2

Elizabeth was in a state of shock as she left the hospital after being diagnosed with a kidney problem. The doctor had told her and her dad that she needed a donor kidney, but she would have to wait for a year for the right match. Elizabeth was devastated when she heard the news. She was only 18 and had already gone through one transplant, and now she had to go through it again. The thought of waiting for a year for a new kidney was unbearable. She was extremely depressed and felt like giving up.

Her dad was by her side, holding her and petting her head, trying to comfort her. Her dad always knew what to say or do to make her feel better, but this time it was different. Elizabeth was inconsolable.

Even the thought of going back to school and pretending like everything was okay made her feel exhausted. She cried in her dad's arms, and her dad hugged her tightly, not saying anything. After a while, her dad started to speak softly.

"Elizabeth, my love, try not to worry too much. Everything will work out in the end, you'll see."

"How can you say that? What if the donor kidney never arrives, and I am left with nothing? I won't be able to live like this forever. I don't want to die," Elizabeth lamented.

"No one wants to lose someone they love, my dear, but being stuck in this state of mind will not help either. You are strong, Elizabeth. I have seen the way you have fought from the moment you were diagnosed. You fought hard, and you made it through the first time. You will make it through again. We will be here with you, and we will help you every step of the way."

Elizabeth sniffed and lifted her head, looking into her grandma's eyes. "Do you really think so, grandma?"

"Of course, my love. You are our fighter, our warrior, our brave Elizabeth. We will get through this together."

Elizabeth rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand and tried to smile. "Thank you, dad. You always know how to make me feel better."

Her dad smiled and hugged her again. "That's what dads are for. Now, let's go home and have some soup. It always makes you feel better."

Elizabeth smiled weakly and let her dad lead her away from the hospital. They walked slowly to the car, holding hands, ready to face this new challenge together.