Chapter 1: Rose
Coughs.
Coughs.
Coughs.
"Mot’er," Rose called, speeding out of the kitchen with a cup of some liquid. The liquid was slightly discolored, and pieces of leaves floated at the top of the drink.
Mother was an older woman sitting upright on a straw bed laid directly on the floor. She had ginger hair with streaks of white. There were wrinkles around her eyes, forehead, and the corners of her lips, which were even more visible as she coughed violently.
Her chest heaved as she coughed, her shoulders shook, and her face was red from the force of the coughs. As soon as the wave passed, she fell back, her energy depleted, and her chest rose and fell as she tried to catch her breath.
"Mot’er," Rose called again, dropping to her knees. "’Ere’s some water." Mother shook her head, but Rose wouldn’t let her decline. "Please, Mot’er, ye ’ave to drink this. It’ll ’elp wit yer coughs. The physician said I ’ave to give it to ye every time ye cough."
Mother took a drink and almost spat it out, pushing the cup away from her face. "Tha’s not water," she rasped.
"I know, Mot’er, but if I tell ye, ye won’t drink it. Ye ’ave to finish it."
Silence.