arie's

ical team as my mom is rushed on a gurney into the hospital. Her eyes are clos

pened close to the hotel where I was getting fu–ed, instead of answering her calls an

e's gone into labor. Come to th

e get to the ER, and the medical team transfers my mom to a bed as a doctor comes rushin

, lunging fo

arms grab me from behind, a

s out of my throat as I desperately fl

answered my call and called 911. But I know what I saw-the scene of the accident. I recognize th

s puffy face plays in my head as she rubs her big belly. Mary. My one and only sibling. The realizatio

strength, my bloody hands fall; I crumble to pieces, and a

-

weeks

ideos of figure skaters together on her phone. She was trying to make me feel better after a long da

ter Dad. If she's a girl,

, surprised she'd name

g your dreams for us... If I could

fed her face with the cheesecake I picked up on

etting fired and falling sick so sudden

wouldn't let her breathe, rent was due all the time, and Mary had her part-time jobs and a rigorous Engineering Physics major to pursue. It was her dream, even thou

before my injury), which requires grit and hard work, and I had just one year left before graduation, so I qualified for an entry-level role. That's how I got th

ely to earn more money before bringing her baby into this world-s

s for Mom and my sister, paying for Mary's check-ups, cravings, wardrobe, and a nursery set-up because I love her so much and will do anything for her, even if it means not havi

. 'Chubby and cute' one last time; I would have held her hands when she needed me the most... But I was living recklessly for once, drinking and givi

et all

*

before I even open them,

re at the white ceiling. A painful lump solidifies in my throat, a

e-Ma

to see Beatrice and Diana staring a

rt with a whimper

Beatrice croaks with tea

o

touch the bed, about to prop myself up, but they put their hands around me, helping me up. I

d me together as I crumble every few seconds. I press a but

them, but they choos

They drag me right up, pulling me toward her bed in the ER. Her bleeding head has been wrapped; tubes and machi

k fingers on the bed

I rush toward her bed. "

her eyes. I take her frail hand and squeeze it

her weathered features, etching them to memory as my tear

it on." I blabber desperately, hoping it

ut she manages to pull it off, an

ng blinded by tears and shaking my

ise m

lways answer when you call. Immediately. I'll leave eve

f your siste

ps as I wee

ise...

her hand and putting my face bef

something out of your life, and not be

awesome. You

llege. Do

ou. I love you so much, Mom. I love you.

my face, wiping my tears. I press her hand to my cheek,

pecial, wonderful daughter...

s taken

enching cry, I shut my ey

*

etting prepped for the morgue. She's already so pale and lifeless. I fall to my knee

this. Life is no l

ad never gone to the club.