Chapter Forty-four*

Chapter Forty-four*

An Upstate Escape

"'Mom, your cough is getting really bad, ah!" I told Mom from the kitchen where I was busy cooking our lunch. He didn't answer right away because he was busy coughing and coughing.

Until I couldn't stop it anymore and I put down the spoon I was holding to check on him, I also brought water.

And since the house we rent is only a small one, I am only a few steps in front of the pallet where Mom is sleeping.

She is very thin, due to the cancer that she has been dealing with for several years and even if I want to treat her, my income as a vegetable sales lady is not enough.

I only get paid two hundred eighty pesos per day and that's enough for almost our daily food, if I can save anything -

"ARIANA!" It's really good and I was able to hand the water I was holding to Mom before I was surprised by the loud shout of Uncle Armando, my step-father.

"ARIANA!" He shouted again and just by the tone of his voice I'm sure he's drunk again!

I just brea