Cassandra Meyers

“What a day!”, my best friend Selene exclaimed. We just finished our last session today and now going to my afternoon shift at the café, which starts from 4 pm to 8 pm. “I know.”, I said laughing. “What are you laughing about? It’s not funny at all.”, then glared at me. “Well, I’m not the one who was flirting in class.”, I said sarcastically. “Yeah, yeah. You don’t have to tell me that.”, and rolled her eyes at me.

“I got to go now, my shift is going to start. I don’t want to get fired.”, I said and sighed. “Odette, if you just have accepted mom’s offer– help, perhaps. You don’t have to work yourself to much, you know. I understand your doing this for your mother but–”, I cut her off.

“Selene, you and your family already helped me a lot. You accepted my mother at your hospital even we can’t afford to pay, helped us look for a place to live for a while, and now your mother just offered me a big money for my mother’s surgery. That is just too much help and I don’t want someone owe something from me.”, I heaved another sigh and looked at her.

“I hope you understand what I feel. It’s just…” “I know, I understand. But still, if you need any help. I’ll always be here or maybe call me.”, she held my hand, while looking at me. “I am so lucky to have a friend like you.” “Aww, I’m so touched. Come here and give me a kiss.”, she said while grinning at me.

“Ew! No way, over my dead gorgeous body.”, I said and we both laughed. “Okay, that’s enough laughing and I’m late for work.” “How about I drop you there?”, she suggested. As her driver arrived “No, it’s fine. I can manage.” “You sure?”, she assured. I just nodded at her. “Okay, if something happened. You know what to do, hmm?” “Yes, I will, mother.”, I sarcastically said. She rolled her eyes at me. “I’ll see you tomorrow, then?” “Tomorrow it is.”, I smiled and waved goodbye at her as I watched the car no longer to be seen.

“Time to go to the café now.”, I said to myself. Feeling nervous and anxious. Hoo! It’s okay. She won’t fire me, right? I’m now in front of the café and I could feel my heart beating rapidly like it’s about to get out of its ribcage.

“Well, this is what you get for coming late. Very good, Odette. Very good.”, I scolded myself.

“Finally, just survived from this misery.”, I said dramatically.

Sheila, my co-worker laughed. “Good thing you’re still here.”, she laughed again. “Yeah, good thing for me.”, I said and went to the locker room, then changed to my casual clothes.

“Going now?” “Yup, I need to visit mom at the hospital. Is it okay if–”, she cut me off. “No worries dear, you can go. I’ll lock up.”, I smiled and hugged her. “Thank you.”, I whispered. “You are welcome, now go and leave already.”, she said and pushed me to the door.

“Thank you, again.”, I shouted to her, as I got out from the café and waved my hand at her. She just nodded and continued what she was doing.

Just got out from the cab and now walking to elevator up to the floor where my mother was admitted. I am now in front of my mother’s hospital room. Gently opening the door making sure I won’t be making any sounds to wake her up.

As I got in, I saw my father holding my mother’s hand, who was sleeping peaceful. I saw him wiped his tears, as he noticed the door sound, clicking. Then, looked at me.

“Odette, you’re here.”, he said making sure that I won’t notice him crying lately.

But he failed, I could clearly see his eyes swollen, knowing that he has been crying too long.

“Dad, what are you doing here. You should be at home, resting.” “I’m sorry, it’s just–”, he sniffed and tears started to fall.

“Dad, it’s okay. I understand. I promise, I’ll work more so that we can have enough for mom’s surgery and we’ll be happy family again. Once, I finished college. I’ll buy us a house that’s more comfortable, we’ll have enough money to buy our needs and be complete again.”, I said to him, with tears falling from my eyes.

“O-odette, h-honey.”, I heard mother say. We quickly wiped our tears. “Yes, mom. It’s me.”, she smiled. “H-how’s y-your day, h-honey.”, she said, having a hard time speaking each word. “Fine mom, very fine.”, I smiled sweetly at her. She looked at me, then, dad. “D-did y-you both… C-cried?”, she asked looking at through the eye.

“No, mom. It’s just tears of joy.”, I lied. She just smiled at me. I really felt bad lying to her. I never lied especially to my mother, but I had to. I don’t want her to feel that she is a burden. My mother was diagnosed with heart cancer, stage 3.

“Odette, you should get home, it’s getting dark. I bet you haven’t eaten, yet. I’ll be watching your mother for now.”, dad said. “You sure, dad?”, he just nodded. “Okay. I’ll be going now, mom. Rest well and you too, dad.”, I kissed mom’s forehead, then hugged dad.

“T-take c-care.”, I heard mom said. “I will.”, walking through the door.