NOTE: This series chronicles the wishes Tina writes in the Wish Journal she received from her aunt when she turned 13. To better understand Tina's character, be sure to read her other wishes in chronological order. Tina hung up the phone and felt like she lost control of her limbs; they seemed extraordinarily heavy. She sunk to the floor of the kitchen, the news still echoed in her ears: Aunt Gemma's cancer is back. It had escalated quickly, according to her mother. Hospice said Aunt Gemma had a month at best, a few days at worst. Tina had been home so often this past year due to her aunt's health, that just by glancing at the clock on the microwave she knew that the next bus for home left at 10 P.M. Five hours from now. The only thing Tina could do right now was sit and wait. Waiting was the worst. Tears filled her eyes at the thought of not being there when Aunt Gemma decided to pass. Her aunt was the most wonderful, generous, and gracious person Tina knew. Ruby, Tina's awkward roommate, sat watching The Wheel of Fortune while eating a bowl of soup, oblivious to what had just happened. Not wanting to cause a scene, Tina crept into her bedroom. Fresh laundry sat in a basket on her bed--that was what she was doing before she got The Call. With the time Tina had, she decided to pack herself a bag and contact her professor's and her boss at the diner to let them know she'd be out of class for at least a week. Then she would give a heads up to her friends for their lecture notes. There was so much to do. Tina reached for the dark blue gym bad that she used when she took trips home. She couldn't remember the last time she had put it back in the closet. Every time she'd emptied it, it seemed like she was packing it again. It sat next to her dresser and she snatched it up, only to find the Wish Journal tucked away beneath it. It always seemed to find her when she needed it the most. Fresh tears filled her eyes when she thought: That's just like Aunt Gemma, to always be there when I need her. Wish #11: I wish for Aunt Gemma to get better. I wish for what seems like the impossible: to reverse death. Aunt Gemma won't be here this time next month; what a horrible, sobering thought! Aunt Gemma is always there... was always there. Always. She was there when Dad died. During my crazy teenage years. She always made me feel like she knew who I was to become and cheered me on until I figured out how amazing I could be. I'm not there yet; I still need her.
I wish Aunt Gemma didn't have to die. I wish the cancer didn't come back. I wish there was a cure. I wish I couldn't feel the pain. I wish Aunt Gemma wouldn't feel the pain.
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January 2022
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