Her Daughter's Last Gift

[Filming Log: 2024-06-02]

"Miss Stein, are you working all these jobs to help pay for your dad's treatment?"

I bit into my popsicle, annoyed. "So you've been snooping around behind my back?"

Elayne didn't flinch.

"We're telling your story. We had to understand your background. But... you're really not gonna tell your parents you're sick?"

I shook my head. "No."

"Why not?" She looked totally lost.

I pulled out my phone, held it up.

4:00–7:30 — Breakfast shop

8:00–5:00 — Sales job

5:30–8:00 — Tutoring center

8:20–9:30 — Private tutoring

10:00–2:00 — Late-night food stall

My throat tightened.

"This is my mom's schedule. Five jobs a day to pay for my dad's treatment. If she knew I was sick too... what then?"

Elayne's eyes got glassy.

I sniffled.

"She sleeps two hours a day. That's it. Take those away, and she's gone."

Tears slipped down.

I continued, "She was supposed to be a doctor. Saving lives. But she gave it all up for us. My dad got diagnosed my senior year. He didn't wanna drag us down, so he tried to drown himself. We begged him not to. He listened."

Elayne handed me a tissue. "Miss Stein..."

I wiped my face. "What do you think he'd do if he found out about me? One cancer patient's enough for this family."

She tried to hug me. I shook my head.

"The day I found out I was a match... was the same day another hospital told me I had leukemia. I panicked. Ran. I didn't want him to know. He thought I didn't want to save him—but he didn't get mad. He just begged me to stay. Said he didn't care, as long as I was happy."

I swallowed hard.

"I was fine before that checkup. Why that day? Just a little more time... and I could've saved him."

I covered my face and sobbed.

[Filming Log: 2024-06-10]

I was flying down the street on my e-bike, dodging cars, deliveries stacked on the back. The camera tried to keep up.

After the last drop-off, I turned to it, out of breath. "Told you—I don't have time for this."

"Miss Stein, wait."

Elayne stepped in front of me, holding up her phone.

"Listen—we reached out to a charity. They raised enough to cover your dad's treatment. Please. We mean it. We WANT to help you. So don't give up on yourself. Come with us to the hospital, okay?"

Silence.

My eyes stung. Tears slipped down.

"Alright. I'll do it. You can film. Just... consider it my thank-you for saving my dad."

[Filming Log: 2024-06-11]

I stared at the bold letters on the contract: [Body Donation].

Then glanced at the camera.

"Where are these videos going? My parents can't see them. They can never know."

Elayne stepped in.

"You're not gonna die, Charlotte. These are for internal use only. Promise—they won't find out."

I smiled at the lens for the first time.

"Thanks, Elayne."

[Filming Log: 2024-07-01]

My face was gaunt, cheeks sunken. The hospital gown hung off me like a sheet.

I struggled to sit up. "Can I stop chemo?"

Elayne held my hand, shook her head.

"I know it's rough. But you have to believe—you can beat this. Just hang in there."

The fevers, the puking—it all pushed me to the edge.

That night, I snapped. Threw my food on the floor, screamed for everyone to leave.

Later, I curled under the blankets, sobbing. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean it."

Elayne wrapped me up, blanket and all.

"It's okay."

My voice shook.

"I didn't know chemo hurt this bad. Dad went through all this for us... Elayne, I miss them so much... I miss my mom and dad..."