Chapter 2: Holding On

But the morning sun came in through the flimsy drapes of Aurora Bennett's bedroom and it brought no heat.

Her heart continued pounding from the dream, and she lay quietly, gazing at the ceiling.

Aurora, "you will not have to weep forever.

The man's voice echoed in her ears, soothing and calming, like he had just said it.

She had longed for him for years.

They sometimes walked through endless flower fields.

At times they sat under a big oak tree, watching a quiet lake.

At other times, they just looked at the stars together, quietly.

She could never see his face quite clearly.

But each of her dreams left her with the same strong sense of security.

He was always an outsider.

Until last night.

He had spoken her name to her last night.

Slowly, Aurora sat up, with her hand on her chest.

Who was there in the empty room, she whispered.

“Aahh!” was the sound that awakened her from her dream, a gentle cough from the living room.

"Mum."

She hurried out of her room.

Grace Bennett was already awake, struggling to cook breakfast but looking weary and pale.

Why are you standing Mum? Aurora hurried up and very gently removed the frying pan from her hands. You should be sleeping"

Grace smiled weakly.

I will get rusty if I lie down all day.

"You'll become stubborn."

I'm always dry humored!

Aurora could not not laugh.

The weight of her heart lifted from her shoulders.

She was finishing breakfast and Grace was at the little dining table watching her daughter move around the little kitchen.

“You didn't get much sleep since then, did you, Grace?”

Aurora shrugged.

"I had assignments."

“You say that every night, don't you?”

I've got a student of architecture in my class and sleep is not a course requirement.

Grace laughed, but she wasn't happy.

I'm concerned about you.

Aurora set her mother some toast and scrambled eggs.

“That should be my job to say that.”

Grace took Aurora's hand and squeezed it, as if to say, “What is up with you?”

“You've suffered enough on my behalf.”

As soon as she heard it, Aurora shook her head.

“Don't say please don't say it.”

When Father is not, say, "If my dad was here…"

Aurora's smile faded.

Beside the window was her father's framed photograph.

Daniel Bennett.

An industrious construction engineer.

Fifty years ago it was gone.

Yet, it seemed sometimes it never felt real.

Grace realized that her daughter was silent and quickly changed the topic.

Let's go soon; it's hospital at ten.

Aurora nodded.

"I know."

---

City Heart Hospital had the ambiance of disinfectant and tranquility.

Hospitals were never a favorite place for Aurora.

Too many faces that show concern.

There are too many prayers that have not been answered.

She assisted her mother to go into the cardiologist's office and then sat down next to her.

Several minutes later, Dr. Harrison came in carrying several medical reports.

If Aurora could read his expression, she knew he was in trouble.

Gently, he said, "Mrs. Bennett, your heart valve has been deteriorating faster than we had predicted from your recent scans.

Grace's gaze dropped.

"I see."

We are at a time when drugs are no longer going to be the sole solution.

Aurora's fingers instinctively gripped her mother's hand.

What is the meaning of that?

The doctor sighed.

Your mom will need to have an operation.

Silence pervaded the room.

Aurora blinked.

"Surgery?"

"Yes."

"Is... is it dangerous?

While there are risks with every heart surgery, there are even more risks if it is delayed.

Aurora swallowed hard.

What will be the cost of this?

The doctor handed him a piece of paper.

He picked it up without difficulty, Aurora did too.

Her vision blurred.

The total cost came to her a sum of money that she had never before seen in her life.

This was not only impossible, but it was out of the question.

It was unimaginable.

“There has to be something else.”

"I'm afraid there isn't."

Grace's hand lightly caressed her daughter's arm.

"It's alright."

"No, it isn't."

"Aurora..."

We'll raise the funds.

Despite his efforts, her voice shook.

"We always do."

The doctor looked at them sympathetically.

Here we go again "I know this is hard, but take some time to think about it."

Then, Aurora nodded, and assisted her mother to leave the office.

Grace halted her steps in the hospital corridor as soon as they stepped inside.

"You don't have to carry this burden alone."

She looked at her, and her name was Aurora.

Who else are there?

Grace opened her mouth, but she couldn't speak.

Both were aware of the fact.

No wealthy relatives.

No inheritance.

No magic up the alley.

Just each other.

---

Aurora put her mother in a taxi and left home alone.

There was a lot of life at the university.

Coffee was shared with students and laughter was heard.

The parking lot was stocked with luxury cars.

Polished shoulders for designer handbags.

It was a different time than hers.

Her phone vibrated.

A message from the Finance Office.

**FINAL NOTICE**

If outstanding tuition is not paid within seventy two hours, the student will be automatically withdrawn from Kingsbridge University.

Aurora looked at the computer screen.

She was only able to pay her tuition via a scholarship.

If no payment of the balance is made,

All that she had strived for would be gone.

She stood against a tree and slowly dropped down to the ground.

She cried uncontrollably and shed tears that she had been suppressing.

What should I do? she whispered.

She couldn't stop attending school.

So she could not leave her mother.

She never had the power to make money out of thin air.

For the first year in years…

Aurora Bennett was utterly powerless.

She cleared the sweat from her face before anyone could see, then she stood up.

It doesn't help to cry.

There was one more afternoon class, though.

Another night of shifts in the café.

Another opportunity to carry on as if all was well.

Despite the fact that she was about to see everything bitterness crack beneath her feet..