I open my mouth and contemplate saying that she’s mistaken, that every day is a joy, that I don’t worry nearly as much as she thinks I do, that she’s wrong to think otherwise. But when I focus on her stare, I can’t lie. Not anymore. She knew all along that I never wanted to be here in the first place.

I opt for a sanitized version of the truth. “Mom. I’m here now. I don’t want to be anywhere else, because you are my priority.”

I let out a slow exhale, relieved that my voice sounds as calm as I hoped it would. I pat her hand. “I’m going to get a coffee. I’ll be right back.”

When she looks up at me, I spot a hint of understanding in her eyes. Maybe it was never my dream to run a food truck at nearly thirty with my mom. But this is my life. I chose it. I’m working hard to succeed in this new path. I’m making my own way now. I’m happy with the independence I’ve forged and the fact that I can spend more time with her. And I hope that when I tell her that, she’ll believe me.

I slip out of the room and head for the cafeteria. Hurried footsteps trail behind me. I turn and see Callum.

“Mrs. Tokushige had to leave to go be with her family, but she wanted me to tell you that she’ll visit tomorrow to check up on your mum.” He grabs my hand in his. “Is she okay?”

I fill him in on her ulcers and her anemia diagnosis, as well as the fact that she’s been lying to me about being diabetic.

“Fucking hell,” he mutters.

“That’s a more succinct and colorful reaction than mine, but that’s how I felt on the inside.”

We walk to the cafeteria, and Callum buys me the biggest coffee they have.

“Thanks,” I say when he hands it to me. I stop a few doors down from Mom’s hospital room. “I just can’t believe she would lie to me about this. And for her to say she did it because I try to control her life, that’s just insane.”

Callum pulls his lips into his mouth. His eyes dart everywhere but me.

“What?”

He shakes his head. “I think she may have a point, Nikki.”

I stop mid-sip. “Excuse me?”

“Please don’t take this the wrong way, but all I’m saying is that I can sympathize a bit with what your mum is saying.”

I take a long sip of the muddy water that somehow passes off as hospital coffee.