Why her and not me?

I was born into an impoverished family in 1949, the sole support of my son, born in 1970, served three years in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam era, received a master’s degree and worked continuously my whole life.

In the 1960s Ms. R and two children arrived in Miami and received Cuban Adjustment Act benefits. She never worked a day in her life, drank beer and smoked cigarettes all day.

Her son works under the table, never paying taxes. My son has been at the same job for 26 years paying enormous taxes as he is single.

Ms. R and I came down with breast cancer at the same time, both requiring mastectomies and chemotherapy. Her treatment was free and she recuperated at home. I continued working to pay medical deductibles and taxes. Is something wrong with this picture or is it my chemo brain?

This story was originally published January 20, 2016 at 7:29 PM with the headline "Why her and not me?."