If her mom died, she had two options—the system or the street. The
system at sixteen years old was a waste of time. And without Big Rock’s
protection, she wouldn’t survive the street. Now the problem was if she would
survive Big Rock.
Dee watched her mother for a minute; something she often did while
she slept. She wanted to be there when she passed. God, just the thought made
her stomach cramp – her mom, the bills, a new place to stay, Big Rock. Just
keep breathing, Mom, please.
She lay down next to her mother and placed a hand on her mother’s
chest. This was the only way she could sleep nowadays. Dee’s body was
already set to wake if Ilene’s breathing even so much as hitched.
Dee closed her eyes and let the pillow silently collect more of her tears,
as she fell into a deep sleep … only to be jerked awake.
Ilene’s breathing … was different.
“Mom?”
Her mother slowly turned her head. That’s all, just her head. Her eyes
were glassy. And then there was one more breath.
Dee sat up. Her heartbeat accelerated with that small movement.
“Mom?!”
Sierra Kay
13
Naleighna Kai Literary Cafe Magazine July/August 2017 65