Mia’s mother insisted she stay away for three months while her house was being remodeled. However, something wasn’t quite right. Mia shows up unexpectedly and discovers the door unlocked, the house oddly clean, and an odd odor in the air. Mia is going to discover a terrible secret.
I drove through deserted streets as the city was just waking up. Everything was bathed in gentle hues by the early morning light, but I couldn’t get rid of the sickening sensation in my stomach. There was a problem.My knuckles went white as I tightened my grasp on the steering wheel. I could still hear Mom’s voice in my head, replaying all those rushed phone calls and strange justifications. I’m sorry, honey, but I can’t stay over. With all these renovations, the house is a complete mess.”
But not seeing her for three months? It wasn’t typical of us. Her and I used to be as close as thieves. I waited at an intersection, wondering what had changed. Mom had always taken pride in our home and was always making improvements and updates. However, this felt distinct.These days, whenever she called, her voice always sounded exhausted. even depressing. She would ignore me each time I tried to push her on it.
“Mia, don’t worry about me. How is the major project at work coming along? Has that promotion come your way yet? I knew she was hiding something from me, but I had been too complacent about it.I was therefore going across town way too early on a Saturday morning because I couldn’t get rid of the overwhelming feeling that something was seriously wrong. My heart fell as soon as I pulled up to Mom’s house. Usually Mom’s pride and pleasure, the garden was neglected and overgrown. The rosebushes appeared as though they had not seen pruning shears in months, and weeds were growing through the flower beds. “How in the hell?” I whispered. After turning off the engine, I hurried to the gate.The tranquil morning was filled by the sound of my footsteps as I approached the front door. I tried the handle, and it turned with ease.
Unlocked. That was nothing like Mom. My skin tingled with fear as soon as I entered. Neither dust nor construction supplies were visible. There was also no trace of paint cans or a drop cloth. What fragrance was that, too? Citrusy and sharp. It was an overly antiseptic and immaculate facility. similar to a hospital.”Mum?” I yelled. Not a response.My gaze scanned the foyer, coming to rest on a well-known picture resting on the side table. I think I was seven or eight years old when we went to the beach. Mom was smiling and giving me a sideways hug as I smiled at the camera, my teeth showing holes from the sunburn. Fingerprints marred the glass, particularly across my face. It was strange. Mom kept everything tidy by constantly wiping everything down. However, this… The picture seems to have been touched extensively, almost furiously. A shiver went through my body.”Mum?” I called once again, more insistently. “Are you here?” At that point, I heard it. Something creaked faintly from upstairs. As I made my way up the stairs, my heart pounded. I could feel the silence closing in around me.
I made an effort to control my breathing as I made my way down the hall to Mom’s room. “Mum?” Now, my voice was hardly audible. “It’s me,” It’s Mia. When I opened her bedroom door, it felt like everything was tilting in one direction.She was there, in her bed, trying to sit up. However, this isn’t my mother at all. Faint and emaciated, her skin sallow against the white sheets, was the woman in front of me. Her gorgeous hair was gone, too; instead, a scarf was tied around her head.”Mia?” She hardly raised her voice above a whisper. “Your presence here is not authorized.” I stood motionless at the doorway, unable to comprehend what I was seeing.”Mum?
What happened to you, exactly? Her familiar brown eyes, now sunken in her frail face, met my. “Oh, sweetheart,” she moaned. “I didn’t want this to be how you found out.” I fell to my knees at her bedside and staggered over. “Discover what? Tell me what’s going on, mom, please. She extended her slender hand, and I took it in both of mine. It was as brittle as the bones of a bird.”Mia, I have cancer,” she muttered.Time stood still, and all I could focus on was the hollow sensation in my chest and how dry her lips appeared when she talked. I was having trouble breathing. She concluded, “… receiving chemotherapy for the previous few months.” “Cancer? However, why didn’t you inform me? Why didn’t you tell me about this? Her eyes filled with tears. “My dear, I didn’t want to burden you. You’ve put in a ton of effort to get that promotion.
I considered… I believed I was capable of handling this alone.I felt a sudden, fierce surge of anger inside of me. “Take things in your own hands? I’m your daughter, mom! I ought to have been present! I ought to have been aware! “Please, Mia,” she begged. “I tried to keep you safe. I didn’t want you to see me looking so helpless and… “Defend me?” With tears clouding my eyes, I interrupted her, raising my voice. “By deceiving me? by excluding me just when you most needed me? How were you able to accomplish that?Mom’s face creased as she began to cry as well. “I apologize,” she wept. “Mia, I really apologize. I believed that what I was doing was correct. I didn’t want to cause trouble. Careful not to shake her too much, I got onto the bed next to her and drew her into my arms.”Oh, Mama,” I muttered. “I could never look upon you as a burden. Never. We just held each other and cried for a long while as we sat there. The agony and terror of the previous few months erupted in a torrent.We eventually settled down, and I helped Mom settle down by giving her pillows to support her up. I made tea for the two of us after going downstairs, my head spinning from what I had discovered.
I sat on the bed’s edge in her room again and gave her a steaming mug. “So,” I murmured, attempting to maintain a calm tone. Tell me everything. right from the start. She did, too. She informed me about her amazement, dread, and diagnosis. How, even before I realized anything was wrong, she had begun treatment immediately in the hopes of winning it.”However, it spread so quickly,” she murmured, her voice quivering. “I was so sick by the time I realized how bad it was.” I softly squeezed her hand as I grasped it again. “Mom, are you blind? I cherish you. Each and every one of you. Even the terrified and ill portions of you. Particularly those sections. That is the purpose of family. She turned to face me, sorrow and love mixed together in her eyes.
“I simply… You know, I’ve always been the one with strength. You are amazing. I had no idea how to be someone else.Despite my tears, I grinned. It’s my turn to be the rock now, though. I’m not leaving, mother. Alright, we’re all in this together. With a faint smile pulling at her lips, she nodded. “All right.” Later that week, Mom and I moved back in together. Even though all we could do was keep Mom as comfortable as possible, I also took time off work and asked for every favor I could to get Mom the best treatment possible. We laughed and wept together, exchanging memories and stories during her last days with us. And I was right there at her side when it ended.”I apologize, Mia,” she muttered. “What I desired was… I didn’t bring you to Disneyland. I’d take you camping in the mountains, as I promised. I have violated so many promises.”It’s not
crucial. On the bed, I drew nearer to her. “What counts is that you helped me whenever I needed it. When I made a mistake, you always had the ability to put things right and make me grin. I gave it a smell. “Mom, I’m not sure what I’m going to do without you.” Her eyes snapped wide, and she gave me a shaky smile.”Mia, you’re going to be OK. You are such a strong girl, my dear daughter. I adore you a great deal. I wrapped my arms around her and gave her the tightest hug I could manage.
I’m not sure when precisely she vanished, but Mom was gone when I finally pulled away. I stayed there for a long time, rehearsing her last words in my head and attempting to cling to the warmth of our final embrace while tears tore at my body. Despite the fact that it was impossible, I tried to keep her with me.I think the toughest thing I’ve ever done was say goodbye to Mom. However, I wouldn’t exchange our time together for anything in the world. Since that is ultimately what love entails. It’s being present, despite difficulties. It’s being present, even in the most difficult times. It involves clinging tightly and refusing to let go.
