"And where the hell do you think you're going?" My mom yelled at me.

I attempted to get away but she grabbed a hold of my wrist. She then yanked me into the living room.

"Where did you come from!" She yelled at me.

"I stayed after school trying to finish a project."I looked down."It took longer than I thought, I'm sorry." I said.

"Bullshit." Derek said."You were probably out, whoring around with some guys."

"Shut the hell up, and don't you think we're done talking!" My mom yelled at him.

"This is why no one fucking wants to be with you! You're a crazy bitch!" Derek exclaimed.

"Don't talk to her like that, you jackass." I said, a little surprised with how harsh my voice came out.

"What the fuck did you just say to me?" Derek stepped closer.

"You think she's the bad one here but you're worse! How many times have I caught you cheating on my mom while she was gone?" I said and he stayed quiet.

My mom let out a gasp before I continued."What now? Don't feel so tough, huh?"

Right after I said that he launched himself at me.

He pulled my hair and shoved me to the floor."Don't you dare to ever disrespect me!"

His foot extended out and made contact with my stomach.My mother desperately begged him to stop but he didn't.

"Derek stop!" She yelled.

His leg hit my chest once more before he was pulled off me.I looked up and saw my mom trying to claw at him.

I tried getting up but my body wasn't responding.

My mother kept going but Derek soon started to hit her back.

I placed my hands on the floor and attempted to get up but I fell back down. My eyes widen as a loud scream pierced through the air.

My head turned as I saw my mother on the floor, clutching her stomach.

At first I didn't get it but then I saw blood pouring out from her stomach. Derek looked at me and dropped the object he had and ran out the door.

I quickly dragged myself to my mom as she held onto her self.

Her breaths came out short as she looked at me. She placed a hand on my check and smiled as if saying 'I'm okay.' My eyes began to water up as my head pounded.

I looked at my mom as her breaths started to slow down. I had to do something, anything.

I sat up and pulled myself up on the table next to us. My hands reached out to our house phone and quickly dialed 911.

"911 what's your emergency?" A voice said from the other side.

"My mom...she's been" I paused for a second as I felt nauseous."She's hurt. She's losing a lot of blood."

"Can you tell me what happened?'' They asked me.

"My mom's boyfriend, he stabbed her with something.'' My head spun as I tried to regain my composure. ''He ran out the door, I didn't see which way he went.''

''What's the address?''

''6415 W. El Paso drive.'' I answered back as my mom looked at me weakly.

''Okay I need you to stay put, we're sending an ambulance down.'' They said.

I was about to respond but I heard my mom groan. My chest started to tighten as I saw her lying on the floor just staring at me. Her eyes barley open.

''Hello? Ma'am are you there?''

I tried answering but a flood of nausea over came me. The phone slipped out of my hand as I collapsed onto the ground. The last thing I saw was my mom looking at me and hearing sirens in the distance.

Then.

Black.

~*~

I felt my self beginning to awaken.

My eyes opened but soon shut at the bright lights. I opened them again and saw I was in a room. A hospital room. Confusion took over me, but soon remembered what had happened. I bolted straight up and frantically looked around. To my surprise, Jason was sleeping next to me in a chair.

''You're awake'' A voice said startling me.

By the door, there was a middle aged man looking at me with concern. He stepped towards me and placed a clipboard down.

''How are you feeling?'' he asked while checking on the machines I was hooked up to.

''Where's my mom?'' I asked, completely ignoring his question.

The man looked at me before smiling sympathetically. ''She's currently in surgery. Her body was in critical condition when we arrived.'' he said.

''Will she be ok?'' I asked as my voice cracked a bit.

''To be honest with you, I don't really know. The way the object had penetrated her was close to one of her organs.'' he paused and took my hand. ''There might be a slight chance that the object may have ruptured her liver, which can cause life-threatening internal bleeding. We are trying our best to save her but in situations like this, there isn't always a happy ending.'' He looked at me, offering a small smile. ''So the best I can say, is to have hope she'll pull through.'' He squeezed my hand once and then left the room.

''Hey, how are you feeling?'' Jason said rubbing my arm.

''Like I'm on a rainbow.'' I replied in a cold matter.

''What happened?''

''I just remember coming home to her and Derek arguing. I know I had said some bad things to him for criticizing my mom. Next thing I know, I'm on the floor, watching my mom get stabbed by Derek.''

Jason placed his head down. ''I'm sorry I wasn't there.. If I would have accompanied you, I'm sure things could-hey, hey why are you crying?'' he said holding my hand.

''I honestly don't know.'' I said as more tears ran down my face. ''But that experience had me thinking, what if I really lost her? That thought has been in my head ever since I woke up and, it scares me. It scares me to think about life with out her.'' I said taking in a deep breath. '' I know she isn't the perfect mother but, is there truly anyone who's perfect? There may have been some bad times but, I remember the times where we did have fun, when we were a whole family. And I think that, having her here, nagging me about how I cant do anything, is better than seeing your own mother in a coffin.''

''Alex, trust me when I say this, you are a strong person. Whatever life throws at you, you'll find a way through it. So right now, I know you'll be able to pull your self through this because I'll be here helping you.'' he told me.

I smiled at him as I attempted to give him a hug. As I did, my body was overflown with pain. My body flinched as he touched me.

''That bastard hurt you badly, didn't he?'' Jason said, anger dripping from his voice.

''I'll survive.'' I said with a smile.

~*~

Tuesday morning rolled around and I began to feel better. The doctor told me my mom still isn't conscious yet so I had to wait a few more hours.

I waited a couple hours to be able to see my mom. Jason kept me company and made sure I was okay.

''Hey, are you hungry? If you are I could go down to the cafeteria and get you something.'' Jason offered.

Before I could respond, the doctor came in. He said I could go and see my mom but said I have to use a wheelchair. He assured me it was only for hospital regulations.

I felt relieved when the doctor had told me she pulled through. He said it was a miracle she made it. My heart just felt happy knowing I won't lose her.

As Jason wheeled me down the hallway, I began to get nervous. When we entered her room, she was lying on the bed, staring at the celling.

''Mom?'' I called out to her.

She lifted her head and let out a sigh of relief. A small smile spreads across her face as Jason rolled me next to her.

''Hi baby.'' She said holding my hand.

''How are you felling, mom?'' I asked concerned on what she went through.

''I should be the one asking that.'' She touched my cheek lightly. '' Are you okay?''

''I'm fine, I was only worried about you.'' I grabbed her hand that was on my cheek.

My mom looked at me, then the celling. She opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but she closed it.

''Listen..'' She said in a shaky voice. ''I know I haven't been the best mother to you and I hate myself for it.''

''Mom you don't have to apolo-''

''Yes I do, the way I treated you isn't a way a mother should treat her child. I'm so sorry baby, I'm so sorry..'' She squeezed my hand. ''If I could take back everything I said or did to you I would. I'd make sure I'd give you all the love and support you needed. I know there's no excuse on how I acted but, I really am sorry.'' Her cheeks became wet with tears. ''I hope, some day, you'll find it in your heart to forgive me. I'm not expecting you to do it right away, only that you think about it. And I promise you, I'll never treat you as bad as I did before. Things are going to be different now, I promise you.'' She finished while wiping a tear off my cheek.

I smiled at her and carefully embraced her in a hug. Making sure not to hurt her.

As we pulled back, I looked at her. She smiled at me as I smiled back.

I noticed her whole demeaner changed. Her eyes were now bright and joyful and I couldn't help but be so happy. Hoping that my real mother will soon return.

~*~

Around the afternoon, my mother and I were discharged. Jason drove us home and made sure we rested. But my mom was persistent on making me something to eat. Jason reassured her that he'll take care of it. So we both laid down in the living room while Jason made us food.

''That kid sure is something.'' My mom said.

''He sure is, huh?'' I said smiling as I heard Jason's terrible voice coming from the kitchen.

''I remember how you two would always do everything together, it was the cutest thing.''

''Yeah, up until he grew up into a big wimp.'' I said.

''I can hear you, jerk!'' He yelled from the kitchen.

My mom let out a loud laugh as I stared at her. She looked at me and smiled.

''What?'' she asked.

''It's just, I haven't heard you laugh in a long time.'' I blinked.

She was about to answer when Jason yelled. I bolted up from the couch and sat up. He came out running and ran back into the kitchen with a fire extinguisher. He then began to spray it on our 'food'.

My mom and I shared a look before we both busted out in laughter. Jason then came out of the kitchen with a guilty look. Meanwhile, my mom and I were still laughing. Jason pouted and begged us to stop.

''This is why I should've cooked.'' My mom said wiping her tears.

''Hey, I tried.'' He protested.

''And look how that turned out.'' She replied.

''I'm not eating that.'' I said as Jason frowned.

''I made that with love, Alex!''

''Then why did you burn it?'' I snickered.

''Why don't we order take out?'' My mom chuckled, reaching for the house phone.

As she stood up, she let out a loud groan. Jason and I were immediately by her side.

''I'm fine.'' She said as she went for the phone again.

''Hey, you need to take it easy. The doctor said the stiches are very delicate for the first week.'' Jason said, ushering her to sit down.

''You kids don't think I'm able to handle a little pain?'' She said resting her hand on her wound.

''Mom, you were stabbed. I think you're the strongest person I know.'' I held her hand.

''What about me?'' Jason whined.

''You literally tried to kill a bug yesterday with a plate. Not to mention the fact that you screamed like a girl.'' I told him.

''That's one time.'' He pointed out.

''What about the time when you cried about using the toilet saying, 'I don't want a monster to bite my butt'.'' My mom said as I laughed.

''That's-''

''Or the time you got scared when there was a leaf on your arm, thinking it was a bug trying to eat you.'' She reminded him.

''I was a kid-''

''Or when you-''

''Ok, ok I get it.'' He cut her off. ''You both are so mean to me.'' He grumbled as he sat down on the floor next to my mom.

''I guess I get that from my mom.'' I smiled as she sent one back.

''Mother? More like sisters...devil sisters.'' He mumbled as my mom lightly smacked his head.

''I swear you guys are so alike, it scares me.'' He complained while rubbing his head.

~*~

We joked around for the rest of the night as my mother and I acted as if nothing happened. Jason would also entertain us with his singing 'skills'.

I was filled with happiness as I was able to have full conversations with her. My mind was also overwhelmed with the fact I was able to see her smile, laugh, and call me her daughter. It really brought back old memories of us.

''Baby why are you crying?'' My mom asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

''No reason, I'm just happy to have the old you back.'' I held her hand.

She smiled and placed both her hands on my cheeks. ''Alexandrea Green Hernandez, My babygirl.'' She wiped away my tears and hugged me.

I fully began to cry in her embrace. Something I missed so much. Jason realized the situation and left the room. I held onto her, as if I was five years old again. My mom kissed my forehead as I cried.

This time though, it was no longer tears of sadness or despair, but of happiness.

Because in this moment,

The old caring, happy, and joyful mother I knew,

was finally back.