Chapter 3 - Darkness

An hour later I walk into the house with five grocery bags plastered to my body. I could have made a couple of trips to the car to get everything into the house but I don't have time for that. But that means I'm balancing eggs, milk and vinegar with every inch of my body so they don't fall. 

Now I have to admit I'm crazy for doing this but I'm almost there. 

When I get to the kitchen I slide my whole body down so I can place the bags down without breaking anything. I'm glad no one is here to see this because I'm sure I look stupid. If the fate of a dozen eggs wasn't in my hand I would have laughed. 

I breathe a sigh of relief when everything is safely placed on the ground. 

Now I have to put it away. 

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20 minutes later

"Mom," I call out at her bedroom door. I doubt she's awake yet. I didn't hear any movement from her room when I woke up earlier and there's still no movement now. "I made you breakfast" I and push the door open with the tray in my hands. 

I walk into the dark room heading for her bed. "Mom, are you awake?" I ask when I don't get a response. 

"I'm up baby," She says her voice hoarse, like she hasn't spoken in a long time.

"I have food for you here," I say walking to the empty side of the bed. I place the tray on the bed and watch her turn slowly to look towards me. 

"Thank you. You're the sweetest." She says sitting up. I wait for her to reach for the food but she doesn't instead she closes her eyes like she's falling back to sleep. 

"You're going to eat right?" ask and she opens her eyes so quickly that I frightened her. 

"Yes, yes." She says and she reaches for the tea. I watch her take a sip and then she takes a slice of toast. I stand there waiting for her to get in a few bites before I leave. I hate doing this but if I don't she's not going to eat. 

I don't want to go through another weekend where she collapses because she didn't eat enough.

"This is really good, thank you." She says and I smile. I want her to eat some of the eggs and sausage but she's just biting at the toast.

"The eggs are great too. They might be the best eggs I've made in a very long time." I say gently coaxing her to eat more.

She smiles but she doesn't eat any of it. 

"I'll be in my bedroom if you need anything," I say walking out. I don't want to fight with her. She'll eat more if she wants to. I can't force her. 

I'll come back and try to convince her to eat lunch.

But for now, I have 4 hours to not worry about her eating habits.