his fifties with silver hair and glasses, finally walks out and tells me what is happening.

m over the magazine to say, “Yes

had to open her chest and there is always the risk of reoccurring heart attack, stroke, or infection. The qu

y part-time job at the creamery down the street from here. If they made me a manager, maybe I could swing it, but otherwise not in a

ill make it or not.” His voice fades off as he looks me up and down appreciatively, before continuing, “You know. You are very beautiful. Perhaps you could work down at the strip

nd try to change the conversation quickly. “Is there a payment plan? Or someone I can go to

ooks back at me lecherously, “Remember what I said about the stripping gig. There is great potential there with that body of yours and your looks. Just let your hair down o

o it after all. Even though, I know full well that I could never do it. I’m still

mother. I know I should have asked the doctor, but he caught me off guard with all the suggestions about stripp

ttention to me, she asks, “May I help y

mewhat hoarse voice, “I want to see my moth

from me to the computer and then back

as just come out of sur

to have visitors now actually.” She glances back down at something and then to me before announcing and pointing towards the elevators. “Go down the hall that way till you hit the elevators, then take it to the fourth floor. Room 411 sh

little girl holding her mother’s hand standing directly in front of me, so I can’

and sighing loudly. “Some people.” She mumbles loud enou

ch them walk onto the elevator and leave me standing alone there. As I grow impa

e arrow sign shows up before smiling, and murmuring under my breath, “

My mother always told me, “Get out of your comfort zone, otherwise you will never realize your true potential. Staying in this town, you will never get a taste fo

ght. I smile and prepare myself for the worst before I open the door slowly and check if she is awake or n

ing in so quietly. I just didn’t know if mom would be sleeping or not.”

f you alone to chat while I run these stats over to the docto

e last night?” My mother’s wrinkles in her brow ar

eep me updated. I just found out how you were just a few mi

give me a hug, then you are going home to get some rest. I will be just fine in no time, so don’t

y, because then she forces me to look at her by saying, “Dani, it’s alright. I just had a bad spill. Everything alw

“Now go. Get some sleep. I won’t be going anywhere

e bills. That is the last thing she needs to be thinking about right now. If dad w