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Not knowing what to expect, my chest constricted when Mom’s gray eyes opened, and she turned to look at me.
A brilliant smile curved her lips instantly. “My baby!”
Her words made me feel like a ten-year-old boy again, and letting my bag fall to the grass, I knelt before her, pulling her into my arms. Emotion stirred in my chest as she hugged me with the same love I had once felt from her, but I held it back, enjoying the warmth of her embrace.
“My beautiful baby boy,” she whispered in my ear, voice filled with the same emotion I was trying to restrain. Cradling my cheeks, she kissed me all over, and finally leaned away to look into my eyes. “Oh, baby, you are so big. I’ve missed you so much.”
“I miss you too, Mom. I’m sorry I haven’t been able to visit more often. Work has been insane and—”
“I don’t care,” she interrupted, happy tears falling from her eyes. “You came to see me and that’s all that counts.” Mom smiled at me again with such joy that it broke my heart, before throwing her arms around me.
Her smile was worth everything…
Our gazes followed the red ferry boats in the distance while my mom and I talked. We’d been sitting under the tree for the past hour, sharing, reminiscing, laughing, and watching the boats in the horizon. Her head rested against my chest while I hugged her to me, holding her hand.
Sarah had been right. Today was a good day.
This place was good for her. It was so tranquil here, they treated her well, and took better care of her than I ever could. It didn’t matter how many extra shifts I had to work, the things I deprived myself of, or how many busses I had to take to save money and keep her here. As long as she was safe and happy, I’d continue to sacrifice everything for her.
“You look beautiful, Mom,” I commented, glancing down at the red-flowered dress she wore.
Her eyes twinkled with the compliment. “This old thing?”
Grace and I chuckled.
“She suspected you were going to visit today and asked me to bring her a dress from home,” the nurse explained. “She wanted to look pretty.”
“She always looks gorgeous,” I added, kissing Mom’s temple. “She doesn’t need a new dress for that.” Suddenly, her words settled. “Wait, you bought her a dress?” I asked, concerned. “How much do I owe you?”
Grace waved at me dismissively. “Don’t bother. My daughter always gifts me dresses, but I’m here day in and day out so I rarely get to wear them. Besides, best friends share clothes all the time, right?”
“And shoes. It’s a woman thing,” my mom answered, and they exchanged a conspiratorial glance, chuckling afterwards.
“Okay.” I chuckled with them. “Thank you.”
“No need to thank me,” Grace assured, lifting a hand to her updo. “We did each other’s hair too.”
“You did?”
“Yes. You like mine?” Mom asked and I glanced at the perfect waves her usually straight hair sported. It was held on the sides with a flower barrette that made the curls cascade down her shoulders.
“It looks great on you, Mom.”
“Thank you. I wanted to look my best for my boy.” After placing a kiss on my cheek, she leaned away, a hand gripping her left hip. “Brax, would you help me up?” Her eyes closed, and she moaned in pain. “I’ve been sitting here for too long.”
“Oh, I’m sorry. I should have noticed,” Grace apologized, standing immediately.
“It’s okay, I got her,” I offered, standing too.
“Not your fault,” Mom assured. “We all got distracted. We were having such a good time talking.” She smiled but the pain was present in her expression.
Once up, I wrapped an arm around her back while she reached for the wooden cane on the ground, propping herself up at the same time that I pulled her with me. When I held her up, the blanket that had covered her fell to the ground, revealing the disfigured skin along her right arm and leg. She was barefoot, and her numb leg dragged over the earth as her nurse quickly placed the wheelchair behind her.
My core shook with the sight.
Dragging my eyes away from the reminder of the worst night of our lives, I helped her sit on the chair, and lifted her idle foot to the footrest. I picked up the blanket next, and swiftly draped it over her right arm and her legs, covering her once more. She hated people looking at her scars.
I took my place on the bench next to her, taking her hand in mine again, and kissed it. Silently, I hoped her zen state hadn’t been ruined by the pain. “Feel better now?”
