Seeing him so helpless made her think about her mother on her deathbed, frail, feverish, a breathing tube taped to her nose. This had been eight months after she was diagnosed with inoperable ovarian cancer. Initially doctors gave her one year to live without chemotherapy, five with the treatment. She chose the latter option, but the cancer spread faster than anticipated and metastasized through her body. Each time Mandy visited her at the hospital the prognosis became worse and worse. One week her mother’s doctor said she had six months, the next week he said three. During the final days Mandy, sitting by her mother’s side, broke down and cried hysterically. Her mother, momentarily lucid, asked, “What’s the matter, honey?” and Mandy said, “Don’t leave me.” Her mother took her hands and promised she’d always be with her. She died later that night. After the funeral Mandy’s world seemed darker, grittier. She became angry at everybody and everything and began hanging out with other angry kids.
