Mr. Devil

*Spilled Chicken Soup*

Charlie's POV

   When I woke up the next morning Jacob was gone and my car was in the driveway. The keys sat on the chair that he sat in when I fell asleep.

  The day dragged on slowly. I was beyond glad when i could sleep. I didn't end up going to school because I was scared to get anyone sick. I didn't throw up at all today, but my stomach still didn't feel the greatest.

    Today I woke up with an awkward feeling. I wasn't sad nor was I happy, I was just here. It's not really a bad feeling but it's not a good once.

     I realized how I haven't seen my mother in a few days so now would be a good time to see her. At this time it had been five days since my sick episode so I decided that it would be fine if I saw her. 

   After a short shower I changed into a black crop top and a pair of high wasted black jeans. I smiled and smiled walked over to my mirror. I looked at myself but my smile faltered. I turned to the side and all of the confidence I had was sucked out of me.

   My sides popped out of the jeans making me seem fatter than what I normally am. I shook my head and grabbed the hoodie that lay on the floor next to my bed. I slid it on and made my way over to my keys. I grabbed them then made my way out of the house.

    I don't exactly know why but I was in the mood for sad music. I switched on my sad playlist and instantly started humming along to Wasted by MKTO.

    I pulled into my normal spot on the outside of the hospital parking lot. I sighed, unplugged my phone from the AUX cord, and got out of my car.

  I made my way into the hospital with a small smile on my lips. Many of the nurses looked at me with sad smiles. They know the situation my mom was in.

    I walked over to the elevator and pressed the third floor. Also known around the hospital as the cancer floor. The huge weight on my shoulders only grew as the doors opened. All of the gazes of nurses turned towards me.

   I just shrugged slightly, trying to take off some of the weight of my shoulders from being tense, and made my way towards my mothers room. I knocked slightly on the door before I heard a small come in from Bailey, my moms nurse. I opened the door to see my mother sitting up eating the food that Bailey is feeding to her.

Bailey put the spoon down and looked over at me. My mother instantly followed her gaze. A smile instantly shot on my mothers face, the small smile that I had was instantly changed. My mother's smile is contagious.

    "Look Bailey, it's my beautiful Charlie." My mother exclaimed smiling at me. I smiled at her and walked over to her.

    "Hey mama." I said sitting down next to her. I don't really talk about what happened with my mother.

    Five years ago my father left us. I got home from school and all of his stuff was gone. Mom was still at work so she didn't know what happened. There was only a note on my mothers bed saying that he just couldn't handle the stress of me and her anymore. I haven't heard from him since. 

   He wasn't a good father, but I didn't realize this until I was older. I thought his beatings when he was angry was normal. I grew up with it so I had thought all fathers had done it. I didn't realize that it wasn't normal until a year after he had left. 

   Mother had been getting sick at this time but no one really realized. She still acted the same and was very happy.

     A year after he left my mother was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. I know what you are thinking. Charlie why does she have to stay in the hospital. Breast cancer is something you can survive from.  

   Yes I know you can survive from it. Don't you think we all know that. Fast forward to about 2 months after my mom was diagnosed. On her way to chemo a van drove through a read light and hit my mom head on.

  During this she lost both of her legs and her skull had fractured. The doctors have just kept her here since that day. Her cancer is getting worse everyday.

   The doctors have tried many different types of treatments. My mother eventually got tired of it all and said no to all treatments besides her daily pills. No chemo and no radiation therapy.

   My mother has always been a happy soul, even when she was diagnosed with cancer. She always keeps a smile on her face even when things get hard.

   Due to the fact she is always in the hospital she cant work, so I am in charge of paying the bills. Not just one or two but all of them, including her hospital bill. The hospital bill gets higher and higher every month.

    The only thing keeping her in here is my job at the diner. Without it she would be back and home. If she were at home she would not get the prescriptions she needs. I pick up small jobs in the summer along with my job at the diner to help as well. 

   I don't even think my father knows she has cancer. Unless one of the doctors had called him or my mother did I don't think he knows, I sure as heck know I didn't.

   "I'll leave you two be. Now be careful eating your chicken soup now Meg." Bailey warned with a small laugh. My mother let out a joyful laugh in return.

   "It was nice to see you again Charlie." Bailey said patting me on the back before walking out, shutting the door behind her.

   "How are you doing my dear! I haven't seen you in a few days!" She exclaimed pulling me into a hug. I was cautious around the IV in her arm but hugged her back just as hard.

   "I was sick so I couldn't come to see you. I also picked up on some extra shifts at the diner to help make a little more. I want you to have the best stay here ma." I said with a small smile. Her huge smile turned into a sad one.

    "Hun you are a teenager. You should be out living your life not working." My mother said looking at me, sadness swirled in her eyes.

    "I gotta do it ma. You know what could happen if I don't. I need to keep the bills paid and I need to make sure you stay healthy in here." I said wiping a tear that fell from my mothers eye. She placed her wrinkly hand on top of mine and smiled up on me.

    Just as I was about to say something I heard someone clear their throat. I looked over at the door to see Jacob standing there with a confused expression. My eyes widened and my mouth fell open slightly.

"I think you just spilled my chicken noodle soup!" My mom exclaimed like a madman.

   "Jacob." I said breathlessly. His normal blank stare captivated me just like always. That's when all hell broke loose.