***
As the days progressed, Mom did as the doctor told her, and by the following Friday, she was scheduled to come home. Dr. Mitchell said that as far as the cancer spreading goes, we would have to wait and see. It didn’t take long.
Mom was home for two weeks before she was experiencing pain in other parts of her body. Since she was home, I was back to being tutored, and we went back to the same routine. By Mother’s Day, we all knew she was dying and the doctors had done everything they could. They gave her medicine to keep her comfortable, but it was all they could do.
My teachers did everything they could to ensure I would graduate. Classes are done, and it looks like their efforts weren’t in vain and I will graduate with my class. It’s hard to believe after I have missed so much school, but I’ve done all my assignments and have taken all the tests. Graduation is June sixth, and prom is June third. Dad insists I go, but I don’t have a date and don’t want to leave Mom.
It’s the Saturday before prom, and Jake came over to hang out.
“JJ, you should go with me,” he says. “I don’t have a date, and we can go together. I promise we can leave whenever you want so you can be home with your mom too.”
Before I can even answer, Dad chimes in. “That sounds like a perfect solution.”
“Jayden, it would mean the world to me if you went. I don’t want you to miss your senior prom because of me,” my mother says. Man, they are ganging up on me.
“See, you really don’t have any more excuses,” Jake says smugly. Who invited him anyway?
“Okay, fine. I’ll go.” I am so torn. Mom is getting worse, and we really don’t know how much time we will have with her. Dad has taken a leave of absence from work so he can be with her as much as possible. She goes in and out of consciousness on a regular basis, and the doctor says it could be any day.
What if she dies while I am gone?But then, I want to make her happy too. I hate that they are making me choose.
The next few days are more of the same. Dad and I hang out with Mom as much as we can. Two days before prom, I realize I need a dress, but I have to work at 3:00 p.m. Mom is asleep, so I ask Dad, “Would it be okay if I ran to the mall before work and pick up a dress for Friday night?”
“Of course, honey. How late are you working tonight?”
“Until nine.”
“You go ahead. I’ll figure out something for dinner. See you when you get home.”
“Thanks, Dad.”
Mom is still sleeping. I don’t want to wake her, so I step out quietly.
I head straight to the mall and try on the first dress I see in my size. I really don’t care what my dress will look like; I just don’t have anything formal to wear, so I need to get something. I pay for the dress and head off to work. All during my shift, I can’t shake the feeling something is wrong. I swear I look at my watch every five minutes, and time seems to be standing still. Finally, it’s time to go. I cash in my register and clock out.
The minute I walk into the house, I know something is wrong. Mom is breathing funny, as if she is trying to catch her breath. She has never done that before. I look at Dad.
“She’s been breathing like that since about six. She hasn’t been awake all day.” Tears well in his eyes. “I think we’re losing her. You better say your good-byes, sweetie.”
I walk to her bedside and sit on the edge. “Hey, Mom, I’m home.”
She doesn’t respond.
“I don’t know if you can hear me or not, but I want you to know I love you. Dad and I are gonna miss you so much, but I promise I will take care of him.”
She still doesn’t reply, but I watch as a lone tear trickles down her cheek.
I think she can hear me.I sit with her until about 10:45 p.m. or so, just holding her hand. There is no change, but her breathing appears more labored than when I first got home.
Dad comes to the bed and holds her other hand. We sit there and cry and eventually her breathing stops.
He checks her pulse. Nothing.
She’s gone.
Dad lets out a cry like I have never heard before. I want to do the same, but he needs me right now. I have to be strong.
I get up and walk to the phone and dial 9-1-1 for the second time in my life. I tell the operator I believe my mother has passed away and that we need an ambulance. The house is eerily quiet.
