“That’s it?” I asked quietly.
“That’s the important one,” Judy replied. “I brought my laptop.”
Of course she had.
Judy opened her laptop while we sat together in her car. I held the drive tightly in my hands.
“You ready?” she asked.
I wasn’t. But I nodded anyway.
The video loaded.
Then Lily appeared on the screen.
She sat on her bed looking directly into the camera.
My breath caught instantly.
“Hi Mommy…”
I covered my mouth.
“If you’re watching this, it means you stayed stuck longer than I hoped.”
A weak laugh escaped me through tears.
“I know you,” she continued gently. “You’re probably not leaving the apartment unless you have to. You’re not answering calls. So, listen… I need you to do something for me.”
I shook my head slightly, overwhelmed already.
“You don’t get to stop living just because I’m not there. So here’s the plan. You’re going to go back to my school and talk to the librarian. And you’re going to volunteer there.”
I frowned through tears and glanced toward Judy.
“There’s always a kid sitting alone in there,” Lily said softly. “Someone who feels invisible. I’ve seen them.”
Her voice softened even more.
“Go find one of them, Mom. Help them. The way you always helped me.”
Tears streamed down my cheeks.
The screen flickered briefly.
“And Mom… don’t do it for me.”
A tiny smile appeared on her face.
“Do it because you’re still here.”
Then the video ended.
We sat there silently.
“I think she just planned my next step,” I said quietly.
Judy smiled softly. “Sounds like Lily.”
I nodded slowly.
