Chapter 7

"You need to come to the hospital right now," the voice yelled. It was 3 am in the morning when my phone rang. I picked it without checking the screen to look at the caller ID.

"What?" My eyes flew open and I yanked the phone away from my ear and brought it to my face.

Nurse Hailey. She's the nurse appointed to take care of my mother. I had given her my contact to reach me in case of any emergency. She is the one I go to anytime I want to reach mom and she updates me about her wellbeing.

My heart raced as I pulled back the phone to my ear. I

"Katara? Are you there? Can you hear me?" She was saying it but my mind wasn't registering what she was saying.

"Katie?" She called again when she didn't hear anything.

I snapped instantly, what was happening now registering in my brain. I looked at the screen of the phone to confirm that she was still on.

"Yes, I can hear you" I say back to her swallowing a big lump down my throat while I dread what she is about to say.

"Okay. I want you to keep calm and coke here as soon as you can. Your mother is fine but we need you here. I understand that this is unprofessional but we're close enough to let you know what's happening" she said.

"What's wrong with my mother?"

"She is fine, you only need to get here as soon as that."

"Alright, I'll be there soon"  I said then ended the call.

I jumped out of bed and rushed to my closet, I pulled the first clothes that screamed a little decency at that moment. It is an overall shirt. I wore it hurriedly as I hunted for my slippers. I finally found it then I switched it from the flip flop I was wearing.

I knew my hair was a mess from sleeping but I couldn't care less. I dashed for my car and drove to the hospital, speedily. I hope I don't get charged for over speeding later on.

~~~~

I nearly hit a car parked nearby as I pulled into the hospital driveway. I drove around for about five minutes before I finally found a space to pack. It was 3 am in the morning but you'll still be surprised by the fleet of cars that were packed. The rate of People who have medical issues is skyrocketing day by day.

By the time I got to the room mom was admitted to, I found it empty.

"Are you Mrs Brown's guardian?" I turned back to see a petite, black young woman who was dressed in nurse attire.

I scrunched my brows up in confusion. I've never seen a black woman attend to mom before. The hospital ought to notify me if they change nurses or doctors attending to her. She must have sensed the confusion on my face.

"I'm nurse Wren. " She introduced me, but I was too tired to even return the smile. If I force , I might even break down right now. I think she also understands that she didn't force it and dive right into why she called me.

"I noticed you walked in earlier so I followed. I work alongside nurse Hailey but I wasn't in charge of your mother. You must be Katarina. Don't ask me how I know all these, I've heard about from Nurse Hailey"

I nodded… She works alongside nurse Hailey, that explains a lot.

Right now I'm more concerned about finding out where my mother is.

"Where's mom?" I asked instead, skipping the formalities.

I'm going to say hello to her later, she seems nice.

"I suggest you should go see Dr Griffin first. He's the right person to explain things to you. Nurse Hailey is with him" she said. I didn't skip the pity look on her face..I must say she's doing a shitty Job hiding that.

"Explain what? Where's my mom!" I snapped.

"Just go honey." She showed the door and I followed the path that leads to Dr. Griffin's office. After walking two long hallways and turning a couple of corners, I finally saw the door to his office. Dr Griffin was  sculptured on his door,giving me the confirmation that I am at the right place.

I've only been there once. That was last year when my mom was admitted. He had called me that day to break the news of her cancer ailment. I left there weeping because that was the last thing I was expecting. Now, I dread how I'm going to come out of the office. Something in me keeps on telling me it's going to be the same.

I knocked on his door and didn't wait for an answer before I turned the knob and pushed the door open.

Dr. Griffin's face lit up as he saw me. He was dressed in his white overall, sitting behind his mahogany desk with a file in his hand. He closed it and I found my mother's name on it.

Nurse Hailey was standing beside him. I watched as she hurriedly wiped her tears with the back of her sleeves when she saw me.

Something ain't right.

It starts from me finding my mother's bed empty. I know what is to come.the truth is right here vividly at my front but I do not let my mind wander to the thought of my mother being dead. It is inevitable and someday it's going to happen.

Dr Griffin had given her a year to live with a 5% chance of surviving it.

"Good to see you Katie, we've been expecting" he forced a grin that didn't reach his face. "Take a seat

Nurse Hailey and I just want to talk to you real quick"

Dr Griffin motioned for me to sit at the pty and sat at his front and I did. I swallowed hard. The reason for this meeting was obvious.

The room was silent for a minute and I swear one could hear a pin drop at that time. Dr Griffin wasn't saying anything yet so I looked at Nurse Hailey. I could see the guilt in her eyes before she looked away. Though it was brief and short, my eyes didn't miss the look on her face.

It's my mom. I could sense it. This meeting is about what had happened to my mom or what is about to happen to her.

I shifted impatiently on my seat as I waited for Dr Griffin to say something—anything.

"Katie, I've known you ever since your mom was admitted to this hospital. In Fact, I made sure she got extra care because I'm close with you. So I put Nurse Hailey whom I trust in charge of her." He paused and search my face for fear that's not there before he continued.

" We discovered she was I'll with cancer and started treatment on that immediately. Recently she went into chemotherapy and we're still watching her heal.. when"  he paused again.

When? When what??

I closed my eyes knowing what's coming. They list her. I know it, I can feel it. But Dr Griffin is really making it hard accepting that truth once and for all.

Just say it out loud that you lost her and make me cry. I was fighting a battle within me when I heard he spoke again and continued.

"We're so sorry Katie, I know how much your mom means to you. But you had to let her go, she's done enough and needs to rest now" he said finally.

"Yo..u… you lost her?" I asked. my voice croaked.

"Don't tell me you lost my mom!" I say, not believing what I just heard. I thought I was ready for what's coming but no! That's a big fat lie. I wasn't ready.

I looked over at Nurse Hailey's face to confirm. I need her to tell me what I just heard is a lie and my mom is hale and hearty and this is some kind of a prank.

Nurse Hailey didn't look away this time, instead she nodded her head slowly, confirming the question my gaze seemed to ask. She subbed violently, crying out harder with agony this time.

"I'm so sorry Katie, we did all we can" she sobbed.

"I'm very sorry for your loss," she said in-between sobs.

I stood up but fell back into my chair as I began to cry. The tears I've been holding for so long came out freeling on their own this time.

Why is death so cruel? Why did it have to take her away so soon?

Nurse Hailey and Dr Griffin didn't stop me as I mourned my loss. When I heard the news it felt as if some part of me was cut off.

I did everything I could to help her. Mom was just all I've got. I lost my father when I was a kid and barely remember anything about him. It has always been mom and she takes active roles in my life but now– now she's gone.

I didn't even want to imagine where I'm going to start from. She's the only family I have left.

"If you'd like to see her, I'll head you there to say your last word" Dr Griffin offered and I looked up with tears filled eyes and nodded.

I wiped my tears abruptly with the back of my sleeves and stood up. Nurse Hailey did the same.

I followed Dr Griffin out and we took an elevator to the fifth floor. He led us along a narrow path then we came back into the opening. We got into the morgue and he led me to where mom was being kept.

"I'm going to leave you for a while. I'll be waiting outside" he touched my shoulder and smiled. He nodded to Nurse Hailey to let me be alone.

"Take your time dear, I'll be outside" she forced a smile and followed Dr Griffin out.

It was when I was left alone that I allowed myself to cry. The tears I've been keeping in since all came at once, flooding my cheek.

I knelt down and cried.

"You promised not to leave me alone mom. You said you'll be here for me always. Where are you now? I'm left alone all by myself with you gone" I reminded her of her promise not caring that she might not hear me.

She promised not to leave me.

"You said it'll be okay and get better. You said you'd fight and continue to smile and never give up. But you broke your promise. You broke every one of it. You left first leaving me all alone by myself"

I realized things aren't going to be the same anymore. I am not ready to say goodbye to her just yet. It's so soon, the time we spent together is so limited to let her go just yet.

We made a bucket list of what we're going to do together.

"You never get to watch home alone for the thousandth time with me again. You didn't get to deep fry chocolate with me. Hell, you didn't try to steal boots at Starbucks then pretend you're making a YouTube blog. You didn't…" I broke down not completing my sentence. I could go on and on mentioning the things we promised to do together.

Half of the things we promised to do haven't been done. She promised to walk every stair in this hospital once she's better not minding that it's a twelve story building.

She was just given 5% chance to survive yet she made the best out of it. That's how carefree and happy she was while alive. With tears blinding my eyes, I didn't have time to check him out.

I was still choking on my tears when I felt a hand rubbing my back. I looked up to find Sean who was bent beside me. Judging from his hair, he looked like he had just gotten out of bed. He was dressed casually also In a polo t-shirt and some shorts.

"How… how did you… what are you doing here?" I asked in confusion. I didn't tell anyone I was coming here and it's even 3am in the morning.

"Shh" he .

He pulled into him and I sobbed on his shirt. He continued to rub my back, back and forth. I sobbed until I felt I couldn't cry any more. With him by my side, I feel at ease.