My nostrils flared as I yanked the I.V. from his arm and shoved the tube down his throat. He kicked and thrashed but I kept my hand over his mouth and nose as I squeezed the bag, emptying the fluid into his system and cutting off his air supply.
Chapter 3
Addison 5 Months Ago
Istared at the overdue bills in my hands as tears fell down my eyes. I literally spent my all paying for the last few overdue bills and yet they continued to come. Clamping my eyes shut, I took a deep breath. I had no idea what to do. I was in my last semester of school, but I had depleted all of my income paying for my grandmother’s personal caregiver.
My nana was recently diagnosed with advance dementia and needed around the clock care. I used to take care of her as much as I could, but her illness made it impossible for her to be home alone. The money she had for her retirement and the personal loans I pulled out weren’t enough to cover all of the medical bills on top of her mortgage. I contemplated on putting her in an assisted living home, but I knew nana wouldn’t like that.
I chewed on my bottom lip and anxiously bounced my leg as I pulled my phone out of my pocket and dialed the one other person’s number who could help.
“Who the fuck is this?”
“Seriously, Ma? You can’t save your own damn daughter’s number?”
“Don’t call my phone cussing and I just got this new number.”
I briefly stared at the phone in disbelief. Was she serious right now? My mom has had the same number for two years now. The only thing she changed was the actual phone itself. She refused to not have the most up to date phone on the market.
I shook my head. Wanting to avoid an argument, I cleared my throat. “Mama, I called you about Nana Henrietta.”
“What about her?”
“Well, her bills are piling up and I don’t have any money to pay them.”
“And you think I do?”
“Ma, I’m just saying she may lose her house.”
“Ugh! Why don’t you just use the rest of your financial aid? I know y’all be getting those refund checks. Hell, don’t you have a job?”
I clenched my jaw as I bit down on my tongue. She was working my nerves and I was beginning to regret calling her.
“Mama, I don’t have any money. What I did have, I used to pay the past due bills. I’m in work study at school, but that’s pennies compared to everything nana needs.”
“Damn, sounds like y’all shit out of luck.”
“Are you fucking serious right now? Are you telling me that you won’t help with anything for your own mother?”
“Bitch, please! I’m your mother and you don’t help me with shit. I don’t see you bending over backwards to help me pay for my own fucking bills, but you expect me to pay for Henrietta’s?”
My mouth hung open. Was she serious?
“How can you be so heartless and selfish? That woman gave birth to you!”
“And I gave birth to you, so what that mean? Look, your Nana has lived a long life and that sickness is going to kill her. Let her old ass go in peace so we can cash out on her life insurance policy. Then we wouldn’t have to worry about bills. I got to go. My boyfriend about to pick me up to take me shopping.”
The line disconnected, causing me to scream out in frustration. How the hell that woman was my mother made no damn sense. She was a greedy, narcissistic wench and didn’t care about anything or anybody.
“Whoa, is everything ok?”
I looked over my shoulder to see a thick Latina woman with brown curly hair and a tattoo sleeve going up her arm. She wore a red crop top and black jean shorts with a pair of red and black Nike slides. She had her backpack hanging off one of her shoulders and she held a medical terminology textbook.
I sighed and shook my head. “No, not really.”
“Well, if you don’t mind talking to a complete stranger, you could tell me what’s wrong.” She suggested, sitting next to me on the bench.
I glanced at her and took in her warm smile. She seemed genuine. I guess it won’t hurt having someone to talk to. Besides, I probably wouldn’t run into her again. I exhaled and explained my situation. From my grandmother falling sick to not being able to financially support her, I vented out all of my frustrations and worries. The girl stared at me and nodded as I spoke, taking in my words.When I was done speaking, she pulled me closer to her and embraced me into a hug.
