#just venting while I wait for my drugs to enter back into my system fully

[ur-cute-so-i]

I can't believe this is my brains default state and that I used to be like this all the time

[ask-svt-hearteu]

Mafia! Woozi

Anon requested: “ since it’s our jihoonie’s birthday today, can i request a mafia!au for out vobo? hehe i just saw that requests are open & i got rly excited !! 💗💗 — daydreaming anon (hbd woozi i love you sO MUCH) “

Word Count: 3679

you never thought you’d be here 

3:58am on a Saturday in one of the most heavily protected buildings in the entire city 

hooking up your sad $535 laptop and praying to whoever runs the universe 

that you’ll be able to go home and eat breakfast in time

as is the life of a hacker

a professional top-of-the-line hacker for hire

too bad the government hasn’t noticed your talent yet

or you would be working for the good guys

but you’re working for whoever helps pay the rent now

and if you take down some corrupt businesses while you’re working for the mob

who cares

that’s enough vigilante justice for you

honestly you’d think that one of the most powerful companies in the city would know better than to have such weak protection for their systems

you shake your head as you smirk and carefully unplug your laptop 

done 

easiest $30,000 dollars of your life 

the company had been known to “donate” a percentage of their revenue back into the city 

things like feeding and housing the homeless 

or ensuring kids go to school and aren’t on the streets 

but in reality they were pocketing all of it 

and come morning 

you would have just exposed their asses 

climbing back out the vent you came through 

you shouldered the backpack with your laptop 

and crawled until you reached the building’s service entrance 

dropping down you were fully intending to walk casually straight out the building 

until you felt your arm jerk as you were roughly pulled behind a wall 

“What the fu-“ 

the person who did it covered your mouth roughly 

and your eyes widened as you saw one of the guards walk by 

you silently cursed at yourself for not monitoring the CCTV system 

you had assumed hacking into it was fine 

but you forgot to check the guard’s positioning 

after he passed you turned back to the person who had just saved your ass 

“Thanks I guess.” 

he didn’t say anything but gave you a sideways glance and shrugged as he pulled out a definitely more expensive and way better laptop than yours 

as he connected it to one of the computers in the room 

“Who are you btw?” You asked eyeing him suspiciously 

he smirked

“What’s it to you?” he replied quietly 

it almost sounded like he was teasing you 

“Sorry if you got offended at me trying to be polite.” You scoff annoyed 

who was this guy? 

he had jet black hair 

and was not super tall from what you could see 

but when he turned back to look at you 

your breath caught in your throat 

“You broke into a high security building to clumsily hack into a system and expose their lies, I don’t think manners are our top priority right now.” he answered looking straight into your eyes

you stared blankly in shock 

“How did you...?” how did he know?

“Regardless I’m here to undo it.” 

you watched as he clicked shut his laptop and faced you 

“The fuck! I’m getting paid, what am I supposed to tell my client?” you said 

he smirked again as he packed up his laptop 

“There are better ways to expose this company.” 

and with that he disappeared 

like legit 

gone poof 

he walked found his escape route before you even had time to process what he meant

you blinked and he was gone 

when you finally returned to your apartment when the sun came up 

and clicked on the tv 

the news was playing 

“-donates half of their entire yearly revenue to creating shelters for the homeless...” 

your jaw dropped 

while you had wanted to expose to the media this company’s lies 

whoever that guy was last night 

had transferred over half of the entire company’s revenue 

in the five minutes he had spent saving you from lifetime in prison 

who the fuck was he? 

 his name was Lee Jihoon 

and honestly did he ever think he’d have to deal with other hackers even close to his caliber? 

nope 

but you had broken through into the company’s servers in record times 

he was intrigued 

and more than a bit competitive 

“Jeonghan, you think you could look up someone for me?” he asked walking into Svt’s main meeting room

Jeonghan was hunched over some papers planning the next job no doubt

without looking up, Jeonghan said

“That’s like asking if I like taking naps Jihoon, who do you think I am? All I need is a name-” 

“I don’t have her name yet.” 

Jeonghan raised an eyebrow swiveling in his chair to face Jihoon 

his blue prints and detailed plans fluttering at the sudden movement 

“Her?” Jeonghan questioned, teasing smile on his lips  

“I can’t work with you.” Jihoon rolled his eyes while walking off to find Seungcheol 

“WAIT WHAT DO YOU MEAN ‘HER’?!?!?” Jeonghan yelled after him smiling 

Jihoon had joined Seungcheol’s team a while ago 

one of the original members 

but the others didn’t really know about him at first 

because he kept to himself 

usually tinkering with gadgets in his own office in the Svt complex 

overlooking the city 

overlooking their territory 

he also may have held up a gun to Soonyoung’s head when Soonyoung tried to touch him 

jokingly 

or so everyone would like to think XD 

one time Seungkwan had lost a bet to the others 

and was dared to go into Jihoon’s office

-just to try to learn more about this teammate they didn’t see much of 

but they got caught

and Seungcheol was scolding them until Jihoon walked out and told them to just order dinner and call it done 

and tbh although this cold mafia hacker didn’t easily trust people 

that one night where he got to sit down with the whole gang for a meal finally 

and although he would never admit it 

after being around the whole gang for years 

he trusted them with his life 

one of the best hackers hands down 

sometimes jokingly gets called the cyber shadow 

bc he’s Svt’s hidden member 

doesn’t go out in the field for most missions 

but has a hand in planning, masterminding, and orchestrating the whole thing 

didn’t like going out for any jobs anyway

that is until he had the proper motivation to

you quietly slunk through the security room 

attaching your USB to the main computer 

uploading the code that would shut off alarms for an hour or until you turned it back on 

this job was easy

stop the security system long enough to allow your client to rob the facility 

once the system was down you called the client 

“Yea the systems are down.” 

and you leaned back in your chair to monitor the camera systems as your client gang snuck into the facility 

“Honestly thought you’d be some social justice warrior but it looks like you’re in this for money.” 

you nearly fell out of the chair at the sound of that voice 

one you’d never forget 

“You!” You pointed at the guy you met that night 

he had entered the security room quietly behind you and was leaning against the wall

“Yep it’s me.” He smirked setting down a bag 

his black hair tousled lightly and hidden behind his hoodie 

he might be considered cute or good looking maybe 

ahem even though he’s totally not your type 

“I mean I do what I do for money too, but I’m surprised you play dirty also.” He laughed taking out a laptop 

“What are you doing here?” You say cutting straight to the point 

“While you’re helping this small gang live for another day, I’m helping kings grow an empire.” 

his smirk was really starting to make your heart flutter annoy you 

“and so you’re here because...?” you ask rolling your eyes 

“There’s access to the servers from this security room since the facility houses both companies.” 

you snort 

“You’re trying to hack the credit loan company next door?” You try to hold back giggles 

what kind of kings, please you think sarcastically 

here you were stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars and he was trying to hack a credit loan company 

“Information is much more valuable than money sometimes, a big drug smuggler wired money through this place and I want to know how much.” He shrugs 

“Speaking of information...” he says turning to walk right up to your chair  

you’re taken back as he walks right up in your face 

“What’s your name?” He asks placing a hand on either side of your chair 

his weight being balanced on his hands resting on the arm rests of your chair 

his eyes inches from yours 

“I don’t kiss and tell.” you say not backing down from his stare 

it was hard breathing with him so close 

he smiled 

“Let’s trade info then.” He laughed, “a name for a name.” 

“How can I trust you?” You saying tilting your head 

he steps back from you finally giving you room to breathe again 

“You can’t trust me, but I promise that I actually do keep my word... sometimes” 

you looked at him trying to decipher his words 

he looked like that joking smirk was forever an aspect of his face 

but in his eyes 

you thought you saw something genuine 

curiosity maybe 

or something else 

“Fine, my name is y/n.” You give in, “but maybe I’m lying or maybe I’m not.” 

“I’m Lee Jihoon.” He said breaking out into a smile before continuing his hacking 

at that moment your phone vibrated indicating your clients were done with the job 

Jihoon was still bent over his laptop typing away 

you thought about his adorable smirk and how it made your heart skip a beat 

and you blushed, flustered that he showed you up last time 

but this time you’d be the last one laughing 

you unhooked your USB that had been preventing the alarms from going off and ignored the warning window 

and that was when the security room’s alarms started blaring making Jihoon jump 

“Well hate to run while we were having so much fun,” you smirk, “but good luck explaining this to the cops.” 

you ran out the room right as the doors locked behind you 

as you looked back at him after getting into the car 

rather than angry he looked exasperated 

and slightly impressed maybe? 

you drove off before the police really did appear 

“SHE AHAHAHAHA SHE AHAHAHA LOCKED THE ROOM AHAHAHAHA.” Mingyu was dying on the ground laughing 

“I swear I might actually shoot you.” Jihoon said blushing 

“You have to admit she got you.” Joshua said bringing Jihoon a cup of cola and hiding a smile

“SHE FREAKING LOCKED HIM IN THE SECURITY ROOM!” Mingyu howled 

“Wow she must be something.” Jeonghan chuckled, “When was the last time you were caught off-guard, Jihoon? I can’t remember that ever happening.” 

“Luckily you got out before the cops showed.” Seungcheol smiled patting Jihoon on the back 

they were all having a tad bit too much with the situation

“She must not know who she’s messing with.” Minghao said before getting up

“So tell me her name.” Jeonghan snickered

“Y/n.” Jihoon said done with everyone

“I’ll have her file to you by midnight.” with that the gang dispersed, leaving Jihoon to wonder

what kind of person are you?

you had a lot more run-ins with “Lee Jihoon” after that night in the security room

whether you were out doing little jobs or big ones

he always seemed to know where you were

“Are you following me?” you asked him one night 

the both of you were at city hall

you were trying to get into the mayor’s financial plans, info that would sell

and he was connecting to the police line

“Why would I do that?” he retorted 

it was dark so you didn’t see him blushing

but he had indeed followed you here

he wasn’t sure what it was

but you had not only intrigued him and caught his attention

but Jeonghan had been unable to dig up anything on you

which was almost impossible

Jeonghan knew how to get anything on anyone

and so Jihoon was here to find out info the old fashion way

talking

“You seem too smart of a person to be a criminal.” he began looking over your shoulder at the laptop you were working on

“So do you.” you respond ducking out from next to him to continue working

“I’m not a genius, but I think that if you’re not the best at something, you’ll always put more effort into it.” he shrugged

you clicked your laptop shut

“Wanna go get coffee?” you said suddenly

he looked up in surprise

“What?!” 

“It’s almost 5am, and from running into you consistently these past few days, I realized I never thanked you for saving me from that guard. I’m not sorry about the security room thing though, that was funny.” you laughed, “but I’m going to go get coffee and if you want I’ll buy you a cup too, that way we’re even.”

“I don’t see how coffee makes us even.” he snorted

“Fine I’m leaving then.” you briskly turned around and started walking

you hear him jog to catch up to you and fall into step next to you

“Coffee is better than nothing i suppose.”

over a cup of coffee the two of you talked a bit

“So where did you learn how to hack?” you ask

“Are we close enough to be asking those kinds of questions?” he responded taking a sip of his coffee

“I suppose not.” you looked down disappointed 

you weren’t sure about Jihoon

you two had met under dangerous circumstances

and you didn’t know enough about the guy to suddenly start liking him

but every time his eyes met yours

or whenever you watched him swiftly hacking into something

fingers flying over the keyboard the way a pianist’s fingers played the piano

you couldn’t help the feeling of awe and curiosity 

who was he?

Jihoon coughed

“How about we start with what we do for a living?” he laughed, “I think that’s enough for now.”

so you told him a bit about being a hacker for hire

nothing really interesting

besides living 

that’s all there was to it

you were just living your life one job at a time

he sighed

“I think I understand.” he looked out the window 

“I was like that too until I found the others.” he stirred his cup before downing it

“Others?” you ask

“My friends, I guess you’d call them.” 

you pursed your lips

“Don’t you know what friends are?” you asked in return

“I don’t really trust people you know, occupational hazard.” he chuckled

you understood

people too often stab you in the back when you’re doing this kind of job

it was hard to find anyone to trust

his phone buzzed

and you watched as he picked it up

“Looks like I gotta go.” he smiled, “It was actually kind of fun to see how normal people live out of the shadows.”

you nodded in agreement

“It was also nice talking to you.” you said reaching out to shake his hand, “Hopefully our next few run-ins can be on more friendly terms.” you laugh

he reaches for your hand 

gently, as his hand takes yours

and as he pulls you closer to him

“Stay safe.” he says gently into your ear

and then he’s gone

you sit frozen in your spot at what just happened and look over at his empty cup

on the cup are nine letters scrambled up

you stare at it recalling him writing it on his cup when he was talking with you

and you realized 

it’s his number

you pick up the cup, unconsciously smiling

and go home

you don’t see him the next few nights

heck for the whole week you don’t

you half-expected him to melt out of the shadows with a smirk on his face and some teasing comment about your hacking abilities

but he wasn’t around

it was more than a bit worrying

you had his number and you were tempted to call

but could you?

you shook your head as you made your way out that night for your next job

the client had been a bit of a mystery

they called using a disposable phone which wasn’t uncommon 

except they also used voice modulation

suspicious perhaps but you were getting paid

you walked up to the address they had left

a small office building

and climbed in through a window

gently setting your things down you were about to begin when

the whole world went dark

and suddenly the smell of chloroform made the world feel dizzying as you slowly closed your eyes

when you woke up

your head hurt and everything felt upside down

but more than that

what greeted your vision first

was the appearance of a gun

pointed right at you

“You’re up.” 

the voice was rough and you felt like throwing up at the sound of it

“Yea I’m up you freaking asses, what the fuck do you want?”

“We require your services.”

“Then go through the proper channels and pay me you pricks.” you said trying to keep clam

the gun was raised 

“Is this enough payment?’ the voice said indicating the gun

“Whatever, let’s just get this done.” you took deep breaths

not that this hasn’t happened before

but you had never had a gun so close in your face

and it was terrifying to think you might not see the sun rise today

you pulled up to the desk of the room the men were in

and turned on the computer as they watched you

whoever had programmed the firewall for the servers knew what they were doing

you were nearly stumped

until you remembered something Jihoon had done that night in the security room

why did he come up in your thoughts now?

you remembered him telling you to stay safe

and looking at the guys with bullets ready to be fired at you

your eyes started tearing up

you know how these things go

as soon as you were done, you were dead

“Hurry it up.”

you opened the files on the computer and looked through some of it

a lot were mainly book stuff

how much this group was getting paid and when the latest orders for weapons were coming in

you assumed that whoever you were hacking, they must be a competing gang to the men currently holding you captive

you looked deeper into the files until you stumbled across a peculiar file

in it were names

“Yoon Jeonghan” you read to yourself

“likes napping and stealing my cola mostly, overall a good person to talk to” 

“Hong Jisoo” you read the next file

“quiet and also not quiet, good listener.” you were curious

what kind of files were these?

and then one file popped up

“Y/n L/n.” you held your breath

“likes coffee at five am in the morning”

you knew who the computer belonged to 

a bang on the door jolted you from the files

“Fuck!” the men scrambled to brace themselves as the door blew open

you took cover under the desk as you heard bullets going off and yelling

maybe this was all just a bad nightmare

you closed your eyes and silently listed off numbers

a hand gently took yours and you opened your eyes

Jihoon was there with the most adorable and relieved smile on his face

“Well, had I know you were coming to visit me today, I would have bought coffee.” he pulled you up into his arms and gently walked you out the room

“Don’t mind the guns and stuff, I’m sure you’re not all too curious about the guys that tried to kill you.” he said 

you heard an edge to his voice but didn’t look at your surroundings until he had lead you to a separate room with a couch

sitting down with you, it finally hit you

you’re not dying today

you were shaking as he gently placed his arms around you

“I’m surprised you broke through my firewall, guess I have to fix that as soon as possible.” he chuckled wrapping you up in his arms 

“The frick Jihoon.” you laughed smacking his arm, “I almost died and exposed your identity and you’re concerned about your firewall?”

“Well yea.” he smiled, “And I’m trying not to bash their heads in but Seungcheol said that would require a lot of clean up in the morning and I’m not down for that.” 

you weren’t sure if he was joking or not

“Kidding, kidding, they’re all ok and currently being dropped off at the police station with a note that says ‘courtesy of your friendly neighborhood mafia’.”

“I still have no idea if you’re joking or not Jihoon.”

“Let’s just pretend I’m serious then.” he said as you both started laughing

“I’m just glad you’re safe.” you said blushing at hearing your own words

“Why wouldn’t I be, you were the one in trouble here y/n”

“I could have taken them.”

“Sure sure.” he smiled

“Listen, I’m not letting you out of my sight again. I genuinely thought that perhaps it’d be safer for you without interacting with me, but this situation only proved that I can’t let you go anywhere by yourself.” he said turning to face you

“So stay here with me will you?” his eyes looked gently into yours

“I-”

“We have high speed internet and netflix.” he laughed “If you’re interested.”

“So I’d have to live with the mafia?” you asked raising an eyebrow

“No you’re just living in our territory and that way I can see you more often.” he shrugged

“Ok but only if the netflix thing is for sure.” you laugh

and you’re surprised as he gently presses his lips against yours

the scent of something floral and citrusy warming you as his gentle lips kissed yours

“As long as you’re here with me.” he said

MASTERLIST

[writestufflj20]

Miracle at County Hospital

     It was a still and chilly October night in 2008 in the stunning city of La Verne, California. However, the world was spinning and the foundation seemed to be falling right from underneath Dena Perez the more she thought about her father, Antonio Perez. It was the middle of the night yet Dena found herself still lying in her bed wide-eyed as if she had just drunk two cups of coffee. She could not sleep with all the anxiety that was consuming her. It was not until after she said a quick prayer that she finally fell asleep.

      The following morning was not any better, she attempted to get ready for work as if it was any other day although the idea that in a few hours her father would get a diagnosis from the doctors still lingered in her thoughts. As she drove to work on the 10 West she played worship music had the window rolled down so her luscious curls fully dried with the cool morning air all the while silently praying that her father’s biopsy demonstrated that her dad was 100% healthy. Her work day at [job] was the longest 8 hours she had ever experienced in her life. Her phone was glued to her hand as she waited for a phone call from her sister, Leann, who had driven their dad to LAC + USC Medical Center for his doctor’s appointment. For a year now Antonio had been seeing many doctors in search for an answer to his strange symptoms and multiple times throughout the year he was misdiagnosed. The Perez family was hoping that today they would finally be able to figure out what has been causing Antonio’s rapid weight loss, night sweats, drastic mood swings, and intense itchiness. Finally, as the clock struck 5pm Dena’s work day was over and still she had not received a call from her sister. As she was walking to her car, her phone barely rung once and she answered. It was her sister. Dena knew exactly what the call was about and she was both ready to hear the news yet hesitant.

           “It’s what they thought it was.” Dena’s sister mechanically states.

           As soon as she heard her sisters statement she immediately felt as though she had been punched in the stomach while simultaneously having ice water poured over her. Although Dena’s sister didn’t say the words Dena knew exactly what she meant. Within seconds fear and worry for her father entered her thoughts. Her body was paralyzed yet her mind was racing to the worst scenarios she could imagine until she found her voice.

           “Oh my God, my dad” slipped from her lips as she voiced her concern about her father.

           Those where the only words that Dena managed to speak and quickly ended the conversation with her sister. She simply sat in her car in complete silence with no desire to speak to anyone. She recalls that after a few seconds she didn’t even want to think about it and instead “immediately putting on worship music.”

           “I need to not focus on where my mind wants to go” Dena told her self as she tried to compose herself.

           In 2008, Dena Perez was a lively, spunky, and dynamic 25-year-old Mexican American women when she found out that her father was diagnosed with Stage 4 Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. She grew up with an older sister, younger brother and both her mother and father. Dena was an active youth minister and enthusiastic worship leader at her church in Ontario. She would not miss a single Sunday, Wednesday or Friday service. She was dedicated to studying the Bible, teaching youth and eager to learn more of “the Kingdom of God”. Dena was raised in Centro Diplomatico, or “Diplomatic Center”, a primarily Spanish speaking congregation that originated in El Monte and moved to Ontario. She vividly remembers that her mother and father were constantly helping the pastors and other ministry leaders, while she would hide under the chairs. During services she would sit in the front row and gaze admiringly at the pastor’s wife, who played the piano and led worship when she was a little girl. Dena thought to her self “I want to be just like her” and made it her goal to be apart of the worship team. When she was in high school, she was appointed the youth ministry leader because of the dedication she had to the church and her love to minister to people.

           Later that night, her whole family gathered including Leann’s husband, Edgar, and her boyfriend, Jacob, to discuss the news and figure out how they were going to contribute to Antonio overcoming Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma is a form of cancer that starts off in the lymphatic stem and is most often discovered due to the swelling of the lymph nodes. They were preparing for war. Dena’s brother in law took charge of the matter, and made a plan for the whole family. Dena said that they immediately came in agreement that they would not use the word cancer, “we didn’t want to declare that onto my dad.” Dena says that her family were strong believers that the words a person speaks can give life or death, which is taken from Proverbs 18:21 in the Bible. Dena was attentive but she could not dismiss the knots in her stomach and the overwhelming anxiety that consumed her. Her feelings of concern and worry for her father were mirrored in every member of the family except one, her dad.

           “Look, I don’t want you guys to start freaking out” Antonio interrupted.

           Dena looked at her father and he appeared calm and worriless. Dena said he knew that his current health status was going to be momentary. Dena had always greatly admired her dad. She would describe Antonio as a hard working, focused and strong personality wise. Dena saw these traits stand out even more in this moment when everyone had fear for his future. The evening ended with a family prayer, asking God to heal Antonio and to guide them through the process.

           That night together as a family marked the beginning of a two-year journey for the Perez family. Dena would accompany her parents to her dad’s doctor appointments. Since, the cancer had progressed rapidly he would receive a type of chemotherapy name rCHOP, which was a combination of 5 different drugs, two to three times a week. Also, the family would take turns driving Antonio to Mexicali where he would receive homeopathic treatment on the days he wasn’t taking the chemotherapy. Dena had to witness her father slowly deteriorate before she would be able to witness him get better. Antonio was hospitalized a few times, yet Dena didn’t describe those moments to be the most traumatizing. She said that because her father was so calm, the entire room had a peaceful aura. When Dena was with him, she was always trying to be positive and strong in order to keep him motivated but outside of his presence she would cry to Leann or Edgar. She admitted that she was spiritually tired and sometimes thought that prayer was getting them nowhere.

           Dena remembers that one night as she went to say goodnight to her father in her parent’s room, that she found her father sitting up in excruciating pain. She worried for him but had no way to help so she sat by his side hoping that at least her company could ease some pain. After a few moments, her dad would share with her that he felt like “he couldn’t do it anymore” and was ready to just give up. She knew it was best just to let her father vent because she did not have an experience that could relate to what he was going through. She sat there listening to him and when he was done she said, “Dad, I understand that you feel this way but we cannot let you quit.” Dena began singing him a worship song and Antonio tried to sing along with her. She prayed with father and then left the room. That night she searched through family albums, looked up pictures on the internet and compiled a collection of picture. The following morning, she taped them over the mirror in his bathroom. The mirror was completely covered with images of his truck, their family, bible verses, and phrases such as “#1 Grandpa” even though Antonio was not a grandpa just yet. Dena did this gesture because she did not want her dad to focus on what he looked like now and was hoping this would “push him to his future.”

           After the two years of taking chemotherapy, Dena’s father was in the clear. He had a significant amount of weight and his head was nearly bald from all the hair that had fallen. The doctors said that the chemo worked effectively and he had no sign of cancer in his system. Antonio’s doctors recommended that he still go periodically to get a lighter dose of chemo because his type of cancer normally goes into remission but could come back. But as soon as the news spread to each member, they would break out in tears from the excitement and joy. Dena and her whole family were so relieved to hear that her father had overcome such a challenging health battle and they had not lost Antonio to cancer.

           In August of 2016 Antonio went back to the county hospital because he had a headache. The doctors did a full check up and found something alarming in his blood sample. Antonio had to have more test done and was sent home. Dena was confident that everything was going to be okay because of her faith in God. She figured if God had protected him before that he could do it again. A few days passed and Antonio received a call saying they found cancer again in his system and they needed to do more test on him. When Dena found out she was so distraught. She questioned God and was frustrated because they had all been faithful even through the pain. Yet, they still showed up that Sunday after getting news that the cancer had come back. Amazingly, something happened that Sunday where the youth of the church was moved, without knowing about the circumstance, to place their hands on Antonio and pray for him. The act of placing a person’s hand on other person is a sign of agreement, and it is believed that the contact transfers health and power to the person. Dena was moved to tears watching the scenario unravel. The following day, Antonio went to the county hospital with his wife. It was another tense day for Dena as she waited at work for news. Finally, her mom called saying that everyone needed to go home immediately because they had news. Dena assumed the worst and erupted into tears. She walked into her house with red puffy eyes from crying the whole drive, but was surprised to find her dad and mom laughing and cooking in the kitchen. She felt as though a weight had been lifted off her shoulders when her dad said that they doctor’s didn’t find anything after running all the test they could possibly run.

           As of May 2017 Dena’s father has not gotten any new signs of cancer lingering in his system. Dena loves to see her father strong again, especially when she watches him play with his newly born granddaughter. Her relationship with God is much stronger than before especially now that she has witness his guidance and protection over her father’s life. She also realized how crucial her families support system was during such troubling times. She continues to pray everyday that her father remains healthy and can witness his grandchildren grow up.

by Joanne Mora