Contemptible

I came home after a long day at school. Bunch of boring lectures, profs that don’t speak proper English, just overall not a good day. To make things worse, I got my term paperback and I got 14 out of 20. I expected an A for the time I put in. the comments that the TA wrote on my essay were as if she never even read it. I can’t complain, just have to work harder.
My mom had an appointment the following day to see breast cancer specialist, Dr. Nancy at the North York General Hospital. As I stepped into the door of my house, I was already in a horrible mood from my term paper results. My mom was scrambling, giving me an endless amount of chores and things to help her on. I was disgruntled and clearly showed it, reluctant to complete the tasks she gave me. I just wanted some alone time, peace and quiet but here she is bombarding me with tasks to fulfill. I basically told her that I’d had enough for the night and to just leave me alone. She yelled back, “With that kind of attitude, I’ll die even faster with breast cancer.”
I know it wasn’t how a well-trained soldier should respond, it isn’t how a disciplined athlete should be and it definitely isn’t a good example of what a good son should be. I woke up early next morning to make breakfast for my mom. I waited quietly and patiently outside her room, pacing myself back and forth thinking of how to apologize to her. She finally woke up and as she opened her doors and to her surprise I was awake earlier than she was standing in front of the master bedroom. I sincerely apologized to her for my impulsive behavior yesterday and led her downstairs to the breakfast I made for her. As she was sipping on the porridge I made for her, she told me, “I know you are stressed out, I know you have a lot going on in your life that you don’t tell me about, but I’m on constant worry about my health too. We can talk it out, we are a family but we don’t take it out on each other.” There was not a shadow of a doubt she was right, but inside I still insisted that I should keep my Mission to Afghanistan and my boxing career to myself.
I took my mom to see the breast cancer specialist that afternoon. It took that whole day from 12pm to 6pm. I noticed that my mom seemed a little tensed and nervous, so I went downstairs to the café and bought her something to drink to keep her mind off of it. Finally her doctor called my mom’s name; it was her time to go in. While I was sitting outside waiting, there was a group of ladies in their 50’s who were already diagnosed with breast cancer. Here they were with one of the most deadly diseases inside of them yet; they were joking, laughing and trying to make the most of it. My mom finally came out; I rushed to her and asked what the doctor said. She told me the doctor wants her to do a biopsy and reschedule an appointment back here when the biopsy is completed for the final report. It took 6 hours to find out she needs a biopsy…lousy health care system…but at least they are thorough.
As we drove home, I focused at the task at hand. I have to be in Philadelphia the next day for the promoters meeting for a potential boxing event. Better start packing…