“Cancer schamancer,” David grinned.
“Oh, stop being so cavalier about it,” said Becky fiercely, tears streaming down her face.
David put his arm around his younger sister.
“Becks, I promise I’ll fight this..but you must promise not to worry about me.”
Becky swallowed and tried to smile.
Five months and a bald head later, David took in the view as Becky put the final touches with her paint brush.
“Golden Gate Bridge, check!” she called.
During the treatment the doctor had been wary. Would David survive? Yes, but it was only a matter of time. The cancer would return.
The road trip had been Becky’s idea and she also suggested that they preserve it in this creative manner, where she used her artistic skills to paint every special landmark on Dad’s old car.
David realized that the only thing more painful than an early death was knowing how utterly devastated his sister would be without him.
Whispering a fervent prayer he implored, ” Please God, take care of my baby sis when I’m gone.”
For Flash Fiction for Aspiring Writers
Famous landmarks were painted by the Phool Patti team during the classic car show in Germany. There is San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge, Islamabad’s Faisal Mosque, the Kuwait Towers, Tehran’s Milad Tower, Germany’s Brandenburg Gate, Egypt’s Giza Pyramids and Delhi’s India Gate.
Source: (facebook.com/phoolpatti1/posts/454750121398185)
What a touching story. I enjoyed reading it and the interesting background behind the picture.
Thank you so much! Really glad you enjoyed reading it! 🙂
My pleasure.
Such a sad heart touching story! That is sweet that he is praying for his sister when he is the one dying with cancer! Wonderful story! I enjoyed learning about the car in the photo. Thank you so much for loaning it to us for our prompt this week.
His brotherly love is indeed very strong! 🙂 Thank you so much! Glad you liked the story and prompt! 🙂
Hot tears sprang to my eyes–you got to me.
Aww, glad I managed to pass on the emotion! ☺
🙂
Very bittersweet. It’s so lovely they have all these memories together, David’s sister painted on his car. But they also seem close, and i have no doubt it will hurt her greatly when her brother passes on sooner, rather than later. Great job at portraying such emotion in your piece. David’s last line got me, his prayer for his little sister. Almost made me cry 😦
Bittersweet was what I was going for! ☺ They do have a strong bond and it’s really agonizing for him to think of not being there for his sister. Hopefully praying helped him feel more at peace. Thanks for your comment! 😊
Beautiful story. My brother and I are very close and I feel the strength of their bond in the story. Even in his pain he comforted her.
How wonderful that you have such a strong bond with your brother! Such siblings are always there for one another, through good times and bad. Thank you for your comment! ☺
Sad and uplifting story all in one.
Ellespeth
btw “Cancer schamancer,” i really liked as it’s a word sorta thing I do with my siblings.
ellespeth
Thank you for reading! 😊
Touching and very poignant x
Thank you so much for reading! 😊
Such a sad story. The relationship between the siblings is beautiful and heartbreaking. Nicely done. 🙂 Thanks for the extra information about the car.
Yes, it is bittersweet. Thank you, glad you liked it and the info on the car!😊
This brought a lump to my throat and tears to my eyes. What a beautiful story of sibling love.
Aww… thank you so much! Really glad you liked it! 😊
That is indeed a beautiful and creative way to preserve the old car. I’d like to think he beat the cancer 🙂
Hope! Yes! I’d like to think so too! 🙂
i’ve come back to read this again…sometimes once is not enough. it so much touches upon my life right now. shoring each other up…i really like the way David calls Becky Becks. It’s so personal and meaningful to your story.
ellespeth
Gosh, thank you so much! It really means a lot! I’m thrilled that the story struck a chord with you, especially how David calls his sister Becks. Thanks once again for stopping by! ☺
How so bittersweet.
Thanks for reading! 🙂