“Nothing, Papa. Let me feed you first.”
But later, after Angela rushed back to the hospital, the doctor called her with excitement.
“Angela! We’ve prepared your mother for surgery.”
Angela stared at him. “But I haven’t paid.”
The doctor smiled. “An anonymous person settled everything. All five million.”
Angela covered her mouth and burst into tears. She dropped to her knees in the corridor, thanking God over and over.
That same day, she returned to work with relief still flooding her heart.
When she entered the house, Mabel was once again shouting at Papa James. This time, Angela could not hold herself back.
“With all due respect, madam,” Angela said, voice shaking with anger, “stop this nonsense. I have been quiet because I don’t want to lose my job, but today I don’t care.”
Mabel gasped. “How dare you talk back to me?”
She raised her hand to slap Angela.
Angela caught her wrist.
Everything happened fast after that. Mabel screamed, Angela pushed her away, and the fight exploded. It was not graceful. It was not planned. It was the release of too many insults, too much cruelty, too much helplessness.
Papa James, sitting on the bed, started clapping.
“Yes!” he shouted. “Teach her sense!”
