For years I grew up in unacceptable conditions by today’s standards.
In a house that barely had an income and 5 mouths to feed.
How did it all work out. My mom. She’s my rock. My pillar of strength and if you cut the sugar coated compliments, she is probably the only reason I’ve survived this long.
I promised her that one day I’d give her the life she deserved. I finally got the chance when I started working for Allen. I got the chance to take care of my family. That is a feeling you cannot replicate.
I’d always wondered what life would be like one day if she was gone. I just didn’t see it coming anytime soon. That all changed a little too quickly.
I remember the day like it was yesterday.
I was sitting on the roof with Danilo and we were joking around about where we would be if we won the lottery.
“Bro, I’m telling you, Copa Cabana beach! My house would be right there.”
“Yeah, yeah but what about all the other places in the world. Greece, Mexico even South Africa. You know what all these places have in common.”
“We haven’t been there.”
“Take it seriously! They all have such diverse culture. I want to learn about them one day. Not just from textbooks but in real life.”
“Me too bro, me too.”
We spent the rest of the afternoon there.
It was almost sun set when we were just about packed up and ready to head back to Rose’s place. I got a phone call from an unknown number.
“Uhm hello?", I asked.
“Hello, is this Carlos Sanchez?”
“Depends on who’s asking", I replied.
“I’m Doctor Ben Rogers from the Mountain View Medical centre. Your name is listed as the only emergency contact for Maria Sanchez.”
"I didn’t exactly know that, wait, is there something wrong?”
“Your mother is sick, Mr Sanchez.”
“Sick? What do you mean sick? Sick, how?”, I responded frantically.
“Mr Sanchez..."
“Stop calling me Mr Sanchez!”, I shouted in panick.
“Okay. Carlos. I need you to remain calm while I explain. Can you do that for me?”
“Fine", I agreed.
“Your mother is suffering from stage 4 undiagnosed Cervical cancer.”
In that moment my heart dropped. Everything else seemed to fall away and all I could hear was the doctors voice saying those words over and over again.
“Uhm, How long does she have?”
“About two months, I’m sorry Carlos.”
“No, save it. I should be the one that’s sorry."
I dropped the call. That was pretty much it. I had only two months left with my mother.
While most would say it’s a blessing to know how long you have, I was struggling to see the bright side at all.
YOU ARE READING
IF ROSES BLED INK
Novela Juvenil"Insert Synopsis", Imagine if I actually told you about the story before you read it.
