A Necessary Lie

Avery

The steady chirp of monitors mingled with the dramatic Spanish dialogue spilling from the mounted television.

My mother sat propped against a steep incline of hospital pillows, her eyes locked on the screen.

"Are we really doing *Love's Burning Passion* right now?" I asked, stepping inside.

She waved a dismissive hand without looking away. "Hush. Diego is right about to confess that he's