The next evening, after they returned home from their jobs, Lydia and John listened to Pattie's new album. Afterwards, Lydia talked with Pattie. Pattie asked, "Have you listened to my new album yet?" Lydia said, "Yes, we just finished listening to it." Pattie asked, "How did you like it?" Lydia said, "It was really good. I think Foxy enjoyed it, too." Pattie said, "I'm glad to hear it." Just then, Lydia's cellphone rang. It was her father. She said, "I'll let you talk to John a minute. My father is calling." She went into her bedroom to talk privately. Her father explained, "Your grandmother is in the hospital, and it's not looking good. She has pneumonia in both lungs." Lydia said, "Oh, no. This is the beginning of the end, isn't it?" He said, "Yep, I'm afraid so." She said, "Elderly people usually don't survive pneumonia." He said, "They don't." She said, "Well, I'm going to go. Keep me posted." He said, "Okay." She returned to the living room, and John was still talking to Pattie. John noticed Lydia looking sad. He asked, "Is everything all right?" She said, "No." Pattie asked, "What's wrong?" Lydia said, "My paternal grandmother is in the hospital. She has pneumonia in both lungs." Pattie said, "Oh, no. I'm sorry to hear that." Lydia said, "I don't think it'll be much longer." She later told the rest of her friends about it. Rebecca asked, "Is there anything I can do?" Lydia said, "Just keep talking to me, and I'll be just fine." Marie said, "Don't worry, Lydia. We're here for you." Catherine said, "Plan on us coming to see you." Gavin said, "Yes, please do." Lydia said, "You all don't have to do that." Gavin said, "We're your friends. It's our duty to be there for you." She said, "You're all so kind. I appreciate it." That night, Lydia snuggled with her beloved puppy, Foxy, and cried herself to sleep.

TO BE CONTINUED