Emily
I woke to the soft sound of sniffling. Blinking away the fog of sleep, I turned my head to see Mom sitting beside my hospital bed, her eyes red-rimmed and puffy.
"Mom?" I croaked, my voice still rough from disuse.
She startled, quickly wiping at her eyes. "Oh, Emily, sweetheart. You're awake. How are you feeling?"
I tried to sit up, wincing as my muscles protested. Mom was there in an instant, helping me adjust the bed so I could recline comfortably. "I'm okay," I said, though the words felt hollow even to my own ears. "Just tired, I guess."
Mom's face crumpled, fresh tears welling in her eyes. "Oh, honey. I'm so sorry. I've been a terrible mother lately, haven't I? I've been so caught up in my own life, I haven't been there for you like I should have been."
"What? No, Mom, tha
