310

9

    “Are you sure this is what you want, Amada? There are lots of health risks and you can get an infection that your body can’t fight off,” Bella asked while they were getting in her car. She had to think for a few days, but she realized that if Amada doesn’t get a procedure done, she could die. Even though something could go wrong, it could change her life for the better. She had already called the center to make an appointment two days ago. “Yeah, I’m sure,” she said, but she really wasn’t. “What are you getting?” Bella asked reluctantly. “Uhm… a tummy tuck, arm lift, liposuction, and breast reduction.” Bella gasped softly. “All of that? I’m not paying for all of that.” Amada shook her head. “I’m gonna use my inheritance.” She held up a debit card Bella didn’t even know she had. Whenever their mom died, she left them each an inheritance and Amada has been saving hers for years. “Amada, this is gonna be at least $100,000. You won’t even have half of it left.” Their mom was a psychiatrist, so she made good money. They each got $150,000 out of her bank account. “I know, but I can get a good job by next year. I’ll have enough to make a living.” Amada was absolutely sure about what she was doing. Bella sighed and nodded. She grabbed her phone and opened the GPS. When it opened, she typed, “Miami Plastic Surgery Center”.
    When they arrived at the center, they stepped up to the front counter. The secretary greeted them with a smile. Bella spoke first. “Hello, my name is Bella Stewart and I’m here with Amada Stewart.” She made a hand motion to acknowledge Amada “…And we have an appointment." “I.D.?” She asked, her smile unscathed. Bella was already prepared. She had been holding the card flat between her index and middle finger. She handed the card to the woman and she made a copy of it before handing it back. “What is your relationship to her?” She motioned towards Amada when she said “her”. “Oh, I’m her sister. But our mom passed, and our dad is in prison, so I have custody of her.” Bella told her a little more than she wanted to, but she was also incredibly nervous. The secretary was shocked. “Oh my, I’m so sorry.” Bella smiled slightly. “Thank you.” The secretary handed her a pen and a thin packet of papers held together by a staple. “If you could fill that out for me, the doctor will be with you shortly.” Then she walked through a door behind the desk.
    About 15 minutes passed and Bella had completely filled out the forms with Amada’s help. Right then, the surgeon poked his head through the door and called their names. They then followed him to his office. When they arrived in his office, he asked them to explain their situation. So, they did. They told him everything.
    Thankfully, he agreed to the surgery, but Amada wasn’t as happy as she should have been. When they got into the car, and left the center, Amada started to cry heavily. “Woah, Amada, what’s wrong?” Amada buried her face in her hands and tried to suppress her sobs. Bella took her hand and gently stroked Amada’s back in an attempt to calm her. “When you were talking to Dr. Montgomery…” she was trying to talk in between sniffles. “… about our life story, and about mom… It just made me think about what we used to be. I keep thinking to myself that one day mom is gonna come back. But she’s not going to. She’s gone and I miss her so much.” As Amada spoke, Bella’s eyes filled with tears as well. “Every time someone mentions it, I try to act like it doesn’t bother me anymore, but it does. It’s not fair that we won’t ever get to see her again because someone decided to play around with a loaded gun.” After that sentence, Amada broke down. “I just want our mom back.”