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“Lacie?”
“Hey, Mom!” I called out, dropping my bag by the door. I balled my hands into fists, steeling myself to go see my mother. She was practically bedridden these days, and it was getting harder and harder to handle. Her headaches were getting more intense, and I knew the glioblastoma—brain cancer, if we were calling a spade a spade—was getting worse. If we couldn’t get the money for the treatment within a couple weeks, I’d be watching her wither away in front of me.
I shook my head. I couldn’t think that way. Something would come up.
“Hey, Mom,” I said, letting my eyes adjust to the darkness of her bedroom. I padded on the carpet and sat on the edge of the bed. There was the stale scent of sickness in the air, and I brushed my mother’s hair off her clammy forehead. “How are you feeling today?”
“A bit better,” she lied. She stretched her lips into a smile. “You’re heading to New York tomorrow, aren’t you?”
“Yeah,” I said, and my heart squeezed. Every moment away from her seemed like it was a bad idea. I didn’t know how much time she had left.
“I didn’t see you yesterday.”
“I was working late,” I lied, thinking of my time with Maddox as a flash of guilt passed through me. How could I explain that to her?
“You work too hard.”
“Once I get my pay check this week, I should be able to afford the down payment for your treatment.”
My mother patted my arm and shook her head. “You shouldn’t waste your money on me, Lacie. You should live your life.”
My chest compressed until it hurt, and my throat closed up. “Sounds like you’re giving up,” I croaked. My mother shook her head.
“I’m just being a mom,” she whispered.
I kissed her forehead and stroked her arm until she fell asleep. Then, I tiptoed out of the room and started packing.
Maybe a few days away would be a good thing. I could spend time with Maddox, clear my head, and come back with renewed strength. Then, I could figure out how I’d make the second payment for her treatment.
My phone buzzed, and Maddox’s phone number flashed on the screen.
See you tomorrow. Sleep tight xx
I smiled and read the message over a few times. I wondered if he knew how much those five words meant to me.
