Mom is on bed rest as she appears tired and pale these past few weeks. What complicates matters is that there's no one else at home. Alice went away with her family, while my brother is still on his way. He was in Claybourne earlier, but I texted him to inform him about Mom's condition and seek his advice on what to do.

Thankfully, I managed to call for help, and my reliable friends Christian, Lance, and Kyla quickly arrived. I asked Kyla and Lance to stay with Mom while Christian and I went to the market as we had run out of food at home. Cooking has never been...