The Sugar Baby Decided to Quit

s. The appearance was pretty much of a child, of course. It was the eyes that looked back w

blastoma Grade II. It is aggressive cancer th

to experience

e boy feel worse. Pity would only intensify the feeling that you a

y the boy. As I wou

y to him. Yes, we are sick, but it do

ok to his eyes, raw and honest. “Hello, Mateo,” I greeted the boy f

at her hair was not combed as strands of hair kept poking out. Her tan face was greasy an

in warmth. She appeared h

e expe

experiment. My eyes flicked to the boy. I swore I sa

urden, i

ey are so scared to lose us that they push us to do all these tiring and painful experiences. Sometimes, it can fee

o think that he was too young to shoulder

hildren and only talk to the adults. But I would not do that to Mateo. I wanted him to kn

s soon as his dark eyes met min

re she understood what I was saying. No matter. Because by then, I already have Mat

on me to get a cure for

ed his name. “Mateo, apologize,” she said with panic, “You have no i

e. He only stared

I said, “Much better t

which I smiled and said it was okay. “I understand. If

e leukemia, A different form of cancer than yours. This exp

one eyebrow

s brazen tone. “I’m sorry, Arianna. He’s not

Russo. My opponent is Ma

we hope would alter the genetic makeup of your cancer cells. If we can restart the apoptotic

hat language are

h

would like to see if the drug we have chosen can stop your cancer from spreading. Whatever the results, would make us und

my explanation. I could s

an pitying yourself thinking everything is lost.” My voice was firm and I held M

ce. I could see it. I knew it was t

yourself. You can stop anytime and you don’t have to give

ture, a sign he felt vulnerable. I knew the kid wanted to grab on the hope. Who would not wan

least I could do is be transparent and real. I would

figures in the cancer study field. I have read his previous studies. Before this clinical trial, his team had complete

began t

ill it

ffects like nausea, dizziness, fatigue, r

I experience tho

kno

them t

kno

d himself tighter. The boy was

s trance. “It’s okay to hope. I

to never sugar c

t

odd

ike to prepare myself if…” Mateo could not finish his sentence. He stood cl

ded a

ka

wanted to

I co

“I will have to explain to both of you the procedure, the full risks,

y before getting the informed consent. Mateo ended up sticking with his decision until the end. And I was

ed consent to. None of them held my impression as Mateo did. I coul

nd on my way home. My new apartment was pretty near the campus. New. The

w is good. It wa

g. The darkness of the room greeted me. It was when I was about to flick o

ow. I tried to ignore it. But the thud did not stop and it was getting louder. So after witchi

s. Call me paranoid but I didn’t want anyb

d of bird was annoying the hell out of me. As soon as

three birds

ong legs and arms. They cert

men hovering be

ht @ Ka