Episode 1
I took a deep breath before opening the door as I heard my mother's cries. It's the first of the month...I know exactly why she's crying.
I walked in and held her tight, placing her head on my chest, "Mommy please, stop worrying, all this stress is bad for your health!"
"They are going to evict us Aurelia, they are going to evict us!"
"They threaten us every month, and each month before the month ends we always get them the money."
"How long are we going to keep living like this?! Your father works three jobs, you're working two jobs and still...you guys should have just let me die when I got sick!"
"Mama! Stop, don't say that. You beat an aggressive form of cancer. Please stop saying that, dad and I need you...I need you!"
"I'm sorry my darling, I'm so sorry, I hate that we're in this mess because of my medical bills, I just wish there was something I can do. I need to get a job."
I took off my coat and allowed myself to fall into the couch," Here we go again."
"Think about it, when I get a job, we can use my income to help pay the rent."
"No Mama, no! Dad and I agreed that you are still recovering, you need to rest."
"I can't rest watching both of you suffer like this."
"Things will get better Mama, I promise, I applied to all of the hospitals in the city, very soon I'm sure they'll get back to me."
"I pray they do."
"Let me guess you haven't eaten."
"I don't have an appetite, I'll go make you and your father something."
"No Mama, you rest, I'll cook tonight."
The moment I stepped into the kitchen my heart sank. And tears began to flood my eyes. I dared myself not to make a sound. I can not allow my mother to see me crying.
The truth is there isn't enough money for the rent this month, there isn't enough money for the bills...there isn't enough money for anything!"
It doesn't matter how scared or worried I am, my mother can never see me cry...it will kill her.
I heard a ping on my phone, and jumped to grab it hoping it was a reply from the hundreds of high paying nursing jobs I've applied for, but instead it was my boss asking me to come see him in the morning.
A strong wave of nausea hit me, "Am I getting fired?"
That night I did everything possible to fall asleep, but nothing would stop the impending feeling of doom attacking my mind.
I laid there, staring at the ceiling, which was on the verge of falling apart due to all the water leaks and damage," God, please help us. I am drowning...we are drowning!"
My alarm woke me up, and the moment my eyes opened, I instantly felt sick to my stomach. I can't afford to lose this job.
I got ready for what could possibly be one of the worst days of my life.
"Good morning, sunshine!"
"Please not today, Elias."
"Let me give you a ride to work."
"No thanks, the bus is almost here."
"Geez, did you get any sleep last night? You look horrible."
"Thank you Elias, that is exactly what I needed to hear. Look, I don't want to be late for work, what do you want?"
"See if you accepted my marriage proposal, you wouldn't have to work. I'll take care of you and your whole family. But no, you want to play hard to get and be picky."
I stopped walking and turned to look at Elias. He is handsome, his family owns almost all the apartment buildings in the neighborhood...maybe...maybe I should...eww no, I can't allow myself to stoop that low, even if I am desperate.
Every time I see you, you're with a different woman. I'm actually surprised you're alone this morning."
Before I could say another word, a girl who looked like she stepped right out of a magazine, got out of Elias's car.
"Never mind, I spoke too soon."
Elias held my hand to stop me from walking away, "Listen, I told you, these girls mean nothing to me, it's you that I want. Just give me a chance."
"No, because if I do, you'll take the one thing I have left to myself."
"What?"
"My heart, I am already broken in so many ways, Elias, I won't survive a heartbreak."
I walked away and quickly put in my headphones, trying to ignore him yelling and pleading for a chance.
When I got to work, it didn't matter how many deep breaths and positive affirmations I told myself, I couldn't shake off the feeling that I was about to be fired.
"Aurelia, please come in and have a seat."
I held my hands tightly together to prevent them from shaking.
"Aurelia, you are truly one of our best nurses and..."
I quickly went on my knees, "Sir please don't fire me, please, I need this job. My family is struggling, and without this..."
My boss stood up and helped me sit back down," Wait you think you're getting fired? What? We would never fire you, we love you! You're literally our best nurse."
"Oh, I thought..."
"Well, you've been asking for overtime for a while now, and I honestly feel terrible that we haven't been able to approve you for overtime hours, but there's an opportunity for you in Italy. It will be for 9 months to a year."
"Italy?"
"Yes, Italy, there's an agency that scouts nurses from US hospitals to complete temporary assignments aboard. Yesterday I got a call and they specifically requested for you."
"Me? How?"
"I'm not sure how, but maybe one of the patients recommended you. Either way, the pay is 300k."
The room began to spin, "three...three...three hundred thousand dollars?!"
"Yes, and they will cover all your expenses while you're there."
"This has to be some sort of scam."
"I assure Aurelia, I've done my research. This agency is legit."
"Italy for almost a year?"
"I know you're worried about your mother, but I also know how badly you need the money to take care of her and your father. Go, and when you come back, Tessa would have retired, and I will gladly promote you to take her place."
"Oh my God Sir, thank you so much!"
"You deserve it and more. I'll send over the information they sent me, look through it and think about it, alright?"
"Yes sir, thank you."
After my shift, I rushed home to tell my mother and father everything.
When I got there, the house was empty. I searched for my phone and I realized that I left it in my locker at the hospital.
There was a note on the kitchen counter.
"My darling, your father fainted at work. I've been calling you, but it goes straight to voicemail. He was taken to Sinai hospital, please meet us there."
I wanted to rush out the door, but I could feel my heart rate slowing down...I don't know how much more of life I can take at this point.
