Chapter 2 02

Chapter 02

Ovarian cancer. Within the span of two weeks, Cara knew all she needed to know about it, which is surprising because Cara is not the book type. It's not like it helps. What her mum really needs is money.

The heart monitor, the treatments, and everything else are already too much for a bartender at Geisel's. Now surgery? That is above her.

Cara stands up again, feeling the strength coming back to her legs as she walks up to her superhero, who is the one currently in need of saving.

"Hey, mum," she whispers, removing strands of brown hair covering her pale face. Cara envied her mum's hair-brown, shiny, and how it beautifully falls down her shoulders-compared to the wild, curly hair Cara has. As much as she hates her curls, Cara loves herself; some may say she is self-absorbed.

They're not wrong.

Cara stares at how beautiful her mum is, despite everything. She looks so peaceful in her sleep. She lets out a low laugh, already imagining jokes her mum would say, and she will definitely tease Dr. Andres too.

"I won't let you die." Cara's words are more of an assurance to herself than a promise to Brianna. Tears well up in her eyes, giving her a blurry vision. She cannot handle seeing her mum this frail, in a white, ugly hospital gown with all this life support attached to her.

Cara leans forward, pressing her lips against her mother's warm forehead in a gentle peck. She lingers for a moment, savoring the fleeting contact before reluctantly pulling away and returning to her seat. As she reaches for her leather jacket, she can't help but recall the sundress her mother had given her during Easter that she intended to wear today.

Cara is currently in faded, ripped jeans, a crop top, and sneakers. It's a far cry from the elegance of the sundress.

Determined to find the money she needs, Cara paces the hospital corridor, her thoughts consumed by brainstorming. Her mind flits from one idea to the next, considering everything from organ donation to selling her eggs. But each idea is met with the same conclusion: Mama won't approve.

Cara's imagination runs wild as she finds herself outside the hospital entrance, lost in thought. She doesn't even realize she's standing there like a creep, completely absorbed in her own world.

She stares at the ground, her thoughts tangled in knots, until a frail voice behind her pulls her from her stupor. Cara quickly turns, startled, to see an elderly woman patiently waiting with her hand outstretched toward the door handle. Realizing she's obstructing the woman's way, Cara quickly steps aside and holds the glass door open.

The woman is slow, deliberate in her movements. Cara winces as pain shoots through her aching hands, the lingering effects of a long shift at Geisel's. The strain in her wrists reminds her of the things she can't afford to fix, both physical and emotional.

The elderly woman shuffles inside, her body bent with age, and Cara watches impatiently as she makes her way in. The woman's movements are labored, and Cara feels a wave of guilt for how impatient she's become. The woman finally reaches her destination-a bench just inside the hospital doors-and Cara breathes a sigh of relief. She releases the door with a final, frustrated exhale.

The woman glances back at her with a grateful smile, her wrinkled eyes crinkling at the edges. "Thank you, dear," she says softly.

Cara nods, her mind already far away. "No problem," she mutters, her voice flat, her attention already lost in the web of her thoughts.

The door closes behind her with a soft click, and Cara stands there for a moment, staring at nothing in particular. She should feel proud for having helped the elderly woman, but it's hard to focus on anything outside her growing desperation. Her mind doesn't rest for long, though, and soon she shifts her gaze, distracted by the one thing that's always been there for her-the one thing that always made her feel free.

Her motorbike.

It's parked a few feet away, waiting for her like a faithful steed. The shiny chrome catches the dim sunlight filtering through the hospital windows. The glimmer of hope flickers in Cara's eyes. It's not a perfect solution to her problems, but it's a start. And at least she won't have to sell one of her organs.

Her fingers itch to grasp the familiar handlebars, but for a moment, she stands still. The bike is freedom, a way to escape. But it's also a reminder of her choices, her responsibilities. If she takes it and runs, her mum's condition will still be there when she gets back. But... maybe if she has a few more dollars, she can make the trip to the hospital a little less painful for her mum. Maybe if she just gets some time to breathe, she'll figure out a way to make it work.

The thought of escaping for a bit calls to her, but Cara knows better than to run away from her problems. They will always be waiting when she gets back. She doesn't have the luxury of forgetting, not with her mum's health on the line.

Still, there's something soothing about the idea of the wind in her hair, of the road stretched out in front of her. It's not like it's the first time she's thought about running. But this time, there's a new determination. She doesn't want to leave; she just wants to breathe, just for a moment. Just enough to think.

As she takes a step toward her bike, her phone buzzes in her pocket. She pulls it out, her heart skipping a beat when she sees the name on the screen.

"Mum"

Cara's breath catches in her throat. The first instinct is to answer it, to hear her mum's voice, but then reality hits her. She takes a deep breath and presses the answer button.

"Hello?" Cara's voice shakes slightly, a trace of fear hidden beneath the calm.

"It's me, darling," Brianna's voice crackles through, weak but warm. "I just wanted to let you know... you don't have to worry. Everything will be okay."

Cara's heart clenches, but she fights the tears threatening to spill over. "Mum, don't say that. You've got to hang in there. I'm doing everything I can."

"I know you are, sweetheart. But remember, we always find a way. We always have."

Her mum's words are like a balm to her frayed nerves. They don't fix anything, but they help. They remind her that no matter how much she's struggling, she's not alone.

Cara closes her eyes for a moment, a small smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "I love you, Mum."

"I love you too, darling. You're stronger than you know."

After the call ends, Cara stands there for a moment, the weight of her mother's words settling in her chest. She may not have a solution yet, but she knows she can't stop fighting. For Brianna. For herself. And for the future they still have ahead.

With a final glance at her bike, Cara turns back toward the hospital entrance. Maybe she doesn't have all the answers, but she's not ready to give up-not today, not ever.