31
Ariel
Although hard, the convertible chair-bed underneath me provided something I’d lacked for quite some time—a place to sleep other than the sidewalk.
“Are you awake, love?” Mother’s voice came out scratchy. It had been that way for a while, worsening as time went by. I never thought anything of it as the rasp took over her once clear lilt. I definitely never thought it meant she had throat cancer. But that’s exactly what it had meant.
“I am, Mum.” I sat up, stretching my sore muscles. “Do you need anything?”
“A shower.” She smiled weakly. “And another ten years or so of life.”
She liked to joke around about her impending death a bit too much for my taste, but I forced a smile for her. “Don’t we all, Mum.” I got out of my little bed, which lay right next to her hospital bed. “I’
