— But why didn't you tell me earlier, — Adeline could no longer hold back her tears.
— Sweetheart, I didn't want to ruin your Christmas, I'm sorry... — Laura sat across from her, trying in vain to comfort her. Adeline was breathing heavily, blinking rapidly to stop the tears, if only for a second.
— Why didn't they say anything to me? — the girl's heart was breaking into pieces, and her chest was filled with emptiness and a sense of hopelessness.
— They didn't want to disturb you in your final year of study, — the woman leaned towards Adeline and began to stroke her back. Adeline was like a second daughter to her, and it pained her to witness the torment with which Adeline received every word. — I know you don’t like pity, but I really am very sorry. Really, really sorry...
— How...how long? — the girl simply didn't have the strength to ask anything else, even though her head was boiling with various questions.
— About three months, but I don't know exactly, — in truth, no one could name the exact timeframe.
— Three months... My mother was sick for three months while I was thinking about shows and going on vacation. That's why Mark said Dad isn’t saying anything about Mom. They didn’t want to tell anyone, — and Adeline once again buried her teary face in her hands, unable to bear the weight of the information falling on her shoulders, which tortured her more with each passing moment. — And the doctors?
— There is a threat, but not a big one, — Laura replied softly, but upon hearing these words, Adeline burst into even more tears.
Adeline stood before the large glass of the airport. Behind her lay the places of recent happiness, and ahead — the path home, to the US, to the place where she was born and where she usually found peace. Gazing at the endless blue skies, Adeline felt the weight of the years lived, an inexpressible nausea, and exhaustion from excessive consumption of tranquilizers. But what tormented her the most were the memories. It seemed as if she had no right to be so cheerful, to be so happy.
With her passport in hand, the girl passed through the control without any particular problems, where the fluorescent lights illuminated the floor and caused a slight dizziness in her head. The sounds of an unfamiliar language, incomprehensible conversations, and hurried footsteps felt so distant to her now. It was as if they didn’t exist at all. Adeline carried her sorrow with her, fearing that if she suddenly forgot about it, even for a second — the world would become as it was before. Without any particular worries or troubles. With bright colors and experienced emotions. With some feelings besides complete emptiness.
But the weight of this sorrow became lighter with every step towards the exit.
Onboard the plane, the girl found her place and placed her bag on the seat beside her. Her heart raced faster when she heard the general announcement about boarding. Adeline fastened her seatbelt, holding her breath. A slight jolt. The plane began to move. The girl allowed herself to close her eyes and felt it pulling away from the ground, ascending, breaking free.
People saw grief in her, but did not turn back. She was beautiful, yet they did not dare to approach her. She looked no more than twenty-five, but appeared as if she had already lost an entire world. Her eyes had a strange azure tint, probably because she was on the verge of hysteria, even though she behaved calmly. The girl looked tired and indifferent, but what surprised most was the affection with which she clutched a small polaroid photograph in her hand.