Page 32 of Light

Melissa

The stronger Tylergets the more terrified I get of what happens when he's well.

I know it seems backward but when he's sick at least there's a routine, things I know to look out for. When he's well it feels like I don't know when the bad is going to happen and when it does it catches both of us off guard.

Still I would rather always be on edge if it meant that I can continue to see my little boy happy.

Light has been coming to the house every night for the past three days and in that time he and Tyler have become buddies. Something like a budding bromance that just squeezes at my heart. I don't remember a time when Tyler has laughed this much.

To make matters even better, I haven't been visited in the last three days by any of Deke's men. It's almost as if they've given up. I don't want to get my hopes up but I'm praying that now that they know I have someone here with me, they've decided to back off. It's a silly hope but it's all I'm holding on to right now.

The smart part of me knows that Light isn't going to be able to stay with me every night, and soon I'm going to be on my own again. Right now we've got a smooth thing going, I make him dinner, the boys play video games or tells stories and then Light goes to sleep on the couch. I try not to think about the fact that I spend half of the night in my room tossing and turning wishing that he was in there with me, or the fact that his gaze has become more and more heated over the past few days. Both of us are adults, and we can keep our sexual desires to ourselves.

All in all, over the past few days, life seems to have let up a little on me. I feel like I can breathe for the first time in a long time.

"Mom, come on." Tyler pops open the door of the cab and trudges angrily out into the parking lot.

I sigh and slide the fare to the cab driver before I follow Tyler. He's going to be in a pissy mood until we get out of here, but I guess it makes sense. I don't know many kids who like going to the doctor.

It's been more than a week since Tyler was taken off the respirator and is breathing well on his own. Of course, we still have to do our twice daily routine, but besides that he seems to be fine. Of course, our primary care doctor needs to make sure for himself. Tyler understands that he's got a condition that needs to be checked up on frequently, but he still doesn't like going to the doctor.

"Tyler, hold up." I call out from behind him and jog a little to catch up.

He sighs and grumbles when I drape an arm around his shoulders.

"Think of it this way, the quicker we get in the quicker we get out. Dr. Matthews just wants to do a quick listen." I nod and Tyler shrugs his shoulders.

We walk into the doctor's office and it's a mad house. Nearly every chair in the waiting room is occupied by someone waiting to go see the doctor. Quickly, I dig into my bag and pull out the face mask for Tyler. The last thing we need is for him to pick up a bug.

Looking around the room, I find two seats in the corner and usher Tyler over to one before I go to the front desk to register him.

"Hey, Melissa how are you doing?" Lisa the receptionist smiles up at me. She doesn't even ask me for my identification any more. I've been here so many times we are on a first name basis.

"How are things going? How's mom?" I ask keeping up the small talk while she does what she has to do for me in the computer.

"Oh, you know Ma, she'll bitch and complain until she's in the grave. She is up and moving around again though."

"That's good! I'm happy to hear that." I nod my head.

"Yeah...real good." Lisa's voice gets lower and I see her face scrunch slightly in confusion. Whatever she's looking at on the screen must not be what she expected to see.

"Uhh... is everything okay?" I ask moving in a little closer. I hope she doesn't tell me that the appointment was cancelled. If Tyler knows he has to come back another day he's going to be upset.

"Yeah, I mean I think so." Lisa scratches the top of her hand before she stands from her seat. "Actually, my manager has to speak with you."

"Manager?"

"Yeah hold on." Lisa gives me a tight smile before she walks over to a small office that is just behind the reception area and pokes her head in.

Lisa comes back and tells me that I can go right in. This is definitely not the norm. I turn back and give Tyler one finger to let him know that I'll be right back before I quickly walk into the manager's office.

"Good morning, Ms. Little."

"Good morning." I say as I take a seat in front of the desk. "Is everything okay?" I ask, my anxiety already ramping up.

"Well, Ms. Little, it seems your account has been flagged in our system."

"Flagged for what?"

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