Abby's Dying Wish

Synopsis

Abby is an adorable 8-year-old bundle of joy. Her widowed mom, Michelle, does her best to raise a daughter alone but struggles to overcome the grief she has carried with her the past three years so she can move on with her life. Michelle’s older sister Sharon is the only fun she has aside from her daughter.

While Abby misses her dad terribly, she hates seeing her mom be so sad and lonely. With Sharon’s help, they attempt to fix Michelle up with Sharon’s co-worker. That doesn’t go the way they hoped so Abby moves on to Plan B - the handsome mailman. She becomes friendly with him so Jake and Michelle are forced to interact. There is an attraction between them, but Jake just had a relationship end a couple weeks earlier and Michelle refuses to let herself be happy.

Abby hides headaches she has been having until they worsen. Initially, Abby’s doctor believes they are allergy related but when she passes out at school, the hospital discovers she has a brain tumor. Even worse, it’s malignant and operating would mean certain death. All that the cancer doctor can do is give her chemotherapy to buy her more time.

Michelle is utterly devastated by the news. The only thing she has left of her deceased husband will be dying soon. 

Abby understands her situation but instead of worrying about herself, she wants to enjoy what little time she has left, and make sure Michelle can be happy again after she’s gone. She sets Jake up with her mom in an attempt to force them into interacting. They hit it off well, although Michelle still resists allowing herself to be happy.

The couple grows closer. Most of their time is spent with Abby, which makes her very happy. Things go so well that Jake asks Abby if he has her blessing to propose. Abby couldn’t be happier, until Jake proposes to Michelle and she turns him down. It’s not that she doesn’t love him, it’s that she feels every moment should be spent with Abby, giving her undivided quality time. There will be plenty of chances for Michelle to think of herself after the worst happens.

Jake is left heartbroken over the rejection. Abby wants her mom to reconsider. She convinces Michelle that it’s best for both of them if she tries to be happy now while Abby is around to see it. Michelle makes up with Jake and accepts his proposal, although they don’t set a wedding date just yet.

When Abby’s condition worsens, she asks that they marry while she’s still around to see it. The couple agrees. Soon after, Abby grows closer to the end. She tells Michelle her dad says it’s time and dies in her mom’s arms. Abby predicted she would one day have a little sister named Lindsy and leaves behind a gift basket with letter for her. Michelle does give birth to a girl she names Lindsy and tells her new daughter all about her big sister that she never got to know, but who loved her. 

First 5 Pages