Adopted love

Chapter four - I'm worried for you

Josh's POV:

For the past week, my mom has been at home. She comes back from work and spends time with us. I appreciate it, but I wish she could go out more. I'm sure she has friends. Every person has. My sister and I go out with them while our parents are working. I can go out at night, but my mom will want to spend some time with me. Honestly, I don't mind that at all. Some parents barely pay attention to their kids. It might sound ridiculous. Well, she is my best friend. I mean, I have told her everything. Let's say that we made a deal. I will tell her what is happening to me. Well, if she does the same. Up to now, everything has been working perfectly. We understand each other well. The problem with all this is that my dad doesn't have time for us. That's why my dad's turn will never come since my mom is always with us. Rosie got used to her so much that no matter what my dad does for her, she will always compare it with how my mom does it. I have talked with her about that but without a result. My mom is the one to blame here. She is spoiling my sister with attention. Every kid loves this. That's why I can spend time with my dad while she is with her. That way, he won't feel isolated. That's why I still have to talk with my mom about that. I love her, but she can't always be with us. Her social contacts slimmed to zero. I don't remember the last time she went out with friends. Telling her what to do is not my job, but I am worried for her. I have to be brave and tell her how I feel. Maybe she will understand. What can happen is for her to take my words the wrong way. That is not something I want to happen. I have good intentions. All I want is to help her. My dad can take care of us while she is outside. After all, he has to do something as well. I hope this is some phase and my mom will go to her ordinary life.

It's the weekend, and I don't have any plans. I will try to convince my mom to spend the day with my dad outside. Probably she won't listen to me, but I have to try. She can't stay inside with us all the time. Mom will do it if we tell her we want to be outside. She is a great mother but doesn't want to rest. I understand she loves us, but being with us is not the only way to show it. I will talk with her about it. Hopefully, she will understand me correctly.

I woke up and went to get dressed. After that, I made my bed and went to the bathroom. Usually, I check on Rosie to see that she is awake. I won't do it today. I will let her sleep. In that case, I will go for food. My dad was already there, making something. I see him rarely in the kitchen. Mostly my mom takes care of this. She cooks amazingly. No wonder why Rosie loves her food. Well, it's good to see that he is helping her. Probably she is still sleeping.

- Good morning. Where is your wife?

- Ask your sister.

- Why?

- I woke up alone.

- What do you mean?

- That your mom wasn't in bed when I woke up. Go upstairs and check it on your own.

- What?

- Go, and you will see.

I did what my dad told me. I slightly opened Rosie's door and saw her snuggled in my mom. Now I understand. We need to talk with her. She wants to be always with us, but that is too much. My sister will be eleven soon. Mom has to let her go one day. I mean, she can't keep her next to her. Also, none of us will move out soon. She will see us every day. I closed the door and walked back to the kitchen.

- Did you understand?

- I do. I will talk with my mom about this. Hopefully, she won't get offended.

- I don't think so.

- We'll see.

After an hour, all of us were around the table. Rosie wanted to sit on my mom's lap while she was eating. I won't say anything in front of her. I looked at my dad, who immediately understood what I meant. I love my mom, but she can't keep doing this.

- Rosie, what do you want us to do? - my mom asked her

- Can we play with my dolls?

- Sure.

- Um, mom?

- Yes.

- Can we talk?

- Now? I will play with your sister for a while and will come later.

- Mom, please. It's important. I want some attention from you too.

- Why didn't you say that? What do you want? I can cook you something.

- Mom! Calm down.

- I'm sorry.

- Dad, will you play with Rosie?

- No problem.

- But I wanted to do it. - my mom said

- You will do it later, ok?

- Ok, I guess. I will miss you.

- Mommy, I am in my room. You can come to see me.

- I will do it soon. I promise.

I waited for my dad and Rosie to leave. I have no problem talking in front of her, but I prefer not to do it. She might think I am insulting my mom, which is something wrong. I looked at her. She was worried. I won't do anything to her.

- Mom, are you ok? Why are you worried?

- I'm not. For what do you want us to talk?

- I hope you won't understand me the wrong way. I think you spend too much time with us. Rosie is not a little kid anymore. You are spoiling her way too much. Also, that way, you don't give my dad any chance to spend time with her. I want to know what is going on with you, mom. Before, you used to go out with friends. Where are they now? I don't think they left you.

- Am I on interrogation or what?

- Mom, I am worried for you. Please, talk with me. I won't tell anyone. You barely take a rest. When was the last time you and my dad went out together? I'm not saying you should do it all the time. The thing is that he wants your attention too.

- Look, I don't want to talk about this.

- Then how can I help you?

- I'm fine.

- No, you're not. I see it. Mom, what happened? Don't you want to talk with me anymore? I am not Rosie. You can share it with me.

- Please, don't insist.

- If I don't do it, you will fight this silent battle alone. All I want is to help you.

- She might die, ok? Leaving three kids alone.

- What? Who do you mean?

- Lesley. My best friend got hit by a car. For the past two months, she has been in a coma. - my mom said with tears in her eyes

- Why didn't you tell us anything?

- To tell you what? That she might die? Is this what you want to hear?

- We can help you.

- How? If you don't do anything to save her, you can't help me.

- Is this why you spend so much time with us?

- She has three kids. You don't know what might happen the next day. Then I decided to spend as much time with you as possible. If something happens to me one day, I want to know that I have spent time with you.

- Mom, I understand, but I promise you that nothing that bad will happen. Everything will be fine. She too. It might take her some time to recover, but she will be fine.

- Thank you, Josh.

- Does my dad know about this?

- No, I haven't told him.

- I suggest you do it. He is worried about you too.

- I know.

- Do you want us to go and see Lesley?

- Really? Will you do this for me?

- Of course. I will drive.

- But you can't.

- I still have a license. The thing is that I don't practice much. Don't worry. I will be careful.

- Ok, then. I will tell your dad that we'll go out.

- I will do it. You can go and get ready.

I walked upstairs to see my dad. He was dressed as a king. I see how much he likes it. I told him I would go out with my mom for a while. That is not something Rosie should hear. We can talk with my mom. Well, if my sister takes a nap in the afternoon. I went downstairs and saw my mom waiting for me. I smiled at her and let us to the car. I don't drive that often, but I am careful. Now I have to open my eyes. Mom is worried enough. I don't want to stress her more.

Soon we arrived. Mom showed me the room where her best friend was. Things are bad. She looks in heavy conditions. Hopefully, everything will be fine with her. I noticed how my mom's mood quickly changed. She cared. That's why she is treating us this way. She transferred that from her best friend. I took a chair and sat next to her. I can't do anything, but I won't leave her. Mom needs to know that I'm here.

- She will be fine.

- I hope so. She can't leave me.

- That won't happen. I promise you.

- Thank you for coming with me.

- No problem.

Mom and I were talking when I noticed that Lesley's hand had moved. Is it possible that she is waking up? I don't know how people wake up from a coma, but maybe she has a chance. I thought I imagined things, but it happened again. This time my mom saw it too. She told me to stay here while she called the doctor. After ten minutes, he came with a nurse.

- What is going on? - the doctor asked

- She moved her hand. I think she might wake up. - my mom said

- Ok, let me see. She is getting better. Her heart rate is well too. Maybe she will wake up in the next couple of days. I will keep an eye on her. For now, I can't do anything else. I have to wait until she wakes up. Then I can continue with her treatment.

- Ok, thank you.

- No problem. I will go now. Call me if you notice some changes.

- Yes, sure. - my mom said, and the doctor left

- See? I told you she would get better.

- Thank you. From now on, I will always bring you with me. It looks like you are my lucky charm.

- I won't be so sure, but I appreciate it.

- I love you.

- I love you too, mom.

My mom and I stayed in the hospital for a while. Later, we walked home. I left her to talk with my dad. Then I went to check on Rosie. She was sleeping. In that case, I can do something else. I have some schoolwork, so I better do it. Dad and Rosie had already eaten lunch. I don't want to eat anything now. I was about to start my work when Austin called.

- Hey.

- Hey. Do you want something?

- Maybe.

- Ok, but I wanted to do some schoolwork.

- I want to go out. Your friend cut me off.

- You can come home if you want.

- What else? To do your work.

- I didn't say that.

- Why all of you became so boring?

- No, you are bored and have nothing else to do. Look, when I finish everything, I will call you.

- No, thanks. I'll be good.

- Ok, then. Bye.

- Bye. - Austin said and ended the call

I did my work for two hours. Later, I went to check on my mom. She was taking a nap as well. I looked at my dad and winked at him. I think they found a solution. Sharing your problems is not that bad. It helps you feel better. It's like getting off something heavy from your chest. I went to make myself a toast. We'll eat dinner soon, so I better not eat much.

When my mom woke up, she went to make it. This time, I wanted to help her. It's not like I can cook. Well, I can still do simple things. I'm not that bad.

- Ok, you can cut all the vegetables into cubes.

- Small or big.

- Small, but not tiny.

- Is the size of my thumb good enough for measurements? - I asked, chuckling

- Use half of it. - my mom said and laughed

- Hopefully, it will work.

Dinner was ready in an hour and a half. Two people work faster than one. I didn't do much, but it was enough. I think I got used to spending time with her. As much as I like it, my mom needs her social life back. I don't know what she does with her friends, but it makes her happy. Maybe they will start going out again when her best friend gets better. I don't understand why she didn't tell us, but I'm glad she decided to open up. It was better than keeping it for herself.

Mom and I set the table. Dad was playing with Rosie. We called them, and soon everyone was around the table. The food looks good. I'm sure it will taste the same.

- Mom, you need to go to a cooking show. - I said

- Thanks, but I don't have time for this.

- I will help you.

- I will let you do it only if I'm sure we'll win.

- Well, I will try my best.

- You better do it.

- Mommy, I want more. This was delicious. - Rosie said

- No problem, but let me clean your face first.

- Mom, she can do it herself.

- Josh, not now. Please.

- Ok. We'll talk about this again.

- Thank you.

- If you want, we can go for dinner tomorrow. - my dad said, looking at my mom

- Yes, sure. The kids will like it.

- Mom, he meant only you two.

- Oh. Um, I will think about this.

- Don't worry. I will take care of Rosie. It won't be my first time.

- What will you eat?

- We'll be fine. You don't have to worry about us.

- I want to be sure that everything is fine.

- It will be. I promise. You and my dad need to go out more often.

- Ok, fine, but we won't stay outside much.

- No problem. Thank you. - my dad said

- You're welcome.

The rest of the night, all of us were at home. Mom wanted us to watch a movie together. It's not like I mind. After all, it has to be something suitable for Rosie. I appreciate what my mom does for us, but she has to think about herself too. I understand that what happened to her best friend makes things hard for her, but she has to move on. We can't help all the time, even if we want it. I'm sure Lesley will be fine. Soon, both my dad and my mom will be together again. I'm glad that she found such good friends. That is important. I hope that with time, my mom will go to her ordinary life.