Sophia
Sophia's mother yawned heavily on the bed, her voice struck Sophia at the doorway, she pushed the door and stepped in quickly. She was coming back from work.
"Mama?" "How are you feeling?" her chest pounding, Sophia asked her mother who was lying sick on the bed. Her mother looked at her. "I am tired, my daughter," She said.
A moment later.
"Where are you coming from, my dear?" Sophia's mom asked. "From work mama," Sophia responded, staring at her mother, her eyes full of tears.
"My daughter, remember that you need to rest." Sophia's mother managed to say. "Don't worry Mama, I am fine," Sophia said.
Sophia had little time to rest with her busy schedule working at the Alamo Hotel and Bakery
She was absorbed in thoughts of the little house on the outskirts of town, where her sick mother was recuperating.
She had not talked to her mother today.
Sophia was losing time easily, like sand slipping through her fingers, as her mother's health worsened day by day.
Sophia sat down on the bed holding her mom's hand. "Don't worry Mama, you will be fine," she said, her mother looking at her without saying a word.
Sophia got up, and went to the kitchen and prepared food for her mother before they could sleep.
The following morning, Sophia woke up and prepared breakfast for her mother. Before she dresses up and goes out for work.
Alamo Hotel is the first place she's going to start with today.
"Good morning, Sofia!" While at the counter, Mrs. Haver, the Alamo hotel's proprietor, greeted her.
The woman always had a warm smile, yet there was a constant concern in her eyes when she looked at Sophia.
Sophia put on a smile under pressure. "Mrs. Haver, good morning," Sophia responded. "You appear fatigued, my love." Mrs. Haver said.
"After your shift, it is advisable to take a break," the elderly woman said softly as she wiped her hands on her apron.
Sophia asserted that she was doing well. Unfortunately, it wasn't true.
She had no time to relax. Likewise, she had to manage two jobs as she was struggling to afford the hospital bills.
However, Mrs. Haver was not happy with Sophia's condition.
"Are you planning to go to the bakery next?" Mrs. Haver asked
Sophia nodded. Completing the sweeping task. "Indeed. Later today, I have cleaning duties at the bakery."
Mrs. Haver gazes at Sophia. "You put in too much effort, remember to look after yourself as well."
Mrs. Haver was imagining how a small girl would engage in too much work like that.
Sophia made a promise, even though she was aware it was not truthful. It is a fake promise.
Self-care was not possible as all her earnings were used for her mother's medical care.
For months, she hadn't purchased anything for herself, not even a new pair of shoes, despite her worn-out soles.
The bakery was waiting for her next shift.
Immediately after she finished at the Alamo hotel, she looked at her watch at exactly 10:30 AM.
Sophia rushed to the bakery site where the small room of the bakery was filled with warmth from the ovens, as Sophia needed some bread to eat. She went straight to see Mr. Ludlow, the bread baker.
She pushed the door with confidence and entered the bread room without knocking.
Mr. Ludlow, The bread baker and some of his second bakers were inside the bread room.
"Hi! Mr. Ludlow". She greeted him with a gentle smile. "You're alright kids?"
Mr. Ludlow stared at her imagining how she entered with such confidence without knocking on the door.
"Yeah, how can I help you kid?" He asked. "Please, Mr. Ludlow, can I get some loaves of bread?"
Mr. Ludlow gazes at Sophia. "Is that why you will enter without knocking?" Mr. Ludlow asked.
Sophia was hungry, and she was rushing, she remembers that she didn't knock before pushing the door for the first time.
"I am so sorry, sir. I am trying to catch up with my next shift, that was not my plan." She said, looking at Mr. Ludlow.
"Kids?" "We maintain serious respect in this bakery." Mr. Ludlow said. Then, he asked one of the second bakers to give her two loaves of bread.
"Thank you, Mr. Ludlow," She said, after receiving the bread, she bowed before turning back and started working.
For a few minutes, she couldn't help herself with memories. Months had passed since her mother had not been healthy enough to get out of bed.
The doctor had visited several times, suggesting different medications, but none of them appeared to be working.
Sophia's heart tightened as she considered the mounting bills.
Every day, she consistently puts in more effort, yet no matter how many hours she works, the earnings never feel sufficient.
And presently… She found herself uncertain about her mother's ability to endure for much longer.
"Are you okay, Sophia?" With a worried expression on his face, Mr. Ludlow asked. He had been observing her, his bushy eyebrows furrowed.
Sophia nodded dreadfully while she wiped her hands on her apron.
"Indeed, Mr. Ludlow. Just… tired." She said, in a low tone.
There wasn't time to explain, and she didn't want pity. She just needed to keep working.
Sophia's shift ended, "Goodbye, Mr. Ludlow," she said and rushed out of the bakery.
Sophia had to hurry home and check on her mom.
The small house at the edge of the village in which Sophia lived with her mother was properly concealed from the busy plaza.
Reaching home, Sophia pushed the door and stepped in.
There was her mother lying down in her small bed, she tapped her mother gently, speaking with her palm.
"Mama," Sophia called in a whisper and gentler tone, she held her mother's hand and sat beside her.
In response to her presence, she managed to open her eyes, while a faint grin appeared on her face.
"My dear," she started, her words a faint voice murmuring. "You are working so hard, always have some rest." her mother said, her voice sounding weak.
Sophia blinked, her eyes full of tears. "I am okay, Mama." She replied and continued. "No need for you to be concerned about me," Sophia said.
"How are you feeling, mama?"
Her mother shut her eyes again with a sigh. "Exhausted… I feel so exhausted. But do not fret. I'll be fine."
Sophia understood her mother well but looking at her weakened state made her feel sad.
She took her mother's hand in hers and squeezed it lightly. "I am going to solve this. I will find a solution to make you well again soon." Sophia promised.
Her mother did not reply. Already, she was lost in a troubled slumber again.
Some minutes later, there was a knock on the door. Her heart almost jumped—visitors had stopped coming to them.
She opened the door carefully and was confronted by Dr. Murrow.
He was a tall man with a fair head of hair and soft eyes, but on this day, the kind man had a hard look.
"Sophia," he uttered in a soft voice. "Let us talk about your mother's health condition."
Sophia's heart sank. This was the one step she had tried to avoid. "What is it, Doctor?" She asked immediately, staring at him.
The doctor hesitated, looking past her into the small, dimly lit house.
"Her condition is worsening, Sophia. The medicine… it's not enough to treat her anymore."
Sophia swallowed hard, trying to keep her voice steady.
"What do we do? Is there something else? Some other treatment needed?" She asked.
Doctor Murrow sighed, rubbing his hand over his face. "She needs surgery. And soon. Without it… I regret to inform you, but I do not think she has much time remaining."
"Surgery?" "That is impossible," she said with a shaking tone. Doctor Murrow's words struck her, she felt confused.
There was no way she could afford something like that.
She could barely afford the medications.
"But I…I can't afford such an operation," she stuttered, her chest tightening in panic.
"We don't even have enough money to settle the bills from last month. How on earth do you expect me to pay for the operation?"
The doctor's face softened with pity, and Sophia hated it. She didn't want his sympathy—she wanted a solution at the moment.
"I'm sorry, Sophia. Truly, I am. But if the surgery doesn't happen soon…"
He didn't need to finish the sentence. Sophia knew what he was saying. "So, Without the surgery, my mother would die?" She asked.
The doctor acknowledged her with a brief nod and walked out, the sound of his steps disappearing into the dark.
Sophia remained at the door, feeling dizzy.
All the hard work she put into caregiving for her mother; she tried to keep it all in control; she managed it as a victim of abuse, but now it felt like it was all sliding away from her palms.
"The operation is expensive. My mother is going to die. If I can't do anything." Sophia said angrily.
Her eyes watered, and she was about to cry but held it back. There is no time for weeping.
There is no room for a breakdown. She Has To Find A Solution To This. There Has To Be One.