A Perfect World that Came Crashing Down

Carey Martin blew her nose for the thousandth time and dabbed at her red, puffy eyes with a handkerchief, sore from all of her tears. She couldn't believe how fast her world had come crashing down on her. Life had reached its highest point when she and her two sons lived at the Tipton Hotel, where she happily sang, her life content. But now it seemed that it had taken a dramatic nose-dive to its lowest point. So low that she knew she'd never be able to climb back up to her old life. Nothing would ever be the same again.

Her stomach twisted uncomfortably as the steaming-hot food was placed in front of her. She knew she couldn't consume it. There was no way that she'd be able to keep it down. Just the smell had already begun to work on her, giving her a lightheaded sensation and nauseous feeling in the pit of her stomach.

She knew how badly that she needed the energy. She was weak and tired, and her stomach growled loudly, but somehow, none of that could bring her to even come close to taking a bite. It was one of those crazy moments where her stomach begged for food, and yet she did not feel hungry.

"Carey, please, you need to eat," the woman before her pleaded desperately.

Carey hopelessly shook her head, "N-No, I can't."

New tears leaked from her eyes, racing down her cheeks and neck, splashing onto her dark-blue shirt. The woman across from her stood up and bent down in front of her hysterical daughter, embracing her in a tight, loving hug.

Carey cried even harder into her mother's shoulders, letting everything out. It was the first time she'd stepped outside of hospital grounds in what felt like months, and handling it was harder to tackle than she thought. What if something happened while she was away? She'd never forgive herself.

At that moment, the waitress returned to their table with intentions to ask how everything tasted. But seeing that it was obviously an intimate moment, she quietly walked away to give the two some time. "Oh, mom…" Carey wailed. "What am I going to do?"

"Shh…" the woman cooed softly, rubbing Carey's back. "You're going to be strong, Carey. If he thinks you've given up, he might give up too…"

Carey shook her head again. She had tried to be strong, but it was too difficult. How could she be going through this? Why the Martins?

She knew that life wasn't supposed to be fair, but this was incredibly unfair. Her twins were supposed to grow up together, be each other's best man's, have kids, get great jobs. Together. But now…now it was all ruined. It wasn't supposed to be like this. Her son was too young.

She couldn't handle it—it was all too much. Every time she thought it would be okay and that she could handle it, she fell apart. She fell apart no matter what, whether she was trying to be strong or not. She hadn't stopped crying in she didn't know how long. She hadn't changed clothes in days. She hadn't lived in the Tipton for months.