Tatum was hunched over the bedside of her mother, who was coughing a lot and looked pale as snow. Tears were falling down Tatum’s face.

“Please mother,” she said. “Don’t leave me.”

“I’m getting more and more tired by the second,” she said. “I just want to sleep.”

“No,” Tatum said. “You’re the only one I have left. My older brother, Kobe, is far away in some place I don’t even know, and I hardly even talk to him nowadays. You’re the only one who I truly care about in this family.”

Her mother slowly lifted her hand to touch Tatum’s cheek. She caressed her soft cheek, and Tatum held her mother’s hand strongly.

“Please. You must be strong,” Tatum said. “For me.”

“You are far too fucking dramatic,” her mom said suddenly.

“Huh?” Tatum blinked.

“Your brother is studying abroad in Britain. We will visit him in the fall. And I just have a minor cold. The only reason you are acting like this is so I can drive you to watch Scream 6 with your friends.”

“Yes,” Tatum said. “You are the only one who can drive me. I failed my driver’s test three times.”

“I’m not getting out of this bed,” her mom cried. “I called an Uber. When the time comes, be ready to get out and get into the Uber.”

“Oh thanks,” Tatum said. She rushed out of the room.

“You selfish girl,” her mom whispered. “I asked you to prepare tea for me, but you forgot.”