CHAPTER THREE: IN THE GRIP OF HOPE AND DESPAIR.

“Everyone please step aside!”. “She has now regained consciousness,” Laura’s boss ushered the others.

It was all disorienting as she gradually rose and noticed that she had passed out in her superior’s office.

She used her hands to support herself, but they were shaking partially. 

When she looked around the room, her colleagues fixed her with such an incredulous look that she almost felt like a ghost.

The images of what took place at work not long ago started to come back to her memories just as they began to escalate the fear that was building in her heart.

In a fit of rage and disbelief, a contemptuous glare was directed at her boss before Laura stormed out of the room without a second look.

Laura, emotionally exhausted and struggling with dizziness, limped to her work section and quietly packed her things.

It was almost as if each item she stuffed into her bag was an artifact from her previous ill-treatment in that organization.

As heaviness overtook her, Laura walked towards the door only to see the security guard hurriedly walking in her direction with a kind of look that expressed both concern and regret.

He approached her, his voice low and apologetic. “I’m sorry, Miss Laura,” he murmured, his gaze shifting uncomfortably. “I tried to warn you.” His words hung in the air, deepening the ache in her chest.

She stared at him, the weight of betrayal settled around her as she realized how much had been hidden from her and how she’d been the last to know. 

With a quiet nod, she forced herself to keep moving, her heart heavy with hurt and disbelief.

She strode to the gate, desperate to leave and never look back. 

As she scanned the road for a cab, she spotted a vehicle pulling up and rushed toward it, her voice urgent. “Please! I need to get home!”.

The driver nodded, noticing her unsteady frame. “Come in, ma’am,” he said, helping her with the door as her vision blurred with dizziness. 

Once inside, Laura whispered, “Please, let’s go,” her voice was a quiet plea as tears welled up again. She could hardly believe she’d lost her job over a false accusation.

The car ride was quiet, but Laura's mind was too agitated to enjoy it. She shut her eyes, hoping that when she opens them again this would have all been a bad dream.

The driver glanced back at her through the mirror and having assessed her silence, asked, “I hope you are okay, ma’am.”

“Yes, fine,” she replied stiffly, fighting back tears, still not wanting to speak. Her heart felt like it was shattering into pieces.

***

At last, the vehicle stopped in front of her residence, and Laura felt a weight lift off her chest. She struggled with her handbag, clumsily and incapacitated, before managing to find a few notes for the driver.

Releasing the driver’s hand, she stepped out of the car with a small mountain of things she had in her arms, work related and quite obvious to be heavy to her after a long day.

She walked towards the front door and saw that it was slightly opened. She felt something unpleasant across her back. Her heart started racing and fear came over her.

For a second, she lingered, closing her eyes and inhaling deeply to suppress the surge of panic. Then, she extended her battered hands and pushed the door.

As she advanced inward, the stillness of the house compelled her to slow their movement. Laura’s eyes remained alert and passive in the dim light, discerning every flicker of motion that warranted her careful approach.

The house was never this quiet. 

Laura walked to her mom’s room and found it empty, it was unusual for her to be out this late. “Mom! Mom!” she called, her voice filled with fear.

She hurriedly searched the rooms again but found no one. Hands shaking, she pulled her phone from her bag and dialed her mother’s number.

After a few rings, a small, familiar voice answered, “Sis… Sis! It’s me. We’re still at the hospital,” her little brother’s voice quivered on the other end, triggering Laura’s memory of his earlier call. He had mentioned that their mother had fallen ill.

“Oh no… I’m so sorry,” she whispered, overwhelmed by everything. She forced herself to focus. “What happened to Mom? Is she okay?” she asked, her heart pounding as she headed back out of the house.

“The doctor said it’s critical, and he needs to talk to you,” her brother replied, his voice trembling.

“Stay calm, I’m coming,” Laura said, trying to steady her voice as she waved down a cab and gave the address to the driver. “New York Presbyterian Hospital, please. It’s urgent!”.

The driver turned to give her a skeptical look. “'Ma'am, you are going to have to settle 100 bucks,” he said without any emotion.

“Just drive, please. I’ll pay,” she insisted, exhausted by his demand. As the car started, she leaned her head against the window, lost in a fog of despair, staring blankly at the passing lights.

***

Shortly after they arrived at the hospital, she quickly reached out for her bag to hand over the fare. 

As Laura took the money out, someone rushed past her, grabbed the cash out of her hand, and ran away into the darkness.

“No! Stop, please!” Laura cried, stumbling forward in vain.

The driver looked away, indifferent to her plight, only caring for his payment. 

Furious and devastated, she handed him what little cash she had left before storming into the hospital. 

She ignored the stares from people in the lobby as she went in.

“Laura! Laura!” Daniel’s voice echoed through the reception area.

Laura immediately turned and saw him rushing towards her. 

She hugged him tightly, her voice shaking. “Whe - Where’s Mom? What happened?”.

“Miss Laura Wells?” A voice interrupted her thoughts and she spun around to see a doctor dressed in scrubs, and a mask over his face. 

He waved at her to come along and she followed him through one of the corridors into a small room that had low lighting.

There, lying on a bed was her mother, thin and pale. Laura dashed to her and grasped her hand.

“Mom, I can’t believe this. I am so sorry. I had no idea. ” She spoke tearfully. 

“It’s fine baby,” her mother said, her voice normal but low, to soothe her. “I will be okay. Don’t worry.”

But Laura’s heart sank. “Mom, what’s going on?” She asked, desperate to understand.

The doctor stepped forward, his tone grave. “Your mother has leukemia. It’s an advanced case,” he explained. “To start treatment, we’ll need a $1,000 deposit.”

Laura’s mind reeled, her vision blurred with tears. 

“No… how… when did this happen?” She asked in fear as her knees felt weak and she gripped her mother’s hand, the weight of the day crushing her as she struggled to process the news.