Libby and Matthew ✘

FIVE | MONEY ISSUES

It is currently ten o'clock in the morning, and I'm driving on the main highway towards the hospital. I asked Seth earlier if he wanted to go and see mum, and of course his answer was yes.

"I'm going to tell mummy what I painted the other day," Seth says excitedly behind me. "Hopefully the birdie doesn't tell her," he adds as he glances out the window.

"I'm sure the birdie won't this time," I say trying not to laugh. We're only a few minutes away now, and I let him know.

"Oh could we play a game before we get there?" he asks me.

"Sure, you pick the game," I say as I watch for the turn off.

"Hmm okay. I spy with my little eye something... green," Seth says as he watches the cars go pass us.

"Something green.." I mumble glancing around us. "Is it the trees?" I ask seeing as those were the only green things around here at the moment.

"No!" he cries giggling.

"Um your top?" I ask next, remembering he is wearing his green lantern t-shirt.

"Nope, try again Libby," he says as I spot the turn off a head of us. I keep my eyes open for something green, as I move over to the other lane. "Do you need a hint?" he asks trying not to laugh, I nod my head.

"Yes please, this is a hard one," I admit, still looking around while paying attention to the road.

"It's about to go pass us," I look on my right to see a green car zoom by us.

"A car Seth, how did you even see it all the way back there?" I ask him but he just laughs as I turn into the parking lot.

"I win!" he declares as he un-clicks his seatbelt as soon as I've come to a stop.

"Yes you did buddy, oh don't forget your drawing," I add noticing the paper still in the backseat as I get out. I fix my top that I'm wearing while I wait for him.

"Do you think mummy is going to want to see us today?" he asks me softly, taking my hand as we cross the road.

"I'm sure she will," I tell him and he grins. "I hope."

- - -

"How is everything going?" Sally asks when we make it up to my mothers room on the top floor.

"Good, Seth's just giving her a picture he painted for her," I explain as I watch him by the seat near the door. It's a small room with just enough space for a single bed, two chairs and a small table in the corner of the room.

"Do you like it mum? I painted it just for you," I hear Seth say and smile when my mother leans over and hugs him.

"It's beautiful Seth, I'll ask the doctors to pin it up on the wall," she says and I notice the colour back in her cheeks.

"She's looking better," I say referring to my mother.

"Oh yes she has been doing better since last week, but she still has her days," Sally informs me giving me a sad smile. "She'll be a lot better once she gets the treatment," she goes on.

"If." Sally frowns as she turns to look at me. "If she gets the treatment, I can't afford it Sally," I admit as I watch my brother laugh at something mums said. They both look so a like those two, and so happy.

"Oh Libby, what did doctor Dreamy say?" she asks me, and I notice my mother look over at us.

I stand up and walk over to my mother.