Chapter 11 - THE BROTHER WHO FOUND HIS OWN LIFE
Eli turned twenty-three the following spring.
His heart condition remained part of his life.
He needed regular medical care.
But his treatment plan was working.
He had returned to school.
Studied computer engineering.
And landed an internship at a technology company.
He no longer wanted me to manage every part of his life.
That was harder than I expected.
One evening, he found me reorganizing his medication drawer.
"Tess."
I looked up.
"What?"
He smiled.
"I can do that."
I frowned.
"I'm just helping."
"I know."
He stepped closer.
"But you don't have to be my mom anymore."
My throat tightened.
He hugged me.
"You can just be my sister."
I cried.
For years, I'd built my identity around keeping him alive.
Now he was asking me to trust him to live.
That night, I told Roman what happened.
He listened.
Then smiled.
"Sounds like he's growing up."
I nodded.
"And you?"
I looked at him.
"What about me?"
Roman smiled.
"Maybe it's your turn to build a life for yourself."
May you like
I thought about that for a long time.
Then I applied to culinary school.
