Seeing Mom rush to the kitchen, too busy to ask me about the Hastings family for now, I finally copsed onto the couch. I waspletely drained.


    Quitting my job and moving out-why did everything have to pile up at once?


    I closed my eyes for a moment, trying to rest. In my half-asleep haze, I caught the familiar scent of food.


    Before long, Mom gently woke me. "Serena, get up and have some pies."


    Rubbing my eyes, I sat up. The sight of the steaming food in front of me made me even hungrier, and my stomach let out a loud grumble.


    I thought she would sit down and eat with me, but instead, she simply patted my head and said softly, "Go ahead and eat. I''ll get you some chowder."


    Then, she turned and went back into the kitchen.


    I ate in silence with a mess of thoughts in mind-quitting, moving, figuring out what to do next.


    The pies in front of me were freshly made. The pastry skin was thin, but the pies had been generously stuffed with filling. With each bite, the rich, savory gravy filled my mouth.


    My mother returned from the kitchen with a bowl of seafood chowder and sat across from me. She didn''t touch the beef pies. Instead, she just sat there, watching me with an expression so heavy it felt almost tangible.


    "Eat slowly. Don''t choke," she said softly.


    I nodded and slowed down, but I still couldn''t stop myself from finishing most of the pie in one go.


    "Mom, you should eat too." I gestured toward the remaining beef pies.


    She shook her head. "I''m not hungry. You can have them."


    I knew she was worried about me, but I didn''t know how to ease her concerns.


    "Mom, don''t worry. I''ll find another job," I said, trying to sound as upbeat as possible. "Maybe it''ll be even better than the one at Hastings Group."


    She forced a smile but didn''t respond. I knew she didn''t believe me, but I had to say it anyway.


    After finishing my meal, I gathered the dishes and got up to wash them, but she stopped me. "Go rest, I''ll do it."


    I sat on the couch, running through everything needed to take care of. First, I had to find a new ce to live. Staying here wasn''t an option anymore. Then, I needed a


    job something part-time so that I could finish my studies white working.


    Mom came out of the kitchen and sat beside me, hesitating before asking


    cautiously, "Serena, are you really okay?"


    I smiled and shook my head. "What could be wrong? It''s just a job change. Who knows, maybe I''ll find something even better?"


    She sighed but didn''t say anything more. I knew she wasn''t convinced, but all I could do was try to reassure her.


    "It''ste, Mom. You should get some sleep." I took her cold hand in mine, and her thin fingers made my heart tighten. She had lost weight, and her knuckles were even more


    pronounced now.


    She shook her head with exhaustion in her eyes. "Serena, I can''t sleep. I just..."


    I knew exactly what she wanted to say-that she was worried about me. Before she could continue, I interrupted, "Mom, it''ll be okay. Thing@always work out in the end. If you don''t sleep, you''ll just end up


    with a headache tomorrow.


    Gently but firmly, I helped her into her room, tucked her in, and pulled the nket


    up around her.


    I leaned down and kissed her forehead lightly. "Good night, Mom."