Once upon a time, in a kingdom far, far away… No, scratch that. This is just your average, everyday story. So sit back and pay attention if you will.

Abigail wasn’t a deprived child. Yes, her dad had died when she was really young, but she could hardly even remember him. She never felt like she missed out on anything. Her mom and older brother were all she needed. She looked up to Jason like a dad, a role model, and he never minded. He loved that his little sister looked up to him and confided in him when he was only 15. A MERE CHILD. And her mom was always so supportive of everything Abby did.

A couple of years ago, Abigail’s life changed immensely. Her mom had met someone, against all odds. His name was Tyler; Abigail liked him. He was nice and treated her and her brother like his own kids. Tyler had two sons of his own: Chad, who was 15 and Jesse who was 13. Tyler had lost his wife two years prior to meeting her mom. Chad and Jesse were still getting over their mother’s death.

Two months later, her mom and Tyler were married. It was a nice two years. Abby came to love her new, extended family, with all of her heart! And that’s when everything went wrong.

“Abigail, come on! We need to get to the hospital,” called Jason up the stairs.

“I can just drive myself. I’m 16 now; I have my license,” called down Abigail, trying not to cry.

“Okay. Well, hurry up. And bring Jesse with you. Chad is going to ride with me and dads still at work.”

Abigail didn’t answer because just then, the tears she’d been holding back leaked out. Abigail had known her mom wasn’t feeling well, but she hadn’t said anything. She’d had a feeling that something bad was going to happen. And now look what’s happened; her mom was in the hospital.

Abigail walked to Jesse’s room.

“Jesse, come on. I’m taking off. Are you ready?”

“Yeah, I’m coming…Abby, do you think mom is going to be okay?” asked Jesse with tears in his eyes.