Their Forgotten Faces

By the time Mom had gotten pregnant with me, Dad and his company had already made a foothold in Oceanton, so money was no longer a problem. Mom had been careful from the very beginning of her pregnancy this time, and everything she ate and used was the best.That was why I had always been healthy, from the day I was born all the way through childhood. I was lively and cheerful too, always laughing and running around.But when Mom was pregnant with Zack, she had worked too hard. He had been born weak, with one health problem after another.He had always found me annoying. He hated the fact that I was always smiling and never got sick. Even when I caught a cold, a couple of pills were enough to make it go away. What he hated even more was that when he felt miserable, I could still bounce around and pester Dad and Mom.That annoyance built up day after day until it slowly turned into disgust.Back then, I did not understand.I had never imagined that being healthy could become a sin

It had been a long time since I had eaten food Mom prepared. Even though I could not eat much in my condition, I still could not stop myself from eating two extra bowls of stew.After dinner, Dad said he had to go out for a while. Mom cleaned up in the kitchen, and my brother and I sat on the couch watching TV. It felt just like old times, as if we had never been apart."I didn't think you'd ever get sick." Zack suddenly let out a mocking laugh. "When did you get the stomach flu? Does medicine even do anything?"My face turned dark. "My brother wouldn't start a conversation with me."His expression stiffened. He pouted and awkwardly looked away. "It's not like I wanted to talk to you first."I kept my eyes on the screen and ignored him.After a while, he asked again, "Then, did you take any medicine?"I frowned. I was just about to tell him to shut up when Dad's voice came from the doorway. "Rena, come here and see which medicine works."My brother and I turned around at the sa

After making the transfer, I started packing too.I had just pulled out my suitcase when Dr. Smith called. "Rena, how have you been feeling lately? Our hospital just got a new medication. It might help, but you'll need to be admitted into the hospital. Do you want to give it a go?""It's fine, but thanks, Dr. Smith," I said with a calm voice. "No matter how many treatments I get, it will all end the same way anyway."Dr. Smith was becoming anxious. "Come, now. An extra day is an extra day. If your parents saw you like this, they'd be worried too.""They wouldn't." I smiled bitterly. "They wouldn't care whether I lived or died. All they worry about is Zack.""Then, you're really not...""I'm not going, Dr. Smith. I've already booked a ticket to Suthurn. It's my last month to live, so I want to travel a little.""Alright. If anything happens, remember to contact me." Dr. Smith did not try to persuade me again as he just sighed and hung up.I opened the suitcase and started packin

My parents and Zack refused to leave, but they did not force me to go back either. Instead, they shadowed me everywhere.On my third day in Suthurn, I started craving for something spicy.I looked up a few restaurants online, found one with great reviews, and ordered a table full of spicy dishes. While I ate, the three of them stood outside the restaurant, not brave enough to come in.However, they rushed inside when I threw up in the end. "Rena, are you alright?!"Mom wrapped her arms around me while Dad grabbed a trash can, and Zack handed me paper towels and water.Regardless, I knew my own body better than anyone. Throwing up had become almost normal by now. Even if I were to die, it would not be today.So, I pushed them away, paid the bill myself, and then walked out alone.The moment I stepped outside, Zack dropped to his knees with a thud.His voice cracked, and he almost sobbed as he said, "I'm sorry, Rena. This is all my fault. I was being too petty, and you ended up h