinking about my life. Daddy told me just a few  days ago that everybody had something sad in their life. For example one or both parents might travel a lot, or be sick, or maybe even dead. But as far as I knew everybody was alive and didn’t travel. And I don’t think anybody is sick. 

“Katie! It is time to come upstairs.” my dad yelled from upstairs. It sounded like it was coming from my mom’s room. I could smell her nice fresh smell just from thinking about her. 

“I’ll be upstairs soon, I just need to find my Harry Potter book and blanket,” I respond. He doesn’t respond but something else seemed to. THUMP and then running footsteps. It then quieted down. 

I wonder what happened? I thought to myself but then shrugged it off. And then it was quiet again. But then it sounded like footsteps were coming down the stairs.

“Dad?” I question hopefully.

“Yes honey, he says grunting, I have to go to the hospital with your mom. I’m sorry! But I promise I will explain everything later. I’ll be back in around 45 minutes.

“O-o-o-o-kkkkkk dad,” I say stuttering feeling the tears starting to fall. And I knew if I tried to say something then my voice would crack. I ran up the stairs after finding my blanket and book and cried. I cried for 20 straight minutes. Then I started to read. I kind of lost track of time but then I heard the front door open and close. CLISH CLASH “Dad?” I say once again hopeful. 

“Yes, honey?” My dad responds, his head appearing through my doorway.

“Why did you go to the hospital?And where is mom?”

“Mom is still at the hospital.” Dad says very solemnly.

“Wait? Is she ok” I say already thinking about the worst possibilities. Was she dead? Did she have a disease? What was going to happen?     

“Katie, your mom has cancer. She is really sick right now but she will be ok and just needs a quick surgery to try to get it out.”

Those words felt like I’d just gotten the wind knocked out of me. I could barely stand and, I felt like I needed to throw up. At that moment I realized that my life was never going to be the same. I was going to have more responsibility. My carefree child days were over.

“Can we visit her,” I pleaded on the verge of starting to cry again.

“Today the visiting hours are done, Dad says glancing at the clock, “but tomorrow as soon as you kids get out of school. I know this hard but just remember you are brave!”

“Ok,” I say plopping onto my bed.

“Goodnight honey.” Dad says kissing my cheek.

“Goodnight,” I say smiling for the first time all night.

I guess Dad is right there is something bad in everybody’s life… My mom has cancer. Those were the last thoughts I thought before I fell asleep.