June, 2029

Dear Asher,

I did it. I put in for a transfer at work. I will be working in a different unit soon. I’m excited at the prospect of having some newfound balance in life and maybe finding a way to love nursing again.

I wish I only had good news to share, but I don’t. My mom has been deteriorating so fast,

Ash, and I don’t know what to do. It’s breaking me, seeing her and my dad so sad. My siblings are all spiraling too, and I’m afraid I won’t be strong enough to keep everyone together anymore.

Livie is struggling too. She and Alex are really going through it right now, and I don’t know how to be there for her.

For the first time in a long time, I’m afraid, and I don’t know what to do. My smile covering how much I’m crumbling inside is coming undone. Fast.

For the first time in a long time, I feel like I can’t do it. I can’t put on a brave face, I can’t take care of everyone, and I don’t know what to do.

It feels like I can’t breathe, and for the first time in my life, I don’t know how to fix it.

Do you have any advice? Or maybe more of those jokes?

Something.

Anything.

Xo,

Hales

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