The Scuba Tank Was Turned Off

I sent over a hundred messages to my wife, Ruth Quarmby. I refused to rest while waiting outside the operating room that held my mother-in-law, Adeline Quarmby.

Every call I made to Ruth went unanswered for the entire night.

I kept calling her relentlessly.

[Something happened to Adeline. Where are you?]

[The doctor says the situation might be critical. You need to get here now!]

When my calls would not go through, I sent texts. All were left unread.

My hands trembled. My mother shared the same first name as Ruth’s mother, Adeline. She said, “Zac, this is all my fault! If I hadn’t given my diving spot to Adeline, this wouldn’t have happened.

“I was the one who was supposed to pay for this. If anyone should’ve gotten hurt, it should’ve been me.”

My mind was a complete mess.

To begin with, my mother had just recovered from a serious illness. She had not traveled in over a year.

I thought I knew what was best for her. So, I signed her up for Ruth’s diving program. I wanted her to see the wonders of nature.

But then Adeline, Ruth’s mother, found out about it and accused me of favoritism.

“I haven’t gotten a single day of happiness since my daughter married you! You buy a spot for your mother but not for me?

“Your mother is old and fragile. The diving opportunity should’ve gone to me!”

I knew I had overlooked her this time. So, I promised her I would arrange the next one for her.

Adeline pretended to agree. But behind my back, she did the exact opposite.

She stole my mother’s gear from the locker room and went into the ocean with Craig Smith.

She had never received professional training for scuba diving.

So, when Craig played his prank, she panicked and drowned.

My mother wiped away her tears. “I’m not just worried about Adeline. I’m also worried about how this might affect your relationship with Ruth.”

I knew how close Ruth was to her own mother.

Her father died young, and her mother raised her alone.

Even in the early days of our relationship, Ruth made it clear that she would not marry me unless we agreed to let Adeline live with us.

“Anyway, it’s almost noon. I’m going back home to cook.

“If Ruth shows up, try to comfort her.”

After she left, Ruth finally arrived.

Unlike me, who looked disheveled and worn out from travel, Ruth had perfect makeup and an indifferent expression on her face.

She did not look worried at all.

“I’ve been trying to call you, but I just couldn’t get through! She’s still in the operating room.”

I stood up to explain the situation, but I noticed Craig behind her.

“Why did you bring him here? Hasn’t he done enough?”

In sharp contrast to my frustration, Ruth said indifferently, “I brought him here to apologize to your mom.

“Craig is young and doesn’t know any better. But he didn’t do this on purpose.”

Craig nodded and shoved a bag into my hands.

“I even went out of my way and bought food as an apology. She can eat it as soon as she gets out of surgery.”

I glanced at the food in the bag. There was fried chicken, burgers, and barbecue meat. Such food was not suitable for a patient.

He said, “Since I didn’t know what she liked, I bought stuff that I like to eat. Pretty smart of me, right?

“If she doesn’t make it and they take her to the crematorium, this bag can double as an ash holder. It’s super convenient!”

I was about to shout at him when the doctor walked out of the operating room.