Gravel crunched outside the garage door. Rosa looked up to find the young girl from the funeral standing in the doorway, bicycle beside her.
The child explained she had thought Rosa might come to this location. When Harold gave her the envelope, he had emphasized this was the most important task she would ever perform.
Rosa studied the girl more carefully now, noting her features and the intelligence in her eyes. She asked for the child’s name and learned it was Gini, short for Virginia.
The name hit Rosa like a physical blow. This child shared a name with the woman whose letters filled the chest. The connection seemed obvious, yet raised even more questions.
A Desperate Situation
Rosa asked if Gini could take her to meet Virginia. The girl hesitated before explaining that her mother was currently hospitalized, facing necessary heart surgery the family couldn’t afford.
They traveled to the medical facility together. Virginia lay pale and weak in a hospital bed, medical equipment monitoring her vital signs. She looked much younger than Rosa had expected.
Gini mentioned quietly that Harold used to visit them sometimes, bringing support and checking on their wellbeing. His involvement in their lives had clearly been ongoing and personal.
A doctor explained to Rosa that Virginia’s surgery was both urgent and expensive. Without intervention soon, the prognosis was poor. The family lacked the financial resources to proceed.
