Eliah woke up in her bed.

She was sweating.

She looked at the clock. It was 11:59.

Eliah got out of bed and went to the bathroom. She threw up as always, then she brushed her teeth. She put on some make-up and dressed in a new, fashionable outfit.

Eliah went downstairs.

She found her mother in the kitchen, cooking breakfast.

"Good morning, darling," her mother said. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes," Eliah replied. "I slept like a baby."

"Oh, that's good," her mother said. "Have you decided on your future career yet?"

Eliah shrugged. "No, I haven't."

"Well," her mother continued. "If you don't choose anything, I guess you'll end up being a housewife. Is that what you want?"

Eliah shook her head. "I hate cooking," she explained. "I prefer to eat out."

Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

"Really?" her mother said. "Well, you're a big girl now. Maybe you should start learning to cook. It's not too late."

Eliah frowned. "Mother, why do you care so much about my future?"

"Because I love you," her mother answered. "I want to see you happy."

Eliah felt guilty.

"Mother, I…" she began. "Why are you always trying to make me feel better? Why do you care so much about my happiness? Don't you think I'm strong enough to handle myself?"

Her mother looked hurt.

"I'm not doing this because I want to control you," she explained. "I want to help you. I want to see you live a fulfilling life."

"How can you see me living a fulfilled life when you never let me try anything?" Eliah asked. "You always control everything. You control me!"

Eliah stormed out of the empty kitchen and went to work.

***