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PART 4 — The Voice Lily Was Afraid To Use
Part Note:
This part focuses on Lily’s perspective and reveals the warning signs that had been ignored.
The next morning, Emily sat beside Lily’s hospital bed.
“Sweetheart,” she whispered, “can you tell me what happened?”
Lily stared at the blanket.
For a long time, she said nothing.
Then she whispered:
“Grandma said I was making everyone tired.”
Emily froze.
“What else did she say?”
Lily played with the edge of the blanket.
“She said if I cried, people would leave.”
Emily covered her mouth.
“And yesterday?”
Lily’s eyes filled with tears.
“She said the water would make the bad medicine go away.”
Emily looked horrified.
“She told you that?”
Lily nodded.
“She said I had to be brave.”
Maria, standing near the door, looked away.
Children often carried pain silently.
Not because they were not hurt.
Because they thought adults were supposed to be right.
Emily held Lily’s hand.
“You never have to be brave for something that hurts you.”
Lily finally cried.
Not the frightened crying from before.
A different kind.
The kind that came when someone finally believed you.
