I looked up at the sky, which today was dotted with cloud. Suddenly a shadow passed over me and I felt someone pick me up. I turned my head and saw the face of my Grandad. He smiled down at me and tickled my little tummy.

"You very ticklish, aren't you Brenda?" he said, smiling.

I giggled hysterically at that.

My Grandad put me down and walked to the edge of the balcony.

"I need to tell you something Brenda," he said,

"What Grandad, what it is?" I said, totally unaware of what he was about to say.

"Well, Grandad isn't very well B, he has cancer," he said,

"But of course you're well Grandad, you're always well." I insisted,

He smiled down  at me, "I have cancer, my little princess, and sometimes," his voice cracked, "sometimes older people don't survive cancer."

"What do you mean?" I said, finally aware that something must be wrong.

"Grandad might not make it Brenda, not this time."

"But Grandad, you will make it. You have always made it, why won't you make it now?"

"When people get old, darling, they're not as good at getting better as younger people," he said, pointing a tentative finger at me and smiling,

"So, so your going to- to die?" I asked,

"I might, my princess." he said,

"No, no Grandad you can't! Noooo!"

I sat bolt upright. I could feel my body shaking. I slowly walked to the fridge to grab some milk. I steadied my breathing. It was just a flashback. That's all it was. A meaningless flashback. He's gone. There's no point in grieving about it all over again. It won't change anything.

"Sweeti?" came a voice behind me.

I turned around to see my dads worried face.

"I was just getting some water dad, I'm fine, really,"

He looked at me unconvinced, "By water do you mean milk?"

"I said milk,"

"No you didn't sweetie," he said, worried,

"Did too," I answered, "well whatever, I'm fine."

"Perhaps we'de better head to the doctors later. You might be able to get out of bed sooner!" he said, in his most convincing voice that told me I would get a milkshake if I asked for one.

I agreed only because there might be a chance of getting out of bed sooner, and I could score a milkshake. So, that afternoon, we drove to the doctors office. We walked into the same lady's office and I tried to put on a big smile. After letting her check my fever and all the other things she had to do she turned to face us in her big armchair.

"You've gotten much much better Brenda," she said, matter-of-factly.

What she didn't know was that she'd hit a nerve.

"Um.. I actually go by my middle name now. As in Bella."

"Oh ok then," she said. I could tell she was slightly surprised,"well you've gotten way better, I think in just a day or two you'll be in tip top shape." she smiled at me. I returned her smile.

"So does this mean that Amy can come over this afternoon dad? Pretty please?"

Dad looked at the doctor who looked at me. "Please dad? I won't hug her or anything yet?"

The two adults stared at me before dad, who's the softie by the way, finally said, "Why not,"

"Yay thanks dad, you're the best!"

As soon as we got home I called my best friend to come over. She smiled at me as she marched through our door. We spent the afternoon watching scary movies. It was really fun not to be bored for a while! She even got to stay for dinner, although she had to go home after that. She was constantly trying to make me laugh, for I had told her about my flashback. She even went so far as to make chocolate milk come out her nostrils. That resulted in me laughing hysterically and making milk come out my own nostrils. She was a pretty cool best friend. And I was very thankful for that.

682 words.