A TO

c. F

he doctor informed me that my mother's h

meds, she was doing the exercises being

l insurance covered a small potion of

white tile like a mad woman

at the same time I couldn't ignore

sh of nurses moving past me heightened my nerves. I was a mess, I h

ice brought me ba

vy blue shirt and some black jeans. I raised my eye

he had me in his arms

l be able to pay for it", I cried hold

ord to pay for it. My measley savings were not enoug

t surgery and she is going to pull through t

eant and I pushed his chest back wipi

for it", I said loo

would I ever repay him? It was taking advantage of him

of me. To them, I was the girl pulling t

en is my family. You are my family",he persiste

ice croaked,"I'll

, even though he wante

y? Ali, you can't keep doing this to yourself. You are already tired a

g away my tears and I sobbed the

im but I needed something to hold onto. I knew straight aw

ercent sure I had

bit of energy I had left. Ray instructed me to sit by while he

gernails as I looked around at other family members wa

act strong for my mom while my dad was in th

ey were a constant reminder of the pain I fel

ctor from earlier stood infront of me

Is she

the surgery right away with your consent ofcourse",he said

ocument on the cli

. I still haven't c

ed either way but I didn't want for it to

ned nodding in

t the bills. They have all be

dn't... Ray?"

the document?" The nurse asked

that he would prepare for the surge

wondering how fast R

walking towards me with two pla

me",he muttered and I pee

spered taking the

ee? It's no big dea

. The surgery was going

Rest assured I'll

rising in a way that screamed I-do

. I don't how you have done it so fast, but thank you"

tter and even in my wrecke

"I went to the coffee machine

s disgusting to do so but the shock of hearing Raymond say he didn't c

ho did?" I as

ne who wanted to help?"Ray hinted

he only guy who knows us wants nothin

aid the bills but the fact that I didn't

one who wanted some

ike loan sharks, lending you money and

th mom or me. He hated my mother after she married a poor man. H

that later, the important th

first priority, t

those five hours, I slept, I got worried, I talked to Ray,I pl

e out of the operating room telling me that it was okay

ry was a success. I was

taking a deep breath an

est heaving up and down as the ma

es in her mouth and no

thest end bringing it closer t

hand, holding it de

d my throat full and tears stinging my eyes,"I-I can't lose y

eyes fluttered open. The lights in the room

ormed on

y head quickly trying to tell her 'a

hing. You are alright and that'

talked about how I disliked the guy who refused to give me a job last week beca

s an Indian would he not employ me? And i

r some knock k

sh Stew. Irish Stew who? Iris

t

alk out of the room. I went to the waitin

she?"

ou can see her tomorrow. I thought you went

knew that hospital loung

u are lying yo

ything comes up",he sto

o the receptionist before sh

u please check for me

ed at first but

ared, ma'am", she said

ask b

hat, ma'am",she said quickly but

ould be-I just-", I pretended to cry,"I don't know what I would have done without my-my mother. Please. I just want

She seemed touched by

ttons until she read the n

arter, paid

tuttered moving

rt

n Ca

that got

poured wasabi

called an amb

than C

room, seating on the met

fter everything? I was shocked but then

ake an entire life

e reason why he paid

oday standing on my own porch?

uld help me? Nevertheless I was no charity case and

f owing him money. An arrog

d's will, I would pay him