Page 67 of You Loved Me Once
Mrs. Whitley’s eyes open one last time, and then close. And then she drifts away peacefully and I hope she’s with her Leo again.
“Time of death, twenty-forty-three.” My voice cracks on the last number and so does a part of me. I wanted to talk to her again, tell her about Westin and me starting to really become serious. She would’ve smiled when I let her know we were going to go to my father’s house.
“I’m sorry, Dr. Adams,” Martina says. “I know Mrs. Whitley meant a great deal to you.”
I close my eyes, trying to hide my emotions. “She was a great woman who I cared for very much.”
“She was like mother and grandmother to the entire staff,” she sniffs. “I looked forward to coming in here and visiting.”
“Has anyone called her son?”
The nurse’s eyes shift down. “Yes, he was on his way.”
“I’ll notify him when he arrives,” I let her know.
I glance over at my friend’s still form and another tear falls. She was a part of my day that I’ll never have again. She made me smile when I felt like I couldn’t because she was just that person. There was so much love in her heart, you couldn’t help but feel it when you were around her. I feel as though I’ve lost my mother all over again.
She loved me in her own way, treated me like her daughter. I saw how proud, and at times how disappointed, she was in me, but she was always kind. Mrs. Whitley was a part of me, and I just lost her.
Chapter 20
Fourteen Years Earlier
I turn down the dirt road. The lawn is a beautiful green with little patches of wildflowers. As a little girl, I always loved going out there, picking them and bringing them to my mother. She would gush about how lovely they were and put them in a vase. To the left is the big oak tree where my initials are carved and the tire swing sways. This house is my safe haven, the place I call home.
My brother sits on the porch, his head in his hands. “Everton,” I say as I walk toward him. He looks so much older than the carefree kid he was just a year ago. His features are sharper, and he’s not a kid, but a man.
His eyes meet mine, filled with unshed tears, and he doesn’t have to say anything more. There is only one thing that could bring both of the men in this house to their knees, and I just need some time to set things right.
Everton gets to his feet and pulls me into his arms. “You can save her, Ren. You’re almost a doctor, you can do this.”
“Is it bad?”
Tears fill his eyes and I feel his chest heave. I can count on one hand the times I’ve seen Everton cry. He’s more like my father than I care to admit. He’s over six feet tall, has broad shoulders that carry the weight of the world, and kind eyes, unless you piss him off.
“Serenity,” Daddy’s voice is soft, but I can hear the sliver of relief when he sees me.
“Dad, where is she?”
“She’s in with the doctor, but sweetheart, it’s not good.”
“No, you’re just saying that because you don’t know. I’ll get in there, look her over, and talk to the doctor.”
Everton comes behind me and places his hand on my shoulder. “Ren,” he sighs and I look back.
“What?”
A tear falls down my father’s cheek and he shakes his head. “Don’t make this harder on her.”
I won’t, I tell myself as I enter the house. I’m just going to do what I can to make her fight. We just need more time for the chemo to work, damn it. They’re both giving up and I’m not. My mother never gave up on me, and you’ll have to take me with her before I do.
When I push open her bedroom door, the words escape me. I realize that God wasn’t willing to heed my request. There are dark purple bags under her beautiful blue eyes, and the word frail almost seems too strong to explain how she looks.
All the hope I was feeling as I stepped through here is gone. My mother is dying.
“Serenity,” she croaks and my heart breaks. “You came.”
“Mom,” my voice shakes. “Please, just...”
