Grace in shadows

The hospital room was too white. Too quiet.

Ruby hated quiet. It made her think of all the things that weren't being said.

Tamara's breathing came in shallow gasps now. The machines hummed their heartless rhythm while the morphine drip ticked like a slow metronome.

Outside the room, Jayden and Zoe sat with a nurse, coloring with broken crayons. Ruby had promised them their mommy was just resting. That lie tasted bitter in her mouth.

Tamara turned her head weakly on the pillow, eyes dull but still focused. "You're still here."

Ruby gave a soft, teary laugh. "Like I have anywhere better to be?"

"You hate hospitals," Tamara whispered, barely audible.

Ruby pulled the blanket up around her sister's shoulders. "I hate what they remind me of. I hate that people come here to die."

Tamara gave a tired smile. "You always did dramatize everything."

Ruby blinked hard, forcing the tears back. "You always did sugarcoat it."

They were quiet for a while, the silence filled by the beeping of machines and the distant sound of a baby crying in another room.

"I made so many mistakes," Tamara said suddenly. "I thought I had more time."

Ruby looked at her. "You raised two amazing kids. That's more than most people do with time."

Tamara's fingers gripped hers weakly. "I'm not worried about them… I'm worried about you."

Ruby swallowed. "Don't."

"I mean it," Tamara said, her voice cracking. "You've always fought for me. For them. But who's going to fight for you when I'm gone?"

"Don't say that—"

"Promise me something."

Ruby shook her head, tears slipping down her cheeks. "Tami—"

"Promise me... you'll let someone love you. That you'll let yourself be seen. Even if you don't think you deserve it."

Ruby broke then. Her sobs came silent at first, but then loud, desperate. "I don't know how to be what they need. I don't even know who I am without you."

Tamara smiled faintly. "You're a warrior. You're the softest tough girl I know. You'll figure it out."

She reached for the nightstand with shaking fingers and pulled out a folded piece of paper.

Ruby hesitated, then opened it.

It was a flyer. Old, crumpled, but still legible.

> Living Waters Church – Healing & Restoration Night Pastor John Emmanuel speaking on grace for the lost.

"I kept it," Tamara whispered. "That night I went alone… I sat in the back and cried. He spoke like he knew me."

Ruby stared at it.

"I wanted to go again. But I got sick. Maybe… maybe now's your turn."

Ruby folded it slowly, tucking it into her purse. She didn't know why. She didn't believe in miracles. Not anymore.

But her sister did.

Tamara closed her eyes. Her breathing slowed.

Ruby leaned forward, whispering against her forehead. "I promise."

---

🕊 A Few Hours Later...

The nurse came in and turned off the machines.

And just like that, Ruby wasn't a sister anymore.

She was a mother. A provider. A protector.

With no guide. No map. And no faith in anything but her fists and her beauty.

She gathered the kids that night and didn't sleep.

The dreams started three nights later.