Fated

Chapter 3

After a few more tests and scans, I was discharged and sent home. I enjoyed the fact that I would be out of school for at least two months. Finally, some peace in my life. I hadn't forgotten about what Dr. Andrews said, that I was found alone outside. Last thing I remembered before passing out was that a guy had essentially "rescued me" and taken me from the bathroom. Was he the one that left me at the hospital and, if so, why didn't he stay with me or leave some information behind? I stared out of the car window watching the trees go by as I mulled over my thoughts. I must have dozed off because soon my mother was softly stroking my hair, waking me up.

"We're home baby. You have to get up."

I looked at my mother. In the last few hours, it looked as if my mother had aged a few years. She just looked so tired and drained. I felt a bit guilty as I looked at her. If I had just told her the truth from the beginning, then maybe things would have been different and we wouldn't be at this point. I sighed to myself, thinking how I can't do anything to change the past. My mother slowly helped me out of the car and into my wheelchair. I hated feeling so helpless and putting all the strain on my mom.

"Don't ever think you're a burden to me, Maya. You are my daughter, and I would do anything for you until the day that I take my last breath."

I looked up at my mom and smiled. It's as if she always knew what I was thinking. For a long time it has always been just me and my mom. My mom never really talked about my dad much. My dad was in the army, and one day he walked out the door and never returned. One thing, though, is that my mom always made sure to tell me that my dad would've been proud of who I turned out to be. I think she didn't talk about him because it was too painful. My dad passed away right before I was born, so from that moment on it has always been my mom and I.

My mom locked up the car and reeled me up to the front door of the house. Home sweet home. We lived in a house just on the outside of town. It was a regular ranch style house. When you walked into our home, it opened into a nice sized living room that had high ceilings and huge bay windows. We had a fireplace with a 70'' flat screen above it on the wall. There was a sectional that divided the living room and the dining room and off to the left was the archway that led to the kitchen. The kitchen had a crystal chandelier that hung over the center island. The island was made of gray and black granite built around the stove. One side of the wall had gray painted bricks, and was where the sink and fridge were, as well as all the black-painted cabinets. Off to the right side of the kitchen were French doors that led to the deck and the backyard. To the right of the living room was the hallway that led to the office, the three bedrooms and the main bathroom. My mom helped me onto the couch and handed me the remote. I went through the channels before I settled on watching Riverdale.

"Maya, I'm ordering Chinese food for dinner. Do you want your usual?"

"Yes mom, thank you."

I continued watching TV while my mom cleaned up around the house. Eventually, the food came, and my mom joined me on the couch while some movie played on the TV. The tension was so thick in the house you could cut it with a knife. I know my mom wanted to talk about what happened to me. I took a breath and let it out. It's not like I had a problem talking with her, or that I didn't trust her. I just don't like to worry her and, I know how she can get. I turned to look at her.

"I know you want to talk about what happened to me. I'm ready to talk."

My mom took a deep breath. I could already see the tears building up in her eyes.

"Who did this to you?"

My mom looked straight into my eyes. A look of desperation in her eyes as she searched mine for answers. I let out a sigh. I want to be open and honest with her, but would anything really change? I looked down at my hands folded in my lap and took a deep breath.

"It was a girl at my school. Her name is Kimberly. Kimberly Rodriguez. She's been doing things like this to me every day since the first day of school. I guess this time she went overboard. There was this guy, I didn't get to see who it was or anything, but he was the one that came into the bathroom and saved me. I think he was the one that also left me outside the hospital, but I'm not sure."

I looked up from my hands at my mother. I could see various types of emotions running across her face. Guilt, anger and sadness. It seemed like forever before she finally said something. She grabbed my hands into hers, looking deep into my eyes.

"I am so so so sorry you've experienced this. It is my job to protect you and I haven't done anything to that extent. If your father were here, he would be fuming at the fact that his little girl is experiencing this. Can you forgive me?"

I looked at her while tears fell from her eyes.

"You haven't done anything wrong to ask for my forgiveness. You are the best mom that any girl could ask for, and you bust your ass every single day to make sure that my needs are met. You keep a roof over my head, food in my stomach. I can't ask for much more."

"All I know is that this shouldn't have happened to you. Don't worry cause mommy will take care of everything."

I looked at my mother with that determined look on her face. Usually I would protest at her getting involved, but I could tell there would be no convincing her otherwise. We stood up a while longer watching old episodes of law & order and finishing up our food. I looked up at the clock to see that it was half past one in the morning. I looked over at my mom to see her soundly asleep on the other side of the couch. I turned the TV off and wrapped myself in the blanket my mom had given me earlier. I must've been exhausted, because next thing I was woken up by the sun shining through the windows. I looked over to see that my mother wasn't on the couch anymore. I guess she must have gotten up in the middle of the night and went to her room. I was lucky enough that my arm was still a little functional. I brought my wheelchair closer and slowly slid myself into the chair. I wheeled myself down the hall towards the bathroom. As I passed my mother's room, I could faintly make out her speaking to someone on the phone. Who could she be talking to this early in the morning?

"I don't care what you have to say. The agreement was that she was supposed to keep an eye on her and protect her, not almost kill her. Just know that there will be consequences to what has happened, so be prepared for what is about to come your way. Goodbye!"

I knocked on my mother's door and slowly opened it.

"Mom are you okay?"