Page 46 of One Reckless Night

I felt a lump rise in my throat. She was stuck in the past. Nearly thirty years ago.

I forced a smile. “Not yet. He’s still at work.”

She nodded, her expression dreamy. “Oh, that’s right. He’ll be home soon. We’ll go to the market, and you can see the lights. You’ll love it.”

I sat down beside her, taking her hand in mine. It was cold and fragile, like a bird’s wing. “Yeah, Mom. I’m sure I will.”

The nurse came in a few minutes later, her expression sympathetic. “She’s been like this all week,” she said. “She thinks it’s Christmas, and she’s waiting for your father to come home.”

I nodded, my chest tight. “I know. She’s been like this for a while.”

“Can we step out for a minute?” she asked.

My heart dropped into my stomach. I knew what was coming. It was the talk. The one I had been dreading for years. When her health started to fail, I knew it was only a matter of time.

“Of course,” I said.

The nurse hesitated, a sympathetic smile on her lips. “Dr. Pritchard, I need to be honest with you. Your mother’s health is declining. She’s not eating much, and she’s losing weight. We’re doing everything we can, but… I don’t think she has much time left. You’ve said you don’t want life-saving measures. Is that still your decision?”

I closed my eyes, the tears threatening to spill over. I’d known this was coming but hearing it out loud was like a punch to the gut. “Yes,” I murmured. “How long?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

“It’s hard to say,” the nurse said, her tone gentle. “A few months, maybe less. I’m sorry. These things are impossible to predict. Sometimes, it happens fast.”

I nodded, swallowing hard. “Thank you for telling me.”

I went back into the room. I stayed with my mom for a while longer, holding her hand and listening to her talk about the Christmas market. It was a memory from her childhood, one that had stuck with her even as everything else faded away. When it was time to go, I kissed her forehead and promised to come back soon.