Helped

The sound of the river at night,
easier on the ears than the  noise
of winds rousing their own rabble.
I eat a banana at the counter, 
waiting for the laundry to dry,
wondering how to pay off all
my debts so I can retire. 
After the death of my father,
we found out he had barely
anything left in his savings. I can't 
remember for sure, but my mother 
lay in bed for weeks. I can't remember 
either how I fended for myself or if 
I had any help; surely I had help? 
There's another memory of her, 
sick in bed; and I only seven, moving 
back and forth between her bedside
and the kitchen as she gave me
instructions on how to cook adobo.:
lay the chicken pieces in the pot.
Barely cover with soy sauce, 
vnegar, a little water. Throw in 
garlic cloves and peppercorn, a large
bay leaf. I don't remember how long
it took to make everything tender,
who poured the stew over a bowl
of steaming white rice. Somehow 
she survived, I survived. She 
is only recently gone, while
I am still here.