It could be worse (a short story)

It could be worse

Sometimes, when you're having a bad day someone might say "It could be worse." to try and make you feel better. What if it got to the point, when it is the worst? What would the worst be?

"You okay Mia?" My friend Ally asked, while we walked to school together. "Yeah... I guess I'm okay..." I'm not really. I'm really sobbing on the inside, but not because of sadness.
My mom is a lung cancer patient. Smoking a pack and a half a day, bit her in the ass one day in her sleep. Death was gripping her limbs and saying he wasn't going to let her go, but life disagreed and pulled her back.
It's been 4 months since the first time we went to the hospital, and today she's going to get a CAT scan. The doctor said that she may be free to come home, or that she might need further examination. But he mostly said that she would be fine, and home should be the one thing we look forward to.
So like I said, I'm not necessarily sad, just worried. "Are you sure? The expression on your face is not a normal one. Even with you." She exclaimed with an ill belief look on her face. "I'm just worried about my mom. She's gonna get checked out today, and if she's good she gets to come home. But if they find something, she can't leave." I confessed, looking gloomy.
"Well I hope she's gonna be okay. I'm sure she'll be okay Mia, plus, it could always be worse." She stated as we split ways to our lockers.

It wasn't even 3rd period yet when the announcements said "Mia Jackson, to the front office please. Someone is here to pick her up." Hearing them call me that early in the school day made my nerves go crazy and a knot grew in my stomach. But I got up and left after putting my stuff away in my locker.
I walked to the office, where my grandma was standing. It was unusual because usually it was my step dad picking me up.

After we left the school, moments later we turned into the parking lot of the hospital mom went to. I got out of the car looking at my grandma with an eyebrow raised. "Hey, grandma, what's going on? Mom isn't scheduled till later tonight." I said. Grandma just continued to look forward as we walked, "something happened... she wanted you here now." She had a sour face, almost like she was gonna cry.
Mom and grandma were super close, they were always there for each other, and we only moved here to be close to her. I could see the look on her face, meant something wasn't right. Something went wrong.

Me and grandma walked to the room mom was in. "Hi baby girl..." mom was laying in a hospital bed. She had a sad smile on her lips. As I approached the bedside, the sight of her paleness came into better view. "Mommy..." I said with a concerned and sad tone, "what's happening to you...?" I finished.
"I'm dying sweetie..." my grandma immediately walked out in tears at my mothers words. But grandma wasn't the only one who began to cry, mine and mom's eyes filled with tears. "No... they said you were going to be fine... they promised..." my voice cracking as I spoke. "I'm sorry... they were wrong..." she sadly responded, "but you have to promise me this one thing..."
"Yea momma...?" I said trying to get as many words from her, like a dying animal greedily sucking the last drops of water in a hot desert.
"Know that it could always be worse... and you will live on..." she finished.

That night I watched my mom die. I ended up promising her that I would live on for her. So here I am, sitting under a tree at my old elementary school, three months later.
My moms death was a terrible thing for me, still is. I will never forget the way she laid there smiling with her eyes open, when I realized she was already dead when I tried to continue the conversation we were having. I miss her, to death.
It's getting late so I should probably get home. I got up and started walking to the edge of the street looking both ways before crossing.

I swear the road was empty.

The screeching of cars sounded and I turned my hea