“Okay” I whisper. I can’t muster up anything else.

“Now, what would you like for dinner?” She stood up as she spoke, walking over to the window to motion my mother to return. As my mother comes in the room, I wipe my eyes.

“What do they have?”

“Well, its all really bad, but I’m sure they have hot-dogs.”

“Hot-dogs sound fine.” I nod to her. She is so special. She cares so much about me, and she is so beautiful. I hope I don’t cause her pain. I couldn’t bare it. I’ll stick it out for her. I’ll try harder. My cracked smile grows full as I continue to look to her.

“What would you like to drink?”

“Do they have Iced Tea?”

“I think they might.Some hot-dogs and an Iced Tea coming right up.” As she turns to leave the room,I catch a glimpse of her smile fading to a frown.My heart falls lower, my spirit dies.She was putting on a show. I am hurting her. What have I done?My mother is sitting at my bed side, and while we wait for Hilary to return with food, we make conversation.She asks me if I’m alright.

I lie.