Not Always What It Seems

Coming To An Understanding

I woke up, extremely starving and weak. I looked over to see Mike asleep yet. I pulled myself out of bed and steadily walked out to reach the stairs. I grabbed the railing and walked down as best as I could. I felt sick and hungry all at once.

"Good morning, mom." Charlotte said walking towards me.

All I could do was smile. Charlotte hugged me tightly, but I was too weak to return her gesture.

I walked over the the fridge, my hands shaking, "do you need help?" Charlotte asked me.

I nodded my head slowly, going to sit down at the island. I let a tear out as I put my head in my hands and pulled my fingers through my hair.

"Here, eat this for now. I'll get some oatmeal started, okay?" Charlotte offered.

I picked my head up and looked between my fingers to see my hair in a chunk. I gasped as I played with it.

"Shit." I mumbled to myself.

Charlotte watched as her mother fiddled with her hair, hearing Mike walking down the stairs. Carrie set her hair to the side of the table and picked at the bananas.

"Good morning, ba....." Mike said until he saw the hair.

Mike froze and looked at Charlotte, unsure of what to say.

"I'm cooking oatmeal for mama." Charlotte said.

"Don't pretend you didn't see it. You guys can say something, you know." I told them. "Are we just going to pretend I'm not sick?"

"Babe, don't." Mike said.

"Why? I am sick, Mike. I could die in weeks, months....If this doesn't work, I will die. Okay?!" I said slamming my hands on the table, getting up and walking away.

I went upstairs and locked myself in the bathroom. I cried, letting it all out.