Beautiful story, @chinyerevivian. Your character development is exceptional. Our hearts ache for both mother and son, who are facing the tragedy of the boy’s short life with such incredible bravery.
What a relief, when he gains a life saving heart! I can see why you were in a quandary about what to do with the story. As the story lightly touches on, for the recipient to gain a major organ that will save their life, another person must have had their life cut short. Having been close to people on both sides (a relative who received a double lung transplant from an accident victim, and a friend who is the mother of a young man who lost his life too soon last summer and donated organs to waiting recipients), it is heart-wrenching from every angle. In this case, the mother’s sister is suffering unconscionable tragedy with the loss of one nephew, even as another nephew at last gains life!
This is one of the most difficult stories I've written yet. I'm reminded once again why some writers keep it light and happy, but I can't stay oblivious when I write. Perhaps I should learn that.
Thank you for coming.