Chapter 1 - She's Gone?

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"Danielle Anastasia Bradley you get here right now!"

"What do you want mom?"

"Clean the dishes in the kitchen, then clean the house and then make sure you make dinner for yourself or whatever. I'm going out for a few drinks and won't be home until later."

"Right sure..few drinks at 5pm. Okay, sure mom."

"Bye Dani, love you."

"Bye mom, love you too."

Welcome to my life. As you can see already my name is Danielle but most people call me Dani. I live in Oklahoma with my mom, my dad left when he found out my mom was pregnant. What an asshole, right? It hasn't been easy for us over the past few years, with dad not being around mom worked as hard as she could for us so she could pay bills and buy food but it was a struggle. I had to leave school at 16 so I could get a job to help. Mom became ill a few months ago, she's always been a drinker, a heavy one at that, but since finding out she had liver cancer, well, I haven't seen her around as much because she's always out. Every night she's out with 'friends' but who knows what she's doing. I love her and all, she's my mom and she's all the family I have, but she's brought it upon herself and still won't stop no matter how much I tell her too. Urgh, I just wish she'd be okay. Anyway, I guess I better start cleaning and cook some food.

*2 hours later*

"Hey everyone, so for today's video I'm going to do a cover of Year 3000 by Busted. Hope you guys enjoy it. Don't forget to like, comment and subscribe for more videos!"

After a few takes I finished up the recording, edited the video and rendered it and uploaded it to my YouTube channel. I was quite well known on there, I had over 2 million subscribers and all I uploaded was covers, or my own songs, sometimes vlogs and sometimes just different gameplay. The fans seem to love it, they call themselves Daniators and it seems to have stuck. Its quite cute in a way. I try upload 2-3 times a week to keep them happy and it works quite well at the moment, but with mom getting worse, it's getting harder each day.

*phone rings*

"Hello?"
"Hi, is this Danielle Bradley?"
"Uhm yeah, why? Who is this?" I ask confused
"This is Officer James Chan, I work in the police department, we had a call from one of the local bars about a lady who was very over the limit and passed out. She was taken to hospital and we've traced that you're her daughter?"
"Moms in hospital? Where? How?"
"She's been taken due to the large intake of alcohol, she should be okay, we just need to know if there's anything medically wrong with her or if she's on tablets or anything."
"Oh, well, she was diagnosed with liver cancer a while ago. She drinks because she says it helps. I told her not to but she won't listen to me."
"Liver cancer? She should of stopped drinking. Listen, we have your address so we'll come get you and take you to the hospital to see her. But as far as I'm aware, it isn't looking good. Is there anyone else we can contact?"
"No, my dad left and moved back to England before I was born, there is no other family."
"Right, okay. Well, we'll be on our way over to come and take you to see her."
"Okay, thanks. Bye."
"Bye."
"Bye." I ended the call teary eyed.

Is this the end for my mom? Why is she so stupid to continue drinking! I told her not to but she never listens and now she's in hospital again. What will I do if anything happens? I can't afford to live here alone, I couldn't live without her, she's my mom. She's the only family that I know.

*30 minutes later*

"Danielle, it's Office James, from the phone? Can you let me in please?" He asked.
I went and let him in, he looked at me with my teary eyes and red cheeks.
"It's going to be okay, Danielle."
"But what if it isn't? I have no one else."
"Not even your dad?" He asked
"My dad left 23 years ago before I was born. Never has he called or messaged me, said happy birthday to me or been here for me. I don't even know his name or where he lives in England, for all I know he could have other kids."
"Right, well, we best be on our way and I'll try to sort something." He said

I locked the door as we left and jumped in the passenger seat. It was a long drive to the hospital, even with the flashing blues lights and sirens, it still seemed like such a long journey. We eventually arrived 45 minutes later and I got taken to the room my mom was in. She laid there, so still. She looked so pale and lifeless just laying there with the covers over her. The wires and machines attached to her, it was horrible. But what was I to do? The machines beeped constantly, but getting slower each time.

"Danielle? Danielle?"
"Wha?"
"I'm Nurse Hazel, I'm sorry but you need to go and wait in the waiting room. Something is wrong and we need to try and fix it so could you please leave? I'll get you as soon as I can."
I continued to look at my mom, teary eyed, I walked to the waiting room and waited for what seemed like forever.
"Danielle?"
"Yes?" I asked
"I'm sorry, but your mom, she didn't make it. She's gone. I'm so sorry." Nurse Hazel explained
"What?" I burst into tears. The only family I'd ever had in my life and she's gone. She's gone because of the stupid drinking. Because she wouldn't listen. And now, now I'm alone. I have no one.
"It must be hard, I know, you can see her if you wish to pay respect and say goodbye, but the doctor won't let you in there for too long." She said
I nodded and followed her back down to the room. She held the door open and walked in with me.
There she was. My mom. My only family. Gone forever. She looked even paler than before, her long brown hair covering her face. Her beautiful green eyes, I'll never get to see them again.
"Can I have a moment please?" I asked
"Sure sweetie." She said as she left.

I sat down on the chair next to the bed, I held my moms hand as much as I could. She was actually gone. Forever. I burst into tears hugging my moms hands.

"I'm so sorry mom. You're in a better place now. You'll never be in pain again and hopefully you're happy up there. I love you. You know that right? I always have and always will love you. You were always there for me, you were always proud of me and so helpful. You tried to give me everything, even though it was a struggle. You tried so hard and even still you've been taken away from me and from this world. But God takes everyone for a reason, right? He must've needed you for something. I love you mom." I cried more into her hand

"Danielle, I'm sorry but you have to go now. We have to prepare your mom for the funeral. Officer James is waiting outside for you." She said
"Okay.." I sniffled

I left the room and walked back to the waiting room. It was kind of him to wait and help me out, I guess he knew it was hard for me. I walked over and hugged him, still crying and he hugged me back an sat me down on a chair.

"Danielle, I have some news. I don't know if you'll like it or not."
"What is it?" I asked
"We found your father in England and have got in contact with him. He said you can go and live with him in England until you get back on your feet again. He also said you have a brother."
"You found my dad? Wait! A brother? I have a brother?" I asked shocked
"Apparently so. And Danielle, because you have no one else here, myself and some others are going to help pay for the funeral for your mom. We'll help you sell the house and get the money and then I'm going to go to England with you, help you meet another Officer out there that I know and then they're going to take over and help." He said
"Oh, are you serious? Thank you so much."
"Now come on, lets get you home so you can rest. I'll come over tomorrow with a colleague so we can start the clearing process."
"Thank you." I said

With that, we left the hospital and Officer James dropped me home.

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