Percy held Annabeth tightly, feeling regret set in. "I knew it would have hurt you."

"Is she okay?" she managed, "How long has it been like this?" Before he could answer, she said "I trusted you. You told me you would tell me everything!"

"Annabeth, she didn't want you to know. She knew you'd get like this, too."

"But I need to know. Percy, if Sally is fading in front of our eyes, what are we supposed to do? Did you expect me to wait until she passed away before you'd tell me?" Percy glanced down at the piece of paper. Annabeth grabbed the keys to the blue car they shared and muttered, "We're leaving. Let's go."

Percy reread the note in his head.

"Dear Annabeth,

Sally has been sick for quite some time, and doctors have finally found out what was wrong with her. I have been gone so much lately because I've been caring for her... I haven't been picking up extra shifts. Cystic Fibrosis. My Dad talked to your Mom about it, and even she agreed you shouldn't know. After she'd medicated properly, it's expected that she'll live for years from now. I made them put it in writing.

Percy.

P.S. Attached is the paper the doctor signed for me."

"Okay," he finally responded.

"It's not curable, but the issues with the medical issue can be slowed from medication. We caught it very early, fortunately. After all, your mother is almost 70 years old. It seems as if she'd get sick someday," the doctor joked. Percy and Annabeth glared at him simultaneously until he became uncomfortable enough to make an excuse to leave. "I have to check on my other patients!" "Mmm," Percy responded, barely audible, staring at the doctor until he disappeared into another room, number 73. "Asshole," she muttered. Percy opened the door. He discovered his mother asleep.

"She looks okay," Annabeth seemed to sigh as she spoke, "I was worried she'd be worse." Sally turned, opening her eyes to discover two 20-year-olds staring at her.

"What are you two doing here?" she joked, looking straight at Annabeth, "And how are you?"

"I'm... I'm good. What about you?"

"I want to leave here. I've been here for 6 days straight and none of the doctors could figure out what was wrong with me, even though I guess it's a lot more common that I thought it would be."

Sally's voice sounded crackly and stuffy, and the bags under her eyes were apparent. "But I've been getting plenty of rest," Sally said, practically reading Annabeth's thoughts. "I love you, and I hope you're okay. Get plenty- get more rest. Take it easy. Don't worry about anything, and if you need anything-" she cut her off. "I'm okay. I love you too, Annabeth. I'll be alright. Percy knows we've been through worse." Percy nodded and smiled at both of them. "It's all going to work out just fine."

Percy knew seeing Annabeth cry was a bad sign, but he had too many things on his mind to think about one in particular. He knew that his mother was in worse condition than Annabeth, but seeing her upset made his stomach turn.

"Hello, again. Lady... gentleman... Sally," he swallowed uncomfortably, "We have some news regarding the condition of her. Family only, please." Annabeth stood like a stone, making it clear to Percy that she didn't intend on leaving. "Okay, well, fabulous. Nice seeing you again, you two." Annabeth frowned. "Just tell us the news, I don't need to hear you make distasteful jokes."

"Sally's condition is better than we expected; however, due to her current condition, she will need to remain in the hospital for another three days. She won't remain in the intensive care floor, which is good news." Sally sighed along with Annabeth. "So... she's better than you told me the first time?" The doctor tucked his clipboard under his arm. "Yes, very much so. In fact, she'll probably end up living up to the normal life expectancy. What made her appear so bad to us was inflammation."

"What caused the inflammation?" Annabeth said.

"She doesn't seem to have a history of lung issues, so we are attributing it to prolonged exposure to smoke." Percy balled his hands into fists, squeezing them together so hard his knuckles were white.

"Mom, where'd the smoke come from? Don't tell me you started smoking." Annabeth agreed, grabbing hold of Sally's hand. "Smoke?" she asked again.

"Gabe and his friends have been around lately... and I haven't had the heart to ask them to leave. I knew Gabe would've been unhappy with me. I eventually told him I couldn't stand it anymore, though. I can't be sweet forever."

"Is he gone?" Percy asked hopefully, "I really hope you kicked him out for good." Percy's mom smiled.

"Well, after this news, I think something like that should be arranged." All three of them cracked a smile.

"So what's this news I heard between you two? Poseidon told me you have news to tell me. What is it, Percy?"

Percy's face became hot. "Well, you know..."