Lola

THE PAST PEAKS

The hospital room was sterile and white, the air thick with the antiseptic scent of disinfectant. My mother lay in the bed, her once vibrant face pale and drawn. Adler, ever the picture of composure, held her hand, his chiseled features betraying a flicker of concern.

“It’s a pity I get to meet your mom in this situation.” Adler said.

“I didn’t know she’ll fall unconscious so soon” I said.

“When did she fall sick?” He asked me.

“I don’t really know, I just…” I took a deep breath, “she just informed me about the cancer’s return today” I explained.

“That’s too bad. Thank God someone was available to call the ambulance. It would have turned out to be an ugly incident” Adler said.

“A neighbor or someone around must have called the paramedics.” I quickly chipped in. I could not let Adler suspect that someone else lived with my mom, let alone my Son whom I have kept hidden from him.

Guilt gnawed at me. While Adler showered me with diamonds and affection, the truth about my past, about the life I led to support myself and secretly raise my son, Bryan, remained a festering wound.

“I’ll go see if I can talk to a doctor,” I said and walked out of the room.

“Miss Sanchez, your mom collapsed for quite a number of reasons but she can be discharged today. We’ll give a date for chemotherapy.” He paused, “that’s if you’re ready” He finished. I understood what he meant. He was referring to the financial aspect.

“Alright Doctor, umm just give us a date and the treatment will begin.” I said. I hope voice did not betray me. All I could do was hope…hope that somehow I will cover the expenses miraculously.

“Good. We’ll give her some medication and you can take her home.” He said. I nodded and turned to head back into the hospital room when a thought occurred to me.

“Umm wait please doctor…can you discharge her tomorrow instead?” I asked tentatively.

The doctor looked at me weird and said, “yeah… I can. Why?”

“I just prefer tomorrow. I will have more time to take care of her.” I answered

He definitely thought I was abnormal now. I’m very sure about that, gosh..!

“It’s the weekend!” I exclaimed in explanation.

He tilted his head,

“I will not have any work to do tomorrow but I have a lot to catch up on tonight so I might not be able to attend and care for her.” I said. Hopefully I sound more convincing.

“Oh! I see…” the doctor nodded, “cool, tomorrow you can take her home.”

Finally!

I walked back into the hospital room.

"Mom," I whispered, pulling a chair close to the bed. Her eyes fluttered open, a flicker of recognition replacing the pain-filled haze.

"Lola, sweetheart," she rasped, squeezing my hand weakly.

“Mom you’re awake,” I said.

“Yes, a nurse already came to check her” Adler said.

"You need to be strong." My mom started,

"Strong for what?" I asked, the words tumbling out before I could stop them.

A fleeting grimace flickered across her face. "Just be strong, baby. That's the most you can do for me now."

Her words were cryptic, but the unspoken plea hung heavy in the air. A million questions swirled in my mind, but holding them back felt like a betrayal. Adler, ever the businessman, cleared his throat, breaking the tension.

"Veronica, I've arranged for the best oncologist in the city. He'll do everything he can."

Mom offered a weak smile. "Thank you, Adler. You've been very kind."

“It’s nothing. It’s the least I can do for my girlfriend’s Mom” he replied humbly.

“The doctor said…” I started but had a rethink of my words.

“Said..?” Adler urged

“Umm, he said this hospital can treat her very conveniently.” I said. How dare he invite one of his fancy ass doctors here? Who was gonna pay their bills? Definitely not me.

I had barely convinced the doctor here to discharge my mom tomorrow so that Adler doesn’t offer to help me take her home and discover traces of my son.

“Uhh, Yes, I trust this hospital very much and I’m in fact happy that this is where you guys as a your family, get treated. It shows not only class but priority for your health. But the reason I called on this oncologist was so that he could double check. It’s better two people than one. After checking, he can go back to LA.” He explained.

“Thanks Baby,” I whispered.

“And additionally, I know him coming in may not be covered by your insurance and all like the treatments you get in this hospital and so I will pay him” he said

Phew! Deep breaths, thank goodness he was paying. And insurance? I laugh. Adler really thinks he’s dealing with a middle class family. I wish I could let him know that we, my family and I, were gradually getting to pauper levels!

What would he think if I told him that the little house we lived in was a gift from a past client? A client who did love my services so much that he decided to buy me a house. Tiny and compact, yes, but still a house. Wouldn’t Adler judge me?

Softly my mother looked at Adler and said, “you are a really good person. A very kind person. Thank you again” Adler nodded modestly.

Her words, spoken with a hint of irony, sparked a shiver down my spine. Adler, kind? In his own way, perhaps. But his controlling nature, his need to manage every aspect of my life, felt like a gilded cage. A cage I enjoyed because I was in love with him Yes. But it made me scared to open up to him about anything, especially my past.

As we left the hospital, the weight of my secret grew heavier. How much longer could I keep this charade going?