will.”
11
Back in Mom’s room her eyes flutter open, and she moans. It’s a deep-throat moan of pain. My insides clench, and I rush to her side. “What’s wrong, Mom?”
She swallows and glances around the room wildly. Finally, her eyes settle on me. “I’m fine, Hana. Sorry about that.”
She doesn’t seem fine. What if she’d awoken in pain, alone? Then I realize that she probably has, and I feel like I’m going to be sick. “Mom, are you OK? Do you need something? Maybe some water, or pain medicine?” At least there are still a few medicines that we can produce in our small country, which we know of, anyway.
“Water would be great. When the doctors come back I’ll ask for more medicine.”
I quickly fill a glass of water and hand it to her, but she only takes one small sip and sets it down.
“What time is it?” she asks.
I look at the clock on the wall. “It’s a little before noon.”
She frowns. “What day is it?”
“It’s Sunday, Mom.” She’s obviously gotten her days mixed up, being in here for so long. “Hey, Mom, when will they let you go home? Can’t they teach you how to eat this special diet at home?” If she isn’t getting chemo drugs yet then I don’t see why she needs to be here.
She shrugs a little, and I notice she winces with pain just doing that much. “I don’t know. I haven’t ever thought of it, but I’ll ask. It does sound nice.”
That lifts my spirits some. Having Mom home would be so great. I could still cook and clean, but I would be able to take care of her. We wouldn’t have to come to the hospital every day, and we could all be together.
Fischer brings lunch around twelve. It’s a fruit salad and a whole wheat roll. It doesn’t seem very filling, but Mom says she doesn’t have much of an appetite anyway.
“Would you like anything?” Fischer asks me. “We provide a meal for one visitor. Today is chili and cornbread.”
I think about saying yes, but then I remember Mom can only eat fruits and vegetables. I don’t want to make her hungry for something she can’t have.
“No thanks,” I say. “I have to meet my friend Jamie soon anyway. I can eat then.”
Fischer smiles and ducks out. He doesn’t show that we ever had a conversation before I came in. He doesn’t show that he knows the government has the ability to help Mom get better but so far is choosing not to. He doesn’t show that he knows my life is in turmoil.
I’m thankful for that.
“What are you and Jamie doing later?” Mom asks. She spears a strawberry and nibbles at it.
I don’t want to go. I would rather stay here, with her. “It’s the end of the week. We’re going to the market to use up our food allowances.”
My mom nods. “Get all that you can.”
“Of course,” I say, because of course I will. Why would she feel the need to impart this to me? But then I realize I’m just being jumpy. She’s being a mom. She doesn’t have any authority anymore, and she’s probably searching for any part of her life she can control.
And I thought my life was in turmoil. She must feel terrible, being cooped up in this room all day.
After she finishes her lunch, I kiss her on the cheek. “Maybe we’ll find something good at the market I can bring you.”
She smiles.
“Oh! I almost forgot.” I pull a book from my bag. “Dad asked me to give this to you.”
Her eyes light up like stars. “Oh, tell him thanks! This will give me something to do.” My heart leaps at seeing her smile, but then she lets out a huge yawn. “Well, when I can stay awake anyway.”
I’m reminded she isn’t well.
I wave goodbye and start for home. Jamie will be watching for me, waiting to meet me at the sidewalk. We both look forward to our trips to market together. We get to browse new items, see new faces, and try new things. It’s a nice break from our normally boring lives.
The food market is a ten minute walk from our block. This makes it even better,
11
Back in Mom’s room her eyes flutter open, and she moans. It’s a deep-throat moan of pain. My insides clench, and I rush to her side. “What’s wrong, Mom?”
She swallows and glances around the room wildly. Finally, her eyes settle on me. “I’m fine, Hana. Sorry about that.”
She doesn’t seem fine. What if she’d awoken in pain, alone? Then I realize that she probably has, and I feel like I’m going to be sick. “Mom, are you OK? Do you need something? Maybe some water, or pain medicine?” At least there are still a few medicines that we can produce in our small country, which we know of, anyway.
“Water would be great. When the doctors come back I’ll ask for more medicine.”
I quickly fill a glass of water and hand it to her, but she only takes one small sip and sets it down.
“What time is it?” she asks.
I look at the clock on the wall. “It’s a little before noon.”
She frowns. “What day is it?”
“It’s Sunday, Mom.” She’s obviously gotten her days mixed up, being in here for so long. “Hey, Mom, when will they let you go home? Can’t they teach you how to eat this special diet at home?” If she isn’t getting chemo drugs yet then I don’t see why she needs to be here.
She shrugs a little, and I notice she winces with pain just doing that much. “I don’t know. I haven’t ever thought of it, but I’ll ask. It does sound nice.”
That lifts my spirits some. Having Mom home would be so great. I could still cook and clean, but I would be able to take care of her. We wouldn’t have to come to the hospital every day, and we could all be together.
Fischer brings lunch around twelve. It’s a fruit salad and a whole wheat roll. It doesn’t seem very filling, but Mom says she doesn’t have much of an appetite anyway.
“Would you like anything?” Fischer asks me. “We provide a meal for one visitor. Today is chili and cornbread.”
I think about saying yes, but then I remember Mom can only eat fruits and vegetables. I don’t want to make her hungry for something she can’t have.
“No thanks,” I say. “I have to meet my friend Jamie soon anyway. I can eat then.”
Fischer smiles and ducks out. He doesn’t show that we ever had a conversation before I came in. He doesn’t show that he knows the government has the ability to help Mom get better but so far is choosing not to. He doesn’t show that he knows my life is in turmoil.
I’m thankful for that.
“What are you and Jamie doing later?” Mom asks. She spears a strawberry and nibbles at it.
I don’t want to go. I would rather stay here, with her. “It’s the end of the week. We’re going to the market to use up our food allowances.”
My mom nods. “Get all that you can.”
“Of course,” I say, because of course I will. Why would she feel the need to impart this to me? But then I realize I’m just being jumpy. She’s being a mom. She doesn’t have any authority anymore, and she’s probably searching for any part of her life she can control.
And I thought my life was in turmoil. She must feel terrible, being cooped up in this room all day.
After she finishes her lunch, I kiss her on the cheek. “Maybe we’ll find something good at the market I can bring you.”
She smiles.
“Oh! I almost forgot.” I pull a book from my bag. “Dad asked me to give this to you.”
Her eyes light up like stars. “Oh, tell him thanks! This will give me something to do.” My heart leaps at seeing her smile, but then she lets out a huge yawn. “Well, when I can stay awake anyway.”
I’m reminded she isn’t well.
I wave goodbye and start for home. Jamie will be watching for me, waiting to meet me at the sidewalk. We both look forward to our trips to market together. We get to browse new items, see new faces, and try new things. It’s a nice break from our normally boring lives.
The food market is a ten minute walk from our block. This makes it even better,
Similar Books
