shed over to her daughter who she had s

d her tightly, tearing u

she said, hugging

ry," she

pulled away from the hug, "Wh

livia said, turni

ooked into her eyes and said, "Olivia, I am your mother. If you don't talk

ing. You worry too

ering her. She got up and sat on the garden bench, adjusting close enough to her daughter. She w

she said softly, her voice

to tell her. She reached into her pocket, broug

de table in the living

" she sai

pay, Mom? I am sad that we're not rich, I am sad that you have to go through thes

t a deep sense of sadness and helplessness, wishing she could shield her daughter from such worri

forcing a smile, "Liv, we're not alone, we have Aunt Sarah and G

and there seems to be no way out of the situation. I feel useless knowing that

o, Olivia? You're just thirteen for God's sake, Olivia!" She

ears, withdrawing he

you're too young to bother about this," She continued, "I appreciate your concern, my precious daughter bu

r mom tightly, and whisper

lled away from the hug and kissed her daught

t crimson rosebush, thriving against a backdrop of lush greenery.

ng healthy and be

mily nodded in a

a testament to nature's care, but she could

n nearby and tenderly showered t

into the house,

ivia asked

prefer to the watering myself so I'

almost forgot you have

to work so I'd earn some

e said, making her

d stored it in the refrigerator for Olivia. Her return to work was approaching, but she managed to prev

d, admiring hers

noticed that Olivia was fast asleep. She turned off the TV and carefully carried her

ily mouthed, gesturin

he sai

ou ask?" H

e replied, uncertaint

m then, " he said, ret

er on it, but something about the meeting felt different. Her heart raced a li

tivity or perceived a lack of

d on the door, maki

his bass voi

in anticipation. The conversation inside was a blur of words a

he couldn't quite grasp the gravity of the situa

ion, and then to a creeping sense of sadness. She tried her best to

office. Her colleagues glanced at her with curious expre

post, the tears she held