"Do you have Your Jacket with you?" Emily's mother asked for the third time, her voice laced with worry.
"Yes , mom. It's in my bag remember?? Emily said while smiling gently. "You packed it for me. Along with every single thing I could need." So please stop worrying I'm fine and I didn't leave anything behind.
Her mother let of a shaky laugh, as she brushed a loose strand of Emily's hair behind her ear. "I Know- I Know, it's just... so hard, watching you leave home to go so far away."
The final boarding call echoed through the terminal. ...."I have to go mom", Emily said. Her mother gave her one last hug almost not letting go.
"Mommm!! She said with a little laugh.
" Alright alright." her mom said while releasing her. she turned to the gate and back at her mom. I promise to call you as soon as I land.
"Tears welled up in her mother's eyes but she quickly blinked them away trying not to ruin the moment." I love you" her mother said.
"I love you too mom. Emily said as she turned and headed towards the gate.
"Stay safe...and....and don't forget to Call. And eat. And sleep. Her mother said with worry lacing her voice.
The girl laughed out loud hearing her mothers worries, how could she forget to eat and sleep. she turned around waving her mom one last goodbye before she went through the gate and disappeared from her mothers view.
FIVE YEARSLATER.....
The Airport doors slid open with the soft smell of the outside air, the sound of the suitcase wheels grinding against the marble floor could be heard by any passer by. Her suitcase rolled behind her as she smiled to her self, she took in the familiar air and scenery. It's been five years since she left the country and so far there isn't any significant change, she was happy to be home.
Her heart skipped with Joy and excitement thinking of her mothers reaction when she would see her, It had been two week since she spoke to her mother and she had no idea she was on her way back home, she wanted it to be a surprise since her birthday was just a week ago. It would be the perfect birthday surprise and she would get to see her aunt and cousin.
She reached into her pocket, pulling her phone out, but it was weird since the last time she spoke to her mother was a week ago through text .there where no missed calls, text. Nothing.
She tried to ignore the little fragment of worry building up in her chest, " Mom is probably just really busy with work or maybe the phone spoilt again, it even gives an advantage to the element of my surprise." She thought with a smile plastered on her face. The thought even made her laugh as she stepped off the curb. She already called for a car and it had just arrived. A car pulled up right in front off her as the driver stepped down to help her put her luggage in the trunk.
She slid her way into the back seat not able to control her facial muscles from smiling. She gave the driver her home address and the car immediately sped away. she rested her head lightly against the back seat window, staring at the flashing street light and buildings. She imagined her mothers reaction when she finally saw her, "would she scream? hug me tightly, call for my aunty.??
"PFTT" Emily laughed thinking of the many reactions her mom could give, grinning from ear to ear as excitement coursed through her thinking of their long awaited reunion.
***************
Like a zombie all I could do was stare at the tabloids on the hospital waiting room table. On the cover was the most popular playboy, always looking as handsome as ever, slightly tipsy looking , walking out of a club with a beautiful woman, on both sides of his arms, the flash from the camera reflecting on their shiny outfits, His hair parted from the parted to the side covering a part of his deep blue eyes, making him look mysterious.
Reed in Vegas, the title read.
The picture looked like it was from a different world , as I sat in the hospital's uncomfortable waiting room , the bright light almost blinding. It felt like they were in a different universe.
"Emily"?? A nurse called ,interrupting my line of thoughts, He's asking for you."
"I jumped up before she could finish her sentence, trying to gain my balance as the room spun around me, I hadn't slept for more hours than I could count. I had returned back home almost Twenty hours ago, Only to hear that my mum had being admitted to the hospital a week ago. No wonder she hadn't contacted me in a week.
Inside the hospital room, my mother lay unconscious on the bed, with tubes running in and out of her body, an oxygen mask covering half of her face.
I sat besides my mom taking in what she looked like, her lifeless looking body looking back at me, It hurt so much to see her like this," Mom was always the most cheerful person to be around, even when things where not looking so bright she would always shine so positively masking the situation, and she was one of the things I held the most dare in life, why didn't she tell me about her frequent visits to the hospital.??" A Tear rolled down my cheek, and I immediately wiped it away for the thousandth time.
She was the constant in my life, the only one I had left, It had always being me and her since dad left us to start a new family. And now she was in this hopeless state.
At the doorway I noticed my Aunt Katherine had appeared , her face puffy and red, looked like she had been crying. She was My aunt but not related by blood, she had been my moms best friend since they were little girls till now so it was only reasonable she would feel the same way as I do.
She walked up to me as I embraced her." What did the doctor say?" She asked. Looking over my shoulder at Mom.
"Aunt kath signaled for me to follow her into the hallway, I nodded as she led me out." With the blinding light coming from the hall way I took a better look at my Aunt. Her worn out clothes, dark eye bags and ruffled up hair could tell me she has been having a tough time taking care of mom.
"Listen baby....Aunt kath began. Holding my hand in hers. "You have to be strong for your mom, that's what she would want for all of us.
I nodded and took a deep breath as I listened to her.
"Your mom, ....the doctor says she has a heart failure and that she had a stroke, a week ago. We aren't sure how severe it is yet or how much it has affected her. "
Fresh tears rushed to my eye socket's, unable to control them they were already rolling down my face, I was quick to wipe it away , listening to what my aunt said.
"And with what the doctor tells me, it seems she was fully aware of what was going on with her, We learnt that she made frequent visits to the hospital, and purchased a large amount of drugs to help keep the condition under raps , but it wasn't enough. She needed real treatment And I am sure she didn't say anything to us not wanting to alarm us, Especially you Emily. She knew if she told you, you would drop everything you were doing and rush back home, she didn't want you putting a hold on what you worked so hard to get."
At this point my eyes had turned to a broken dam, unable to keep the stream of tears from spilling, no matter how much I wiped them away.
" What can we do? I asked my voice shaky and filled with desperation."
"We get some rest, you especially. Aunt Katherine said, looking at me. As soon as you got home and heard the news you made your way down here and haven't slept one bit. You need to rest, you know she wouldn't like seeing you like this. "
"I knew she was talking about my mom and she was right" Mom would freak if she saw me like this. Just then the doctor walked up to us.
"Can I speak to you for a second miss?" He was talking to aunt kath, she looked at him and back at me, her face with worry, something wasn't right. She wasn't telling me something.
"What is it??" I demanded. " What??
Aunt kath shook her head. Nothing you need to worry about, So go on home, I can handle things down here. " Go home and get some sleep, I'll call you if anything comes up" she said.
I sighed, I didn't want to leave but aunt kath was right, I really needed to sleep. We said goodbye to each other as I left the hospital scene and stepped into the city's cold air. Looking around as the lights illuminated me. This was the complete opposite of what I hoped for when I got back. I felt completely helpless.