News had spread to close friends and some family about my
mother. Natalie took it as hard as Cameron and I did. Like I promised, I had
made the best of every day, but making it a point to see my mother as much as
possible. She was no longer able to work. She stayed home, or went outside or
drives with us only. Her health was rapidly deteriorating. She was losing
weight, she was starting to forget certain things. My dad would call me every
now and then and break down. We would cry together mostly, but it’s what helped
us get through this. We needed each other more than ever. My mother’s mobile
status wasn’t so good. She would occasionally need help getting up or laying
down. It was painful to watch. The person I held dearest to me, the woman who
gave me life, my mother…was dying. Almost every day I would end with a crying
session. A part of me thought about Cameron’s sanity, but he was amazing. He
not only would take care of me and help me get through the day by keeping me
busy, but he would hold me while I cried, he would drive me to my parents, he
would visit my mother when I couldn’t, he would take her to the doctor as did
Natalie from time to time. Natalie came over one day after visiting my mother,
sobbing. She told me that she helped my mother bathe. She needed help getting
in and getting out, washing herself. Natalie said that she held back her tears as
she saw my now frail mother in the tub, struggling to survive. I stopped
Natalie before she could tell me the rest. I didn’t want to imagine my mother
that way.
Although my
mother did give me the diary, I didn’t start reading it. I wanted to focus on what
time I had left with her. One evening, Cameron even came home with a pale face.
His eyes were bright red. I could immediately tell he had been crying while
visiting my mom. It was this visit that Cameron and his own mother, Diane had
gone to check on my mom. They were gone for about two hours, when he walked in
the door, he came up to me and hugged me tightly releasing held in tears.
Everyone who knew me and knew my family were emotional and provided their
support. Even Principle Hawkins called me to share her care and support.
Everyone’s
life had been put on hold, as much as I tried to normalize my life and just go
on as if everything was okay…I couldn’t. I put on a brave face for my mom and
would make her laugh, help her by doing chores around the house, she gave me
her recipe book. We were supposed to be preparing for Natalie’s wedding at this
point, but Natalie and Phillip both understood the situation and postponed
further planning, not only to be there for me, but for my parents as well.
Cameron started helping out at the restaurant by taking over my dad’s shift.
Jasmine and Larissa had been doing well in keeping me and my dad up to date on
the status of the restaurant. Many locals had been going more than usual, which
I think is because they’re showing their support for my family. The popular
menu item that would always sell out was Marie’s
Roasted Chicken Dinner. People started writing notes on the receipts such
as, Thank you for a wonderful dinner
Marie, and Our Prayers are with you
Marie, or your recipes are legendary.
We would read the messages to my mother. Her eyes would fill with joy every
time.
I got a
call from my dad, informing me that my mother was going to be admitted to the
hospital for 24 hour care. Her health was diminishing and was unable to do
certain things. Every day became a stronger reality that I only had a short
amount of time with my mother. During her first night, I brought a pillow and
my blanket. I wasn’t leaving my mother’s side in a new strange place. Cameron
wanted to stay with me, but I knew he had to go to work in the morning. I told
him to go and if I needed him or there was an emergency I would call him right
away. My dad sat in the chair on the right side of my mother and I sat on the
left of her hospital bed. She had her own room and bathroom, the nurses would
come in occasionally to check her vitals and symptoms. She was plugged into an
IV, she was barely able to eat anymore. My mother hardly had energy and could
barely talk. Her eyes were dark and skin was pale. Her hair began to thin and
feel coarse. I held onto her thin hand which was ice cold. She looked over at
me as her mouth twitched. She was trying to smile. I looked down immediately
and began to cry silently. I didn’t want her to see me sad, but it was hard to
see her this way. My dad stood up and paced the corner of the room. He was
crying too, but like me, didn’t want to show it.
“I’m going to get some food from the Cafeteria. Want
anything, son?” he asked me
“No thanks.” I said through heavy breaths
“I’ll be back, sweetie.” He said leaning over my mother and
kissing her on her forehead
My dad walked out of the room and closed the door. My mother
turned her head back to me. She saw my tears.
“Don’t…cry.” She forced her voice
“Don’t talk, mom. Please. Save your energy.” I urged her
“I’m not in pain.” She said with a raspy voice
“Do you need anything?” I asked
She gently shook her head on her pillow. She opened her
mouth, trying to continue to speak.
“Cameron…loves you so much.” She said
“I know.” I smiled
“Just like your father loves me.”
I looked into her eyes as they filled with tears.
“He loves you…” she took a deep swallow, trying to lubricate
her throat, “like your grandparents loved…each other.”
“I love him too.” I said
“He…wants…” she struggled, “to…marry you.” She smiled as a
tear rolled down her cheek
“I know…” I confessed, “I can see it in his eyes.”
“Don’t forget…to…save me…a seat.” She let out a raspy laugh
“I won’t.” I said crying
I continued to hold her hand as I looked into her eyes. So
much love, happiness and joy were behind those eyes. She smiled at me and I
smiled back.
“I’m…so…” she paused
“Mom.” I checked
“I’m…so….proud…of you…my son.”
I nodded my head, thanking her as I loosened tears which
fell onto the bedside. She never stopped smiling. I realized at that moment. My
mom came into this world happy…and she was leaving happy. She was in completely
serenity and she wanted us to know it. We didn’t talk for the rest of the
night, I just watched her as she slept. My dad returned and sat next to her
side once again and held onto her other hand.
“Are you okay?” he asked
I looked at him and gave a hint of a smile.
“Yeah. I’m okay.” I nodded, “Are you okay?”
“I think so.” He said
We then both looked at my mother again as she slept peacefully.
The room was silent except for the beeping of the heart monitor. I eventually
fell asleep at my mother’s side with my fingers intertwined with hers.
©
2016 Copyright J.M. Casas Jr. of Royalty Novels / The True Love Saga. All
Rights Reserved.
All characters and likeness
are pure fiction. Any resemblance is pure coincidence. Models and Actors used
in marketing material for the True Love Saga were used as inspiration and to
provide readers with an image of what the characters may look like.
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