Eleven O'clock. Perfect.

I have a list of things to get done today before I can stop by the nursing home where my mother is. She has Alzheimer's Disease, and when it first started, I was able to take care of her. But since she’s forgotten who I am and where I live, I had to place her in the nursing home for her safety. I now visit her every Saturday afternoon.

At least I don’t have to worry about the monthly payment for the nursing home. The money my father sends from Russia every month covers it. I had to sell our house and move into a smaller apartment, so my own income would be sufficient for my personal needs because I still haven’t told my father about my mother’s deteriorating health. He hasn’t been well, and I don’t have the heart to make my problem his.

I could always reach out to Yuri, my half-brother, but we’ve never actually been close growing up, and it would just feel awkward.

Besides, it’s not like I’m struggling. I like the smaller apartment. It’s easy to keep clean, and I don’t feel as lonely as I did in the bigger house.

Making sure I have everything I need, I leave my apartment and make my way to where my scooter is parked. I strap on my helmet and climb onto my scooter. Starting the engine, I carefully move onto the road, and soon I’m zipping from one place to the next.

There’s a smile on my face as I stop at my favorite Starbucks to grab a vanilla latte. I love my independence and being able to do what I want whenever I want. My life is exactly the way I like it, uncomplicated. I don’t have any close friends, but I have many acquaintances I can hang out with whenever I feel like a night out on the town.

Besides my mom and dad’s deteriorating health, I have no other problems.

I’m happy.

Walking into the Starbucks, I head over to the counter.

“Hey, hon,” Jessie, the barista, says, grinning at me.

“Hi.” I glance around at the other patrons. “You’re not as busy as I expected.”

“You just missed the rush. The usual?” she asks.

“Please.” I smile at her before I look at the selection of food on display. “Let me have a chocolate chip cookie as well.” I take the right amount of cash from my wallet and hand it to her.

“Your order is coming right up.” While Jessie prepares my beverage, she asks, “How’s work?”

“Good,” I reply. “I got to do a bridal party’s makeup this week which was awesome.”

“Oh, great. That must’ve been fun.”

“It was.” Mostly I’m glad they didn’t complain about the fee I charged. I’ve just increased my prices and was worried it would make it more challenging to get work.

Jessie hands me my latte and cookie. “We should hang out sometime.”

“Sure, I’ll give you a call,” I reply. I take my order and head to the first open table I see. Sitting down, I enjoy my beverage while nibbling on the cookie. I go over the list of things I had to do, and I only have one stop left before I can go to the nursing home.