[h3][u]Kara[/u][/h3]

Kara was only starting her day, slicing a few fruits to add to her breakfast menu when her mother rung her up, her voice unnecessarily urgent.

[i]"Please tell me you've seen the broadcast?"[/i]

"Good morning to you too, mom."

[i]"Kara!"[/i]

"Yes, I saw it; part of it at least. I'm good, why wouldn't I be? I'm sure if there was something to be worried about, I would've already been alerted." She placed the knife down, licking a bit of juice from her thumb as to not wipe it off on her clothes. "You worry too much—"

[i]"This isn't a joke![/i]

"No, I know! It's just..." Kara stopped herself. They've had this very same argument before. Her mother, to compensate for the lack of a father figure for both of her children, had taken on the role and then some. It was suffocating, especially since Kara was well into adulthood at this point. "It's just that you don't need any more stress in your life, mom." Even though that much was true, Kara couldn't be honest with her mother. She really wanted to say "You're overbearing and you're only harming yourself" but that was too harsh and she was afraid it would damage their relationship in one way or another. 

She was met with silence and so she continued. "I know you want me to have another job, but I enjoy mine. And today I have to go in and complete some reports..." She heard a sigh from the other end of the line, "...but, what do you say we do dinner tonight? You two can come over and I'll make you something nice."

[i]"Well, I guess we can make it..."[/i]

She was reluctant, which was expected. Her mother liked to avoid trouble, and if people were taking to the streets, then going out, in her eyes, wasn't the best idea. 

"Okay, let me rephrase that. [i]If[/i] there aren't any major crowds out there, would you two come over?"

[i]"Sure. Yeah, sure, we'll go."[/i]

Alas, her spirits were lifted, or at least that's what it sounded like. Kara remained on the line for a few more minutes before ending the call with her mother. She would go on to finish her morning routine before heading to work, unsure of what the day would bring.