Chapter one

Catherine opens the entrance door, rests her hand on the wall to forcefully remove her shoes. She enters the room and sees her mum sitting on the floor knitting as usual. 

'Welcome darling,' her mum greets, smiling at her while taking a pause at her knitting. 'How was today?'

'Good, though not quite well' Catherine replies

'What happened?' her mum curiously asks

Catherine sighs and seats on the small sofa in the living room. The apartment is a small self contained one. The living room contains two small sofas and a small wooden central table. 

'We were asked not to come to work again. The manager said there isn't enought sales to meet up with the salary' she replies

'All of you?'

'No' she looks around for the remote, Stands up to on the TV 'Most of us still schooling' she sits back on the chair.

Her mum stands and walks to her. She strokes her hair and speaks lovingly ' Kat I know how much you want to be of help but don't worry I can handle it. You've tried enough '

Catherine looks into her face 'No mum. I don't want you stressed out anymore and ...' 

'But I'm not complaining ' her mum cuts in

Catherine stands up backing her 'You don't have to say it cause I can see it. Every night you take in pills as if there are candies ' she faces and studies her ' Mum, give it a rest please . I'll try to find another side job till I'm through with my studies' 

She bends to her mum whose eyes are fills with tears and holds her hand 'Mum please trust me in two years time all this will be over'

Her mum frees her hand to wipe her tears 'Kat darling, I need to tell you something ' she looks into her face sadly 'I'm sorry to say this.The doctor said I have cancer' 

Catherine throws herself on the floor and sob.'No! no! no! no!, cancer?' She asks again 

'Yeah,' her mum replies, 'though I'm receiving treatment but it's quite late' She draws her up to her chest and pats her ' Catherine it's well and I'll be fine'

'No mum. You're all I have ' Catherine replies and weeps bitterly.

'i promise you, I won't,' she shakes her head, 'never ever leave you alone. I'll fight with everything I have to stay with you Kat' 

Catherine and her mum hold each other for a long time, shedding more tears then share a silence whose communication exceeds any other form.