From the other side

As she came to, the warm scent of food filled her nose. Her stomach grumbled, a reminder of how little she'd been eating lately.

She pushed herself up, the lingering exhaustion making her movements slower than usual. She looked around, realizing she was alone in the room.

She got up, her movements feeling a little lighter than the day before. The scent of food grew stronger as she stepped out of the room.

Following the smell, she made her way to the kitchen, the sight of her daughter standing by the stove making her heart flutter.

"Eat" that was all

She took a seat at the table, her stomach rumbling at the sight of food.

"Thank you, sweetheart" she said quietly, as she started eating. The food tasted amazing after days of eating nothing substantial.

When she finished the girl sat in front of her at the table, her face serious. "I have no idea what the fuck is going on, but I'm furious."

The unexpected change in the girl's demeanor caught her off-guard.

She looked at her, her own expression turning serious at the girl's words.

"What do you mean, sweetheart?" she asked, her voice quiet.

"What do I mean? Kamala what do i mean? I found you half fucking dead yesterday, not able to move. I was fucking wondering is it time for an ambulance or a morgue."

Her words stung, hitting her like a slap.

"Liz, I-" she tried, her voice faltering.

"I'm fine" she said quietly, avoiding her daughter's gaze.

"I'm just tired, that's all".

"For the love of fucking God" she yelled hitting the table

The sudden outburst made her flinch.

"Please, sweetheart, calm down" she said, her voice pleading.

"Everything's fine" she repeated, even as the lie tasted bitter on her tongue

"Do you think I am fucking stupid? Quit the bullshit."

Her daughter's swearing made her stomach twist with guilt.

"Language" she said on instinct, before realizing the irony of her own words.

She took a deep breath, her voice quiet.

"I know I look bad, but I'm fine. Really."

"Fucking language? That's your concern? Kamala Harris I am ashamed of you. Hospital or a morgue!"

Her words cut her deep, her daughter's anger and disappointment stinging her.

"Sweetheart, I can't-" she started, her voice faltering.

"I'm not that bad, I just-" her words trailed off, her own guilt making it hard to speak.

"Oh why do i fucking care. I've had enough Kamala, you're lying to me, non stop like I'm your enemy."

A wave of guilt washed over her at the girl's words.

"I'm not lying," she protested weakly, but even as she said the words, she knew there was truth in her daughter's accusations.

Her own exhaustion, the weight of her responsibilities, the burden of her work, it had all been bottled up inside of her, and now it was bursting to the surface.

She didn't want to hurt her daughter, but the truth was, she couldn't admit how badly she was doing.

"Hospital or a morgue, that's the choice you left me. I was wondering am i burying my mother already"