The doctor leads them to the elevator as they wait for the platform.

  “We’ll keep you updated on any developments, Mr. Mercado. You can come visit your father when you have the opportunity.”

  “Thank you, doc. Just keep me in touch,” Mark replies.

  They ride the elevator and get out of the hospital.

  Mark halts for a moment and looks back at the establishment. He faces it with a deep sigh.

  ‘Get well... soon, dad,’ Mark thinks.

  Then an arm on his shoulders catches his attention. Mark looks to see who is it and sees…

  “Sam,” Mark says.

  Sam smiles and says, “Everything will be fine, Mark. God will do what’s right. Just don’t worry.”

  Mark smiles back, “Thank you, Sam.”

  “Oooh. Lovebirds. Hahaha,” says Al.

  “Da?aad,” says Sam as she retracts her arms from Mark’s shoulders.

  “Oh, sorry. I forgot you got a boy friend who you really care about. Haha.”

  “Hmm. Yeah, I guess I do.”

  ‘Do I really care about Cesar or do I just pity him?’ Sam thinks. ‘Do I really love him?’

  Sam gazes at Mark thinking, ‘Cesar, I pity. Mark… I’m starting to fall.’

  They get into the car and start to ride back home. It’s now dawn and Mark could only think about his dad. The only thing Sam can do is to show him that she cares.

  “What color do you like, Mark?” Sam asks.

  “Huh? What?” Mark stutters. “Um, of course the sky is still… black, I guess. It’s still dawn, I suppose.”

  “Not the sky, silly. I’m talking about what color do you like.”

  “Ohhh. Hehe. I kinda like sky blue.”

  “Why’s that?”

  Mark slides back into his seat and stares at the car ceiling.

  “I guess… I kinda think that that’s the closest to what heaven is like.” Mark pauses. “It kinda gives me the courage to move forward whatever happens in my life. It keeps me motivated that… as long as there is heaven, I will see Ma no matter what. And that she’s waiting for me over there beyond the blue sky.”

  If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Sam has no words and thinks, ‘Wow, he really cares about his mom.’

  Sam leans back in her seat while gazing forward, “Mine would be— Mine would be Yellow.”

  “Why yellow,” says Mark.

  “Yellow because… I guess it lights up my mood. It makes me feel, I dunno, joyful and grateful for the things and the people that I have with me.”

  “Makes sense. I wish I can feel the same way you feel about what we have. To be grateful and find goodness in everything despite the darkness.”

  “Yeah, for sure.”

  ‘Mark sure is more mature than I expect him to be,’ Sam thinks. ‘Should I tell him about my dream? No, not now. I just want to give him time to process all his emotions.

  Sam glances at Mark and she sees him asleep, ‘If it’s your will, God. May Mark be the one for me, the one I will marry.’

  Throughout the trip back to Toledo, Sam thinks all sorts of things like:

  ‘Why do I like Cesar when I prefer someone like Mark. Maybe Cesar expressed interest to me first and I only pitied him. That’s why I entertained him’

  ‘I like Mark because… God showed to me in a dream that we will be together in marriage.’

  ‘Mark likes me and I like him. When can I confess to him?’

  Time finally passes by and they drop off Mark to his house.

  “See you at school, Mark,” Sam gives him a gentle smile. “Don’t worry, God will make everything right. Have hope in him.”

  Mark gives back a gentle smile, “Thank you, Sam.”

  “Don’t forget, Splash, that we’re here for you to help you whatever you need. Ok?” says Al.

  “Thank you so much for everything, Sniper,” Mark replies.

  “You’re welcome. God bless you now. Don’t stop loving God no matter what. Understood?”

  “Got it, Sniper.”

  It’s now dawn and the sun has risen. Mark stares at his meal that he cooked by himself but he doesn’t touch it.

  “What good comes out of this, Lord?” says Mark. “Please, heal dad, Lord. Give him something to believe, something to hold on to for life, Lord. I hope you can show him the way to life. Please, lead him to you, Jesus. Please, help my father.”

  A gentle voice echoes in his heart, “God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called in accordance with his purpose. Your father is my son, and I’ve been chasing him since his wandering. I love your father and I will always protect him because he is my son whom my glory will be shown to the ends of the earth.”

  Mark sighs and says, “I don’t know if you’re just saying nonsense, Lord. I don’t know if good comes out of it. And I don’t know if you will be glorified in this, Lord. But I’ll keep believing in you until something happens.”

  Mark sighs once again and then starts to dig into his meal. A quiet solace fills the house as if it’s been purified and cleansed. Only Mark’s clattering dining is audible in a house of stillness.

  Mark finishes the last of his meal and then washes his dining utensils. Just as he is finishing to put the utensils in the proper place, someone knocks on the door.

  Mark goes over the door and opens it. Then Justin goes over to him and suddenly gives him a warm embrace.

  “Justin,” says Mark. “What brings you here?”

  Justin pulls back and says, “I just knew about your dad’s accident. I’m glad he’s still alive but I know that he's still in a coma. I know it’s tough for you, Mark, but I’m here to be by your side.”

  Mark gives him a gentle smile saying, “Thank you, Justin. I appreciate it.”

  “Your welcome, best bud,” Justin chuckles. “Get changed now, we don’t want to be late for school.”

  Mark’s eyes widen, “Oh, right. I need to change. Make yourself at home here.”