Chapter 9 - Back home
1150 Words
Alice's Point Of View
“What do you mean doctor?” I asked in shock, my hands trembling as I spoke.
“I mean your mother is dying,” he said calmly, giving me a strange look.
I couldn't contain my tears and sobs as his words truly registered.
“Did you know?” He asked after a while, his expression softening.
“No… she didn't tell me anything…s…she was fine,” I mumbled, trying to explain.
There was a long pause, as he watched me break down not knowing what else to do.
“I have judged you wrongly Miss Alice, please forgive me,” he whispered, bowing his head.
It took more than ten minutes to calm down after hearing that news before our conversation could continue.
“What can I do for her,” I finally asked in a low tone, my hands still shaking.
“What does she need, surgery?” I asked again, refusing to believe there was no way out.
“You just have to give her the best care for the rest of her days, she doesn't have much time left,” he responded calmly, averting his eyes from mine.
Then it hit me, my mother was going to die and leave me all alone, just like my dad did.
It came with a strange calm, so much calm that it scared me.
“Put me through what her medication chart will be,” I responded calmly, looking right into his eyes.
He looked at me for a while before finally taking a deep breath, nodding, and proceeding to teach me what I needed to know.
“How are you feeling now Mom?” I asked in concern, as I returned to her room.
"She looks better, I mumbled quietly, breathing a sigh of relief as I tucked a loose strand of hair behind my mom's ear.
“I'm okay, I just want to go back home,” she whispered with a smile, the sadness in her eyes was unmistakable.
“You will be fine Mom,” I lied, trying to give her some relief.
“I will come visit you every day,” I assured her, sitting by her side.
She didn't respond, just stared blankly at the ceiling.
“Can I ask you a favor?” She finally said, turning towards me.
“Of course Mom, anything you want,” I responded anxiously, holding my breath.
“Can you please come back home with me?” She whispered wearily, her voice cracking as she spoke.
“I mean…move back in?” She asked quietly, looking into my eyes.
As my mind confirmed what my ears heard my heart broke in a little.
This was a difficult thing to ask and even my mom knew that.
“Mom…” I whispered quietly, taking a deep breath.
“I know but please….” She begged, squeezing my hand tightly.
I moved out almost immediately after my dad's death because I couldn't bear to see all the things that reminded me of him.
Moving back in would be opening old wounds.
“Give me a few minutes,” I said calmly, setting her hand back on the bed and standing to my feet.
She tried to reach for me but my back was turned and I walked away.
I needed some fresh air and a chance to clear my head.
“You okay princess?” A familiar voice questioned, making me turn around.
It was Reynolds standing next to me with two cups of coffee.
“I don't know,” I responded honestly, taking a deep breath.
“Sit down first,” he said calmly, handing me a cup.
“Thank you,” were the last words I said to him.
We sat there in silence for a long time and after a while, I stood up and walked away without another word.
I knew exactly what to do and how I was going to do it.
“Good Evening Miss Alice,” the doctor greeted me warmly, showing me to a corner of the hallway.
“Your mom is ready to be discharged, a nurse will be sent to your house three times a week but she must take all medications religiously,” he admonished sternly, tapping me on the shoulder as he walked away.
“Let's go home Mom,” I said with a smile, helping her to her feet.
It was a mix of sadness and relief because while she was being discharged, I knew she wasn't going to get any better.
“Welcome back Alice,” my mom whispered happily, easing herself into the couch.
Her so-called new husband was nowhere to be found.
We had to take a cab back because he had just settled the bills and left.
I scoffed silently, hating the thought of him.
“Does Mr. Smith live here with you?” I asked anxiously, looking around the house.
“Yes he does, he will be back soon,” she responded drowsily, closing her eyes to sleep.
“I don't think he will ever return,” I whispered under my breath, arranging her medication in the cabinet when I heard a knock on the door.
“My name is Margarita, I am the nurse assigned to your mother, I need to observe her for a full day before I go,” a familiar nurse said, as I opened the door and let her into the house.
“Welcome Nurse, please make yourself comfortable,” I said happily, suddenly thinking of an idea.
“Can you please watch my mom while I go grab some clothes from my house?” I asked politely, checking my watch.
It was getting late, and I needed to leave and return on time.
“No problem Miss,” she responded politely, closing the door behind me.
I hurried towards my house, grabbed all my essentials, and rushed back to my mom's house because I didn't want her to wake up and not find me around.
“Is she awake yet?” I asked the nurse, on my way in.
“Not yet,” she responded calmly, walking towards the sitting room.
“Any other visitors?” I asked curiously, remembering my mom's husband.
“No one Miss,” she replied quietly, excusing herself to check on my mom.
“I knew he wouldn't come back,” I whispered angrily, clenching my fist.
My mom seemed to have made another wrong choice.
“Wicked men,” I cursed silently, shaking my head in disappointment.
Not wanting to think too much about it, I decided to get settled in.
Our usually well-lit corridor was dark this time gloomy with a strange aura.
I walked quickly, reaching for the light switch, but suddenly a man dragged me into the storage room.
"Good Evening darling," a familiar voice whispered, causing chills down my spine.
- Writer
