“Is that you Jamie?” She squinted without her glasses. I knew she couldn't make out my face.
I squeezed her hand gently.
“No ma, it's Joey. Don't try to move,
you were in a car accident. You're in the hospital now...everything
will be okay.”
She groaned and her eyes fluttered.
“Where's Jamie?” She croaked, her
voice dry and brittle.
“Don't try to talk ma... just get
your rest.”
I bowed my head and stared at the green
tile floor. Should I tell her that I was all she had left now? Jamie
had died six hours ago in the ambulance on the way to the hospital. I
knew somehow she would blame me, she always had; for everything. I'd
spent my life apologizing for never being good enough; for never
being Jamie. And now he was dead and I was the one left to comfort
her.
I swallowed hard and let go of her
hand. Maybe it would be better for everyone if she didn't pull
through. It would certainly be better for me. The thought sickened me
and yet gave me hope. She'd done nothing but make my life hell.
Twenty-seven years, and she'd hated me for every single one of them.
I looked around. No one was watching...
She was in bad shape; broken and old.
It wouldn't take much.
“Ma... Jamie didn't make it. He's
dead.”
It took a moment for it to sink in.
Then her eyes opened wide and machines started beeping erratically.
She opened her mouth but no sound came out. Cardiac arrest.
Nurses rushed to her and doctors came in as I backed away slowly; watching through
tears as they tried to save my mother.
Was I really sad? She'd never loved me.
The only one she had loved died today, and now she would join him.
I would go on living. A peaceful life
now, with both of them gone.
I should've been grief stricken. I
should have been heart sick to the core. Two family members taken
from me right here at the holidays.
But my tears were tears of joy. I was
free.
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