Chapter 1
1176 Words
Rita adjusted the insulated delivery bag on the back of her scooter and glanced at the paper bag resting beside it. “I will take my leave now.” She beamed that lasting smile.
The restaurant owner had slipped the leftovers into her hands just before closing.
"Take it home," She said. "Throwing it away would be a waste." The owner was fully aware of Rita’s struggles; it was obvious she was going for another job once she left.
A small smile found its way onto Rita's face. “Thanks so much, Miss Gladys”
Deep down, she knew her brother, Daniel, would be happy.
Her mother hadn't eaten since morning either; those leftovers were like a lifesaver to her.
With a relieved sigh, she left the restaurant and rode her scooter home.
She parked outside the small house and reached for the paper bag.
Then….A scream tore through the afternoon.
"Victor! Please stop!" Her mother's voice.
Rita's smile vanished. The paper bag slipped from her fingers as she rushed toward the front door.
"Dad!" The door flew open.
The living room looked as though it had beea storm had hit it is the money?" He yelled, his eyes brimming with fury like a hungry Lion.
Cushions had been ripped open. Their old television lay face down on the floor. Clothes, books, and kitchen utensils were scattered everywhere as though a hurricane had swept through the house.
Grace was trying to stop Victor despite struggling to breathe, while Daniel sat helplessly in his wheelchair, gripping the armrests so tightly that his knuckles had turned white.
"Dad!" Rita cried, rushing between them. "Stop it!"
Victor slowly turned to face her.
"So..." he sneered. "The hardworking daughter is finally home."
Rita glanced around the room, her eyes glistening.
"Why are you doing this?" she asked, her voice breaking. "We've done nothing to you. We're your family."
"Family?" Victor let out a bitter laugh. "Family doesn't hide money from me. I need money to survive; how dare you treat your father like that!"
"We're not hiding anything."
"You got paid today, right?" He smirked, taking a step closer to Rita.
Rita met his eyes despite the fear creeping into her heart.
"I worked day and night for that money. Mom needs her inhalers. Daniel needs his medication. We haven't even bought groceries yet. I’m not giving you any money today!"
Victor closed the distance between them.
Without warning… Smack!
The slap echoed through the house.
Rita stumbled backward, one hand flying to her burning cheek.
Grace gasped. "Rita!"
Daniel's face darkened. "You monster! She gave you money two days ago!"
Victor ignored them both.
He pointed at Daniel.
"If your sister won't hand over that paycheck..." His voice became dangerously calm. "I will make your crippled brother pay for it instead."
Daniel instinctively tightened his grip on the wheels of his chair.
"Leave me out of this."
"No!" Rita hurriedly stepped in front of him, shielding him with her body.
Her breathing became uneven.
She knew her father well enough to recognize when he meant every word.
Tears blurred her vision as she slowly reached into her bag.
Her fingers wrapped tightly around the worn envelope.
That money represented weeks of skipped meals...
Sleepless nights...
And every ounce of hope she had left.
She held onto it for a few seconds longer, silently begging her father to change his mind.
He didn't.
With trembling hands, Rita finally placed the envelope in his palm.
Victor counted the money without the slightest trace of guilt.
Only after he was satisfied did he turn and walk toward the door.
Before leaving, he looked over his shoulder.
"You better don’t stress me next time"
The door slammed shut behind him, and the house fell into a painful silence.
“I’m sorry, Rita. I married wrong!” Grace cried out.
However, Rita wiped her tears and brought the leftovers in, pretending not to hear her mother. “Mom, I got this from work. Let’s eat first”
After staying hungry all day, they sat together, pushing the mess Victor caused aside and focusing on eating. Rita only had 3 bites when she received a call for another delivery shift.
“You guys can go ahead without me; I need to go now,” She muttered while struggling with the remnant food in her mouth as well as her shoelace.
“Be careful!” Daniel's voice rang out with worry. He never wanted to be a burden to Rita; he tried to work to support the family. Unfortunately, he fell from a rooftop while working at a construction site, and since then, he was unable to work. Not only that, but he also gave up on his dream to be a cybersecurity expert.
****
The afternoon traffic was heavier than usual.
Rita rode her scooter through the crowded streets, mentally reviewing the next delivery address.
Then something caught her attention.
A tall man in an expensive black suit wandered into the middle of the road.
He wasn't looking at the traffic. He simply stood there, frowning as though trying to remember where he was.
A deafening horn blared as a speeding truck was racing straight toward him.
"Watch out!" Rita abandoned her scooter and sprinted forward.
She grabbed the stranger with every ounce of strength she had.
Both of them crashed onto the pavement just as the truck thundered past.
The man stared at her blankly.
His lips moved slightly.
"I..." Before he could finish, his body suddenly stiffened.
He collapsed.
"Sir!"
Panic flashed across Rita's face.
People quickly gathered around them while someone called an ambulance.
At the hospital, doctors rushed the unconscious man into the emergency room.
Rita waited outside until another man in a gray suit came running down the corridor.
"Mr. Hart!" The anxious voice echoed through the hallway.
Relieved that someone had come, Rita quietly turned to leave.
"Miss!" The suited man hurried after her.
"You saved my boss. Please, have my card and let us know how you want to be compensated." He held out a brown and blue linen card.
Rita smiled politely and shook her head. "I only did what anyone else would have done."
Before he could stop her again… She disappeared into thin air.
Several hours later...
The stranger slowly opened his eyes.
The first thing he saw was a white ceiling.
Then a familiar face.
"Mr. Hart." Michael let out a long breath of relief.
"You finally woke up."
Before Donald could respond, the door opened.
The attending physician entered, carrying a medical report.
His expression was unusually serious. "Mr. Hart..." He paused, then he continued after a deep breath.
"After conducting several examinations, we've discovered a tumor in your brain."
Silence settled over the room.
The doctor's next words landed like a hammer. "I'm afraid it has reached an advanced stage."
He paused before speaking the sentence no one wanted to hear.
"Based on its progression... even with treatment, you may have only six months left to live." The doctor dropped the bombshell.
- Writer
