“…”
“…”
I looked at Fina and her sister.
“Fina, go buy something yummy with your sister. Make sure you have your mom eat something that’ll nourish her.”
I pulled money out of my bear storage and handed it over to Fina.
“But…”
“It’s fine. Your mom’s fine, so go along.”
“Okay, I got it. Shuri, let’s go.”
I watched them leave the house holding each other’s hands and once again looked to Gentz and their mother.
“What are you going to make us do?”
“I want you two to live together for Fina and her sister’s sakes.”
“…huh?”
“…what?”
Their mouths hung open and stuck there.
“I know that you like Fina’s mom, Gentz.” I’d heard it direct from Fina.
“Y-you…”
“Nuh-uh. Even Fina already knows. And you trust Gentz enough to leave your children with him, so it’s not like you don’t like him.”
“Well, that’s…” Her face reddened slightly.
“And it’s not like you’d be upsetting those kids. Besides, Gentz works at the guild, so he’s got a steady income. I’m kind of worried about you three women living on your own. I’d feel more at peace if Gentz was with you, you know?”
“But…”
“You like Fina’s mom, don’t you, Gentz?”
“That’s…” Gentz gulped. Then, he looked at Fina’s mother. “Tiermina, w-would you do the honor of marrying me? I’ve loved you for a long time. It’s an insult to Roy, but I love you!”
“Gentz…thank you.”
The two of them deserved some privacy. I left the room quietly—or at least, tried to, before Gentz called out to me.
“Where are you going?”
“Home. The rest of this is a family issue.”
“I see. So, um thanks,” he thanked me sheepishly.
“Make sure you do a proper job of looking after Fina and everyone.”
“Yeah, just leave it up to me.”
“If she’s not feeling well again, just call me.”
I left Fina’s house behind and went home.
Chapter 32:
Fina Asks the Bear for Something
WHEN I WOKE UP in the morning, Mom was in pain. She’s usually in pain, but this was different. She wasn’t conscious. No matter how many times I called her name, she didn’t answer. I tried over and over to get her to take her medicine, but even after she finally got it down, nothing changed. There was a ton of sweat running down her forehead.
My little sister Shuri was so worried. She stuck by the bed, calling Mom, Mom. I couldn’t let things stay like this.
“Shuri, take care of Mom.”
“Sis?” She gave me a worried look.
“I’m going to Mr. Gentz. It’ll be okay. Mr. Gentz will be able to do something.”
I gently patted her head and ran to Mr. Gentz’s house. He wouldn’t be at work yet. It was a good thing there weren’t many people out on the street yet. When I made it there, I banged on the door really hard.
“Mr. Gentz! Mr. Gentz!”
Mr. Gentz came out when I knocked. “What’s wrong? Why are you here so early in the morning?”
“It’s Mom.”
“What happened to Tiermina?!”
“She’s hurting. Worse than before.” I couldn’t stop crying anymore. “She isn’t getting better.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Mr. Gentz started running. I ran as fast as I could, too. By the time I got to my house, I couldn’t see Mr. Gentz anymore, since he was running ahead of me. Inside, I saw Mr. Gentz calling out to Mom. She didn’t respond.
Mr. Gentz turned to me and Shuri. “I’m going to find medicine. You watch over your mom.”
Shuri and I held mom’s hands. I thought, Please, save my mom. I’d do anything I can. Please don’t take her away from us. Please…
“Mom…”
“Fina, Shuri…”
“Mom!”
Mom was awake again. My prayers had reached someone.
“Fina, Shuri, I’m sorry.”
Why was she apologizing? She hadn’t done anything wrong. Her eyes were filled with tears.
“Mom…”
“This might be it for me. If I die, look to Gentz. I’m sure he’ll help you.”
It seemed like it hurt her to talk. She was going to die? I didn’t want to think about it.
“I’m sorry, you two. I’m so sorry that you had a mom like this.”
She held our hands with her weak grip. I wondered how long it had been since Mr. Gentz left.
He wasn’t back. It might have just been a few minutes, but it felt like hours had gone by already. Please hurry home, I wished again.
“Ugh.”
The pain must have been getting stronger. Someone, help. Shuri’s little hand squeezed mine hard. I couldn’t give up.
“Shuri.” I looked into Shuri’s eyes. She looked uneasy. “Keep holding Mom’s hand.”
I took the hand she was holding mine with and moved it to Mom’s.
“Sis?”
“Maybe Yuna can do something.”
I left Shuri to take care of her and ran over to Yuna’s house. I wasn’t allowed to be tired yet. I could see the bear house. I opened the door without knocking.
“Yuna!”
Yuna was there. “What’s wrong?”
“Y-Yuna, m-my mom…”
I couldn’t do it. My voice wouldn’t come out.
“Calm down.”
“My mom is really sick…and even giving her medicine…doesn’t help…I tried going to Mr. Gentz, but…he said he’d go out to find medicine and hasn’t come back…wh-what should I do?”
When I saw Yuna’s face, I couldn’t stop crying. I came all the way here, but Yuna wasn’t any kind of doctor. Still, I thought, because this was Yuna, she might be able to do something.
Yuna gently put her hand on my head. “Okay, I got it. Could you take me to your house?” she said with a kind smile.
And I did.
When we got there, Mr. Gentz had returned. Maybe he had gotten the medicine? “Mr. Gentz?!”
“I’m sorry I was so late.”
“Did you find medicine for my mom?”
“Sorry.” Mr. Gentz lowered his head. If it was a medicine that was easy to get, then Mr. Gentz probably would have had it already. He’d already done so much. I couldn’t be mad at him.
I let myself get closer to the bed. Mom looked like she was in so much pain that I almost couldn’t look at her.
“Gentz, if anything…happens to me…please…take care of my daughters.”
“Wh-what are you saying? What’s supposed to happen to you?!” Mr. Gentz yelled.
“Gentz…I’ve troubled you…so much. Thank you so much
