Natalie walked to school the next morning, angrier than she had ever been. She felt as if everyone was turning her back against her, everyone except…
"Natalie!" Henry called. Natalie was not in the mood to talk to Henry, so she walked faster. "Natalie, wait! What's wrong?"
"Nothing!" she yelled, then she started crying. She knew that Henry could always tell when something was wrong with her. "Everything."
Henry put an arm around Natalie. "Tell me what's troubling you."
"Yesterday, I found out something horrible and I just can't admit it to myself."
"If it's about what we did last week, I'm sorry."
"That has nothing to do with this in any way whatsoever. Henry, it's my mom. She has cancer."
"Oh my god. I'm sorry. Nat, that's horrible!"
"Ya think?" Natalie cried into Henry's shoulder. "I'm so mad at my mom and I can't help but worry that this bitchy behavior of mine is going to be the last she'll see of me."
"This is an emotional time for you."
"Thank you, Captain Obvious."
"But you have me to be your crying shoulder… if you need one."
"Again, thank you, Captain Obvious."
"You know I love you, right?"
"Make me say it again and I'll have to love you more than what words can say."
"Look, so sad and you can still make a joke."
"We better get to class."
"I agree. Tell your mom I hope she gets better."
"If she'll listen to me. I've been a bitch to her."
"Of course she will. She's your mother. She loves you. She shouldn't hold a grudge against you cuz you're worried."
"Henry, I'm also angry. I found out about this on Facebook and she tried to hide it from me and Dad."
"Again, she shouldn't be mad at you." Natalie nodded and the bell rang. "Shit! Late! Come on!"