Happy Easter everyone and what's a better Easter gift to you all than an out of schedule special update of your favourite Novel? ENJOY...

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"Phoebe. I didn't get an IV stand or anything. Can you take your food by a big syringe?"

I stopped in my tracks and looked at Jamie's mother who was standing at the kitchen door.

"Yeah it's okay, but how? I mean..."

"You mean how do I know? It's simple silly girl. I looked it up on the internet but I didn't get adult formula feed so I got a can of Pediasure. Hope that will do. I'm sorry."

I resisted the urge to go and pull her into a hug.

'What? You didn't honestly think that I'd keep you hungry for dinner and breakfast tomorrow. You have been through a lot. Your body needs the carbs.'
She beckoned to me.

I grinned, going after her into the kitchen.

She was clumsy with the mixing and measurements. Everything was fixed as I helped her. She watched me like a hawk as the feed disappeared down the tube.
When it was done, I came down to join the family at the dinner table.

Mr Stanton, Jamie's father was a jovial man with a big round belly and a mouth full of funny comments. I was enjoying every bit of it when suddenly he asked me, "So what are you doing for treatment?"

"Umm, nothing. It's incurable. The medications, precautions and daily dressings are the things that help prolong my life for a bit."

That was honest.

"I wish she was here too," Jamie mumbled, his eyes moist.

"Who?" I enquired automatically.

"It's okay, nothing you need to worry about dear," Mrs Stanton said.

"Jamie, you'd upset Phoebe. Don't say such things." her husband added.

"No, it's okay," I protested. "I don't mind."
I put a comforting arm around Jamie.

"It's my elder sister. She was suffering from epidermolysis bullosa too."

I stared in horror at the two parents sitting across the table. They wore mirroring neutral expressions.

"I'm so sorry. I can't even pretend to know what it feels like. I know it's the reality in my life someday. Just that I don't know what effect it will have on my parents."

My heart wrenched. It was as if I was seeing my future unfold before my eyes. They had lost a child to EB? Now I realise why Jamie's mother had been so caring. She was finding her daughter in me.

I controlled myself before tears spilt. I was the one who had encouraged Jamie to say.

"It's over Jamie. She's dead. It's plain and simple. It's over. How many times do I need to remind you that?"

I could feel the quiver of pain camouflaged by the anger in her voice.

"It's never over. A human being can never be over, mom. She may not mean anything to you. But she means a lot to me," he screamed.

"We're done talking about this. You're upsetting Phoebe now."
That was Mr Stanton.

Jamie got up abruptly and ran to the stairs. His food was left half-eaten. I tried to go after him when his mother caught my hand.

"Let him go. He needs to understand."

Her voice was gentle. I nodded.

Jamie definitely needed a private time away from the interference of a stranger.

"Come on. You can occupy the guest room," she held my shoulders gently, guiding me to my room.

And as the door closed on me, all the fears came rushing back, smothering me.

I lay back on the bed wondering if this would be my parents' behaviour when I was gone. Why did fate have to be so cruel to snatch away that girl at a young age?

Jamie's pain had cut deep into my heart.

"A human being can never be over." His words were ringing in my mind.

I realized the gravity of those words. A twelve-year-old never speaks like that. But Jamie does. It was the sign of maturity, which circumstances had pushed him into.

I tossed and turned in bed.
Death never seemed to be so villainous before. I had prayed for death once. But now I knew. I would try my best, try everything at hand to keep death away. I would do all in my power so that my loved ones never suffer the same pain.

In all the faces, one face particularly stood out. Daniel seemed to be smiling at me, ready with his usual witty remarks.

"So then finally Miss Pessimist is turning to Miss Optimist, Huh?"

I smiled to myself.

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A/N Phoebe's thinking of death here... Do you guys agree with her thoughts?