''Yes. Before, he died. I was 14 years then, but, anytime I saw my dad, I was always scared. I had a sudden fear in me about suddenly losing him. He didn't tell anyone about his illness. Not even my mother whom he was very close too. One day, he got up to make me a cup of warm milk and he fainted, just like that. When we sent him to the hospital, the doctor told us he had cancer stage 4. He couldn't be cured even with all the money we had back then. My mom was so stubborn as a bull just like she is now. She refused to give up and spent all our money on chemotherapy but, alas, my dad still died''
''I'm so sorry. You never told us this? It must have been hard on you and your mother''
'It was, it still is. But, I hate pity; whether giving it or receiving it. I hate it, so I don't tell a lot of people about it. You and Bertha are the only ones who know this''
''So, what happened next? You said your mom spent all your family money. How did you survive back then?''
