Chapter Eight

I went to bed not long after, and like the night before I didn't sleep soundly, my mom had said she wasn't going to last much longer, how long would I have with her. She was coughing when I woke up, I grabbed her a glass of water, she looked very pale today. "Are you okay mom," I said.
"It's just a couch Mitchie," she said. "But I don't think I'm going to be able to go to work today,"
"I wouldn't expect you to," I said. "Now are you going to be okay while I go and get some breakfast," she nodded weakly and sat up.

I heard a knock at the door, "Hey Mitchie," said Caitlyn. I walked out of the room and followed her to the hall. "How is she,"
"She's not good at all," I said. "We had a talk last night, she doesn't think she's got much longer,"
"Oh Mitchie," she said.
"She told me she was scared," I said. "But I'm scared too,"
"I know you are," said Caitlyn, she hugged me for the second time as I broke down again.

We made our way to the hall some time later, and that was when I saw the guys for the first time since yesterday. People went quiet as they came in, wondering what they would say. They didn't say anything, "God is she still upset," said Tess. "What you think you'll get sympathy,"
"Shut up Tess," I said. "You have no idea why am upset right now,"
"I'm sure it's something pathetic," she said, to her friends. "Did you see that bald lady last night,"
"Be very careful about what you say Tess," said Caitlyn.

"Wait a minute," said Tess. "She looked just like you, is that why she closed her restaurant, she didn't want people seeing her little problem,"
"Carry on Tess," said Caitlyn. "And I won't hesitate to put your nose out of joint,"
"I'm sure Mitchie can fight her own battles," said Tess. "So Mitchie what kind of disease does your mom have, and can I get because I really don't want catch...," It all happened so fast. My fist connected with her jaw.

"Oh my god did you see that," said Tess. "The girls a lunatic,"
"You were asking for it," I said. "Now leave me alone, and get some ice you'll need it," Tess stalked off and everyone stared at me.
"That was awesome," said Caitlyn. "Now come on I want breakfast,"
"I'd actually forgotten about that," I said. I sat back down and ate an omelette, it was nice but not nearly as nice as my mom's. "Well I'm going to take this back to my mom, can you cover for me,"
"Sure," she said.

"Why are you skipping class," said Brown, I wasn't aware he was here.
"My mom," I said. "She's not well, I need to take care of her,"
"Okay," he said. People looked at him stunned.
"Thank you," I said.
"Go on," he said.

I did, I walked back to the cabin with the food, I could hear mom coughing from outside. "Oh my god mom," I said. She was trying to get out of bed. "Don't strain yourself,"
"I wanted to go to the bathroom, but I couldn't get up, and now I've wet the bed," she said.
"Oh mom," I said. "Let's get you a change of clothes," I got out a pair of pyjamas and she held me ever so tightly as I helped her into them, she was finding it difficult to stand. "Now sit down and I'll change the beds,"
"I'm sorry Mitchie," she said.

"Don't worry about it mom," I said. "Accidents happen," I changed the sheets and put the others into the laundry basket. "Mitchie," said my mom. "It hurts,"
"What does," I said.
"Everything," she said suddenly crying out in agony. "Make it stop," suddenly her eyes rolled and she fell to the floor I managed to catch her quickly.
"Oh god, mom," I said. "I'm gonna call for help okay," I grabbed my phone and then realised I didn't have Caitlyn's number. I looked on the brochure I had and called Brown's mobile, I prayed he would pick up.

"Hello, Brown's phone," said Shane's voice.
"Oh my god," I said. "Shane I need you to help me please,"
"Mitchie why are you calling Brown," Shane said. "Look I don't want to talk,"
"No please don't hang up," I said now sobbing into the phone, "I need you to help me,"
"What, Mitchie...,"
"It's my mom she's collapsed she needs help," I said. "Look just help me take her to the hospital,"
"I'll be there in a few minutes, what's your cabin number," he said.

"20," I said and then I hung up
"Mitchie, open the door," said Shane's voice. I got up and opened it, his eyes widened when he saw my mom. "Oh my god," he said. "What happened,"
"She has leukaemia, she started coughing earlier, and then she just started screaming about being in pain and then she collapsed," I said trying to get some control into my voice.

"Okay," she said. "Let's get her to a hospital and then we can talk," He helped me carry her to the car and drove us to the nearby hospital, We got there and the medical team took over and rushed her away to see what was wrong. Shane left to call Nate as he was with Brown and then he came back and sat next to me.

"Mitchie," said Shane. "Is she why you lied,"
"She didn't want anyone to know," I said. "She hates people feeling sorry for her,"
"How long has she had leukaemia," he said.
"Six months," I said. "We thought she was getting better, but then the day before we came here she got told she only had three months, but she told me the other night that she wasn't going to last that long,"
"Oh Mitchie come here," he said pulling me into his arms and holding me close.

"Brown and my brothers are coming and Caitlyn she demanded to know as soon as Nate said what hospital," he said, he held me close and we stayed like that for a while and then I heard footsteps.
"Mitchie," said Caitlyn's voice. "Have you heard anything," I shook my head.
"Mitchie we're really sorry, we should have given you a chance to explain," said Nate.
"Don't worry about it," I said. "I shouldn't have lied,"

"Mitchie Torres," said a voice, I looked up and saw a doctor with an unemotional face. "Can you come with me please,"
"Can someone come with me," I said. He nodded and I gripped Shane's hand as we followed the doctor to an empty room. It was in that room that my entire life fell apart...