The Butler

Chapter 12- Arduous Road

I was sitting down on the side of the hospital bed holding her cold hand.

"Mom. I know I didn't tell you anything about my school life, but I need you to comfort me and give me advice." I came clean about the whole bullying incident at school with Caleb and how Damon was my only friend.

I heard a knock on the door for the third time while I was confessing to my mom, but I ignored the knock. The door opened, and I paused.

"I'm sorry about the intrusion, but I heard murmuring. I need to talk about a few stuff with the family member of Regina Rise." A tall woman dressed in a white blouse and a pencil skirt walked over to me. "I'm Helen Smith. I'm the hospital social worker. We need to discussion which funeral will fit for your budget but will also be good enough for you and your loved one. I'm also aware that your mother was a good woman and already signed for organ donations. Unfortunately, she was a stage four victim, so we will have to examine her first before donating any tissues or organs."

I ignored her despite my anger bubbling up for speaking in past tense. She kept saying the word "was" as if she still isn't a victim and still isn't a good woman. We sat in silence while she patiently waited for me to decide on something.

The door was knocked, and I could hear it open. I didn't turn around to see who it was. If it was someone who was here to take her away, I would fight them with all my strength.

I could see at the corner of my eyes that it was a doctor, and I tensed. I possessively positioned my body so this person wouldn't be able to take her without a fight.

"Stella? May I help?"

I turned around and saw Dr. Klaine observing me as if he saw a little puppy guarding its mom. He held out his arms indicating he wanted a hug. I numbly trudged into it. The warmth penetrated my cold, numb barrier that I had up. The events that occurred this morning started hitting me that my mom actually passed away. I slowly brought my hands up to hug him back realizing I had no one in this world who would care about me as much anymore. I felt abandoned. 

He broke away from the embrace. "Stella, we need to decide a few things with the hospital social worker. We also need to discuss after this as well if you don't mind."

I hesitatingly nodded. I mumbled a few responses, but Dr. Klaine was the one who responded mostly for me. He was talking about insurance, and people he knew who can get a better price at better locations. They discussed for a few minutes while I stared at my mom. The woman finally got up and sauntered out of the room.

"Stella. I'm so sorry for your loss. Truly. She meant a lot to me as well. Do you have anyone that you can stay with?"

I shook my head. "I-I can stay by myself. I'm planning on moving once I pay back all the fees."

"Why don't you let me handle the fees? I kind of," he blushed and rubbed the back of his neck. "I want to be your guardian even if you're old enough to live independently on your own. I know you're a patient, but I always wanted to be closed to your guys. I really cared for your mom and you. Would you let me help you?"

I was stunned. I thought I was in this by myself, but I realized that Dr. Klaine was always there for me. He was the uncle that I never had. I deluded myself into thinking that I was alone, and if I died, no one would bat an eye. After the bullying incident, I had this self pity cloud over my head screaming that I was a girl who only had mom that loved me. No friends nor other family members. Then, my mom died in front of me, and I felt like my mom took my heart too. I wanted to die and join her because anywhere was better than here, but I now see a person in front of me that cared about me to try to pay his way into my life to show that I'm not alone. He had his awkward attempts to show that he cared for me, but I can see his intentions that he wanted to be a part of my life and mend my broken self back together. I guess my mom didn't take my whole heart. 

However, I shook my head. I didn't want him to pay for the fees. I, also, had no intentions of letting the money that he loaned to me from the surgery become bigger.

His face fell. "I feel like you're going to say no to this one as well, but I also have a condo rented out in LA. You can live there to get your feet back on the road. I know the road will be arduous, so I feel like if you had a place to stay at least for the first couple of months, you'd be better off." He finished it off with a sigh preparing himself for a no. He felt like he couldn't be my guardian.

"Okay. Thanks Dr. Klaine. Will you come visit me? I'd feel awfully lonely now that I don't have my mom," I said as I gradually got quieter.

He grabbed my hand and vigorously shook it with a beaming grin on his face. "Yes. I was actually planning on moving there. Of course not with you to the same condo. I'm looking to move into a bigger home. I actually got relocated. One of the hospitals there needed a doctor. I don't have a wife or child, so I feel like you're the closest thing. I'd also feel awfully lonely with you."

"Actually Dr. Klaine, to commemorate our friendship, I actually need to come clean. I feel like we should know what you're getting yourself into. What kind of person I am."

His face dropped. "Why? Did you murder someone?"

I would have found that funny if it wasn't for the fresh loss of my mom. "No. I need to tell you about what happened at school."

He looked at me questionably but allowed me to continue. Taking a breath, I finally confided in another person that I trusted and now found a huge place in my heart. The loss of my mom will not ever be replaced, and it will always hurt. However, I needed to keep moving on. A life was precious, and she would want me to keep living on and achieving great things. This was one promise I was going to keep. 

His face changed from looking shocked to heartbroken to fury. He got up and told me this wouldn't change how he felt, but I can see the visible anger he felt for Caleb. He left the room to allow me to mourn for my mom in silence. 

"Mom. I'm sorry that you fought for your life so hard, but I was going to throw mine away as soon as you died. I'm a weak daughter. I won't let you down again. I promise to do good in life and help others. I'll become a daughter that you'll brag about in Heaven."