Page 7 of Secret Baby with My One Timer

Taylor

Only a couple of days later, I inhale deeply as I stare through the window at my mom before pushing on the door and stepping inside the room.

After giving her my cheeriest smile, I pick up her patient notes, then stroll around her bed, checking how well she’s been through the night.

Smiling lightly because her vitals seem to have settled. I place the notes at the bottom of her bed and check everything correctly connected.

“Taylor,” she breathes. “I can’t stay here another day.”

“I’ve spoken to the doctor. Your vitals are regulating and he’ll sign the paperwork tomorrow, providing you have another good day.”

“Tomorrow.” There’s a huff to her tone as she thinks that through. “You need me at home. You need me to help with Holly.”

I sit on the chair beside her and take hold of her hand. My fingertips sliding across skin that seems thinner.

When did she get sick?

“You need to think about yourself. I can manage Holly.”

Mom’s lips turn down as she listens to. “You know you and Holly are the most important people in the world to me. Will you bring her here to see me?” Her eyes glisten as she waits. There’s a ripple along her throat before she says, “Just in case they keep me here.”

I know what she’s trying to say. I swallow and nod. “Why didn’t you tell me you were sick?”

“I was going to Taylor.” Mom visibly shudders.

I sigh, wanting to scream at her for not telling me before now that she is ill. For not sharing her pain with her daughter. Instead, she did everything she’s done my whole life.

Protected me.

I want to ask her so much more, but I’m too scared to know the truth. But I know the tests she’s had done and I know it isn’t looking good.

“Are you cold?” I ask, standing, not waiting for a reply as I grab the blanket from the bottom of the bed and pull it over her prone body. The more I look at her, the more I see the pain in her eyes. And that hurts me more than I can let her know.

“Thank you.”

“Mom...” I swallow back the lump in my throat. “How long have you known?”

Mom’s eyes close for a moment and she sighs. “It was already advanced by the time they found it.”

“And when they found it, did you get treatment? Are you getting treatment?”

Mom shakes her head. “I’d have to sell our home to cover the out-of-pocket costs.”

“You’re not getting treatment. What the hell are you thinking, Mom? You’ll die,” I whisper-yell.

No... No... No...

“I don’t want you and Holly to lose your home,” she says. “I’ve already signed it over to you.”

I don’t even realize that tears are rolling down my cheeks until Mom swipes her finger against my cheek. “Don’t cry baby.”

I don’t want to cry, but I can’t stop.“Don’t leave me. I can take on more shifts to pay for your treatment. I’ve been saving up for Christmas. You can have it all.”

“I’m not going anytime soon.” Her voice stutters as she tells me the lie. “And you work enough. You have to be around for Holly. See your little girl grow up.”

Just like you did yours.

“Please don’t die,” I murmur.

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