2

Julia

"Oh, you're here!" Mel hisses as soon as she notices my presence in the hospital room. And as always, she hugs me warmly. However, I don’t take my eyes off my little boy.

"How was today?" I ask, seeking to know.

"He's really tired and slept almost all day." I let out a sigh of sympathy and approach the bed to place a calm kiss on his hair.

"I’m heading out now." Melissa announces, adjusting her bag on her shoulder.

"Okay. And thank you for staying with him again!"

"You know I do it with love, right? You don’t need to thank me, dear. After all, that’s what friends are for, and besides, I’m Alex’s godmother."

I smile, and after she leaves, I stay by my son’s side for a while.

"Mommy?" His weak voice causes a knot to form in my throat.

"Hi, baby!" I put some excitement in my voice as I hug him, lying on the bed.

"You took so long!"

"I know. Mommy had a meeting, but..." I open a wide smile and take out my bag. "I brought something for your collection." My boy breaks into a spontaneous, yet weak, smile, his eyes filled with anticipation as I take out a small package and extend it to him.

"Wow, this one’s really old!" He exclaims, admiring the miniature sports car in the palm of his hand. "How did you get this?"

"Does it matter?" I tease, tickling him. "Did you like it?"

"I love it!" Alex still has his eyes fixed on the toy. "Can you put it with the others?" He asks, handing me back the car, and I place it on a table in the corner of the room, where half a dozen cars are already lined up. However, when I return, Alex is already asleep again.

I would give my life to save his.

I think to myself, feeling the knot tighten in my throat once more. But I decide to let him rest and lie down beside him for a while. Hours later, I eat the sandwich I brought in my bag and focus on studying the file for the new project from Bennett Designer. I search for the best options for a pleasant and comfortable leisure area that won't contrast with the client's proposed requirements. Seconds later, I start drawing a blueprint with its numbers, shapes, and colors. And before I know it, I am overcome by exhaustion.

***

"Hey!" I hear the sound of a low voice beside me, and with a groan, I open a small gap in my eyes, finding Dr. Aristides standing right in front of me. I immediately compose myself and realize that I had fallen asleep on top of a pile of papers and pencils.

"Oh, Doctor, good morning!" I stand up immediately.

"Good morning! Did you sleep here?" He seems surprised.

"Oh... it's just that... I had some work to do and..." I yawn. "I took advantage of the night to get ahead."

The doctor forces a smile.

"Can we talk for a bit, Júlia?"

"Oh... of course."

The serious tone he used for his inquiry makes me feel somewhat uneasy, and that makes me glance at my son, who is still sleeping soundly. We then leave the room and head straight to his office. The young doctor sits behind his desk and politely gestures to a chair for me.

"I just received the latest results from Alex's tests." Aristides announces, making me anxious.

"And?" He presses his lips before responding.

"I'm afraid Alex doesn't have much time, Júlia." The doctor laments, and my heart tightens. "Your son needs a transplant urgently."

The distress overwhelms me.

"I heard about a compatible donor on their way to this hospital." Interested, I adjust in my chair and look him straight in the eyes. "It's a very expensive surgery, Júlia, and Alex's health plan doesn't cover the costs of such a delicate procedure that will take hours."

These last words invade my ears like an echo, and I swallow my tears.

"How much does the surgery cost, doctor?"

"About fifty thousand. That will cover all necessary materials, a skilled medical team, and the stability of the post-surgical care."

I gasp in agony.

"Fifty... thousand?!" I choke. "I don't have that kind of money!" I feel desperation consume my soul.

"Maybe if you take out a loan from the bank, or..."

"A... loan?" I scoff without hope. "Sure, I... could try to do that."

After this difficult conversation, I return to the room and dedicate a few hours of my time to my son. Breakfast, funny and fun conversations, and a little time to tell him a story. Until Melissa arrived, and still in the hospital, I took a quick shower and put on the clean clothes my friend brought.

"I have to go." I whisper softly, so I don't wake him up.

"Okay. Go in peace, my friend. And focus on your work; I'll stay here with him the whole time."

Fifty thousand?!

God, where am I going to get that money? I think of the company. Surely they wouldn't give a loan to someone who's just starting out. I sigh. But I have to try. I have to try anything. I just can't give up on my only family.