Chapter six

Kylie felt guilty as she left Mason's office. She didn't plan on blackmailing him with pregnancy but the way he kept talking about firing her made her a little nervous.

She was certain she wasn't pregnant. If anything, the used condoms she saw on the bedside drawer were enough proof of that. Even she didn't want a baby yet. Not when she has other things to take care of. 

Her phone buzzed in her hand and she peered at it to see her sister's name on the screen. She swiped the screen to answer the call.

"Hi, Kylie. How are you? How is work?" Her sister's voice sounded from the other side of the phone. 

"Hi, Kendall. I'm fine. How are you doing? How's mum?" Kylie asked. She suspected that that was the reason Kendall was calling.

"I'm fine but I can't say the same about Mum. The doctor called me earlier and added a list of drugs to her list." 

The doctor called her. Why? Kylie was the one who foots the bill so what was the point of calling and disturbing her sister?

"Why? What happened to the other drugs she usually takes?" 

"The doctor said something about changing all the drugs she takes. Something along the lines of 'her body proving resistance to them'. I think you should call the doctor to clarify it."

"Alright, I'll talk to the doctor. I'll also drop by today after work to seeMumm okay? Don't worry about her, just focus on school." Kylie tried to reassure her sister.

"You know it's not possible to not worry but I'll try to focus more on school." Kendall replied.

"Okay. You always argue, Kendall, and that's not good for you sometimes.' Kylie scolded.

"You realize that I'm no longer a child and scolding me won't work, right? Ky, I'm 20. Just because you are four years older doesn't mean I'm a baby." 

Kylie sighed. Her sister really likes arguing. She should have gone to college for law instead of Nursing.

"Fine. Whatever helps you sleep at night." Kylie relented.

"Let me leave you to work. We'll see when you drop by."

Kylie dropped the call and rubbed her temples. So many problems to deal with. But all of a sudden she wasn't feeling guilty for lying to Mason if it meant her mum and sister being taken care of.

*********************

Kylie's mother was even thinner than the last time Kylie saw her, which, by the way, was three days ago. 

"Hey, mum. How are you feeling?" Kylie dropped her bags on the chair beside the bed and held her mother's hand.

Her mother smiled wryly. She looked emaciated. 

"I'm fine, Ky."

'But you don't look fine' Kylie wanted to add but didn't. 

"Where's Kendall? What did you eat? Have you eaten?"

Her mother giggled. 

"You still haven't stopped asking too many questions, have you? Kendall went out to get something for us to eat. I think that answers all your questions" Her mother looked at her and smiled, her crow's feet evident as the wrinkles on her face increased each day.

"Oh. I brought you both something to eat." She took her bags off the chair and sat on it, pulling it closer to her mum. 

"I talked to your doctor today. She said all your medications will be changed to stronger ones because the other ones aren't working anymore. She told you?" She raised a brow.

"Yes, She did. Are they expensive?" Her mother frowned at her.

"You don't need to worry about that, mum. I'll take care of that. Whether they are expensive or not, they must be bought."

"Can you afford them?" Her mother insisted.

"I can, mum. I must. What did Kendall go to buy?" She asked, changing the topic.

"I felt like eating pasta so she went out to get some."

"Is that safe? Are you allowed to eat pasta?"

"Yes, we asked the doctor first. I really miss eating pasta." Her mother smiled wistfully and Kylie found herself smiling too. She wish she could make her mum healthy again but she couldn't. 

The door opened and Kendall came in with two plastic bags. 

"You're here early. Didn't expect you to come now" Kendall sat at the edge of the bed and smiled at Kylie.

"Nice to see you too, Ken." 

Kendall frowned. 

"You know I hate being called Ken. That sounds masculine."

"But that's your name. What else should I call you?" Kylie teased while adjusting her mom's bed so that she would be able to eat.

"Kendall. Just Kendall." 

"Kendall" Kylie said as if she was testing out the name.

"Nah, I prefer Ken."

Her sister pouted.

"Alright, what of Kenzie?" Kylie laughed. She loved teasing Kendall.

"Anything is better than Ken."

"Okay, Ken…..I mean Kenzie." She laughed along with her mother.

"You girls are a lot. Come and join us, Kylie." 

"Nah, I'm good. I ate before coming." She declined.

After they had eaten and her mother had gone to sleep, Kendall and Kylie started talking about everything they missed out on in the past three days. 

"So what about the layoff? Were you laid off?" Kendall questioned.

"Not yet. I used pregnancy as blackmail to retain my position." 

"What do you mean? Are you pregnant?"

Kylie went on to relate what happened between her and Mason for the second time today.

"I'm sure you won't be laid off. Not anytime soon."

"I pray. Mum's new medications are hella expensive now. I still need the job if I'm going to pay for that and your tuition fee"

"This is the perfect time to take that student loan. Don't you think so?" 

"No, Kendall. I'm still paying for mine. We would manage. We can. I still have the job, don't I?"

"Okay, let me start a job, maybe waitressing then? So that I can take care of my other needs while you take care of the tuition, Mum's bills, and yourself."

"Okay, you can. But please still focus on school alright?" 

"I would sissy. Now, there's this guy at school. He's friends with my roommate. He's so hot and he likes me."

"What's his name?"

"Miles