, For the next few days, I bunked with Susie., Ernest, the kind of guy who could wrap his arms around me and still maintain his composure, I knew he could handle it., But how would he cope when we got back?, After all, once Susie left, she'd be living with us., We spent four days at Susie's place, a turn of events I hadn't seen coming. I thought Ernest, anxious for Susie's well-being, would be eager to get her into surgery as soon as possible., But he didn't rush. Instead, he took Susie and me fishing during the day and cooked us gourmet dinners at night., Susie and I lived like royalty, basking in a blissful paradise. A few more days of this, and I would never want to leave.,

"Ernest, when we get old, let's retire here. I feel like I could live to be 150 in this place,

" I mused., Ernest chuckled,

"Sounds good.

",

"Me too, I want to live to 150,

" Susie chimed in, now full of hope for her new life., Fanny Willis had everything arranged for Susie's hospital admission upon our return, but Susie wanted to see our house first. Ernest was about to tell her it was a rental, but I stopped him. I didn't want Susie to think her brother was struggling because of her.,

"This house was left to me by my parents. It's a bit old but cozy,

" I spun a tale., Susie turned to Ernest, asking,

"Bro, you've been living with Licia all this time? So, you guys have been cohabiting?

", The little rascal was teasing her brother., Seeing Ernest at a loss for words and looking my way, I couldn't help but smirk internally.,

"Licia, I really like this house. Can I stay here for a while after I get discharged?

" Susie wasn't one for pretense; she treated me like family.,

"You can stay as long as you like,

" I blurted out, then remembered the looming demolition.,

"But I won't be staying tonight,

" Susie suddenly added, catching Ernest and me off guard.

"Where will you go?

" Ernest asked., A blush crept onto Susie's cheeks,

"Bro, I've never been to a big city before.

", Ernest and got her meaning right away. Then, Susie clung to my arm.

"Licia, i it's not that I don't like it here. I t want to see what the big cities in the TV shows are like.

", just, , That's when I realized the idyllic life I envied Susie for was actually her prison. Ernest, in his protection, had also confined her., Susie's longing for the bustling city reminded me of the saying,

"Those inside the city want out, and those outside want in.

", Ernest and I exchanged glances, and he playfully knocked on her head,

"So it's my fault for not bringing you out?

"

"Yes, you never agreed whenever I asked,

" Susie protested., I laughed,

"It's because your brother met me too late. If he had met me sooner, you'd have come here earlier.

", Ernest and I took Susie to the city, showing her around various spots. We worried about her health, but the allure of the city was too strong, leaving her invigorated., Under the neon lights at night, as Susie enjoyed her ice cream, her radiant smile was laced with tears.,

"Licia, if I can live like this for just one day, I'll be content,

" Susie said, choking me up., In that moment, I understood that it wasn't the glittering lifestyle she yearned for, but the experience of having lived it at all., And she was also coming to terms with her uncertain future., Search the website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.