Flawed Feelings

Chapter 4 - Bittersweet

Pulling up outside the hospital, I jumped straight out of the car and ran through the double, glass doors towards the reception desk. Emma circled around to find a parking space, then quickly hurried after me. Still struggling to breathe I asked the woman behind the desk where my mum was.

A pair of arms wrapped around my waist and a head leant on my shoulder. Instantly, I calmed down as I listened to the young blonde-haired woman behind the desk.

Being totally useless with directions I looked to Emma. "You don't have a clue where you're going do you?" I shook my head. "Good job you've got me with you then, isn't it? I can find my way around anywhere. C'mon." She led me around the long corridors past many rooms, which held many beds, which were filled with many patients. How can so many people be ill at the same time? It shouldn't be allowed.

Emma came to a halt. I looked over the room and I froze at the sight I saw. Grabbing Emma's hand I ran over to my mum who was lying on the bed at the back of the room.

Her body was badly bruised and her face was covered with scratches. Her hair was messy and her eyes looked at me weakly. Her lips trembled to the sight of me. "Baby girl. I love you, I'm sorry." She lifted a hand of the bed, I held onto it with such force. I didn't want to let go. "Who's this?"

I had totally forgot about Emma. She was stood at the end of the bed, not sure what to do with herself. "This is.." My mind went blank as I looked to Emma for help.

"I'm Emma, Caitlin's sister. I gave her a ride up when she got the phone call as I was the only one with a car." Emma smiled at my mum and then slowly started to leave the room.

"No, Emma please stay!" I begged her. "I need you."

"I'm just going to get you a drink, you need some time with your Mum." Her body disappeared behind the curtain, I refocused my attention back onto the person who needed me most.

"Who was that really?" She asked with a little smile on her face. 

"She's just Emma mum, don't be concerning yourself with that now. You need to concentrate on getting better." I pleaded.

My Mum's face didn't change as she spoke, "Look Whit, I love you. You know that right? I will always be with you. I need to know that you'll be alright, that you'll be taken care of. I don't care who that is by as long as you are happy and you are safe. Can she do that?" Her smile slowly started to fade. "Whit please, can she do that for me? She obviously means a lot to you, otherwise you wouldn't have brought her here."

"I needed the ride." I countered.

Clearly failing as my Mum continued. "You would have rather jumped on a bus or called a taxi than bother someone, even if it is an emergency. You hate the idea of putting people out of their way." She laughed then looked at me intently. "So who is she? Honestly. Don't try to pull the wool over my eyes either. I'm your mother, I can tell when you're lying." That much was definitely true, she had always been able to tell when I was lying. It was like a sixth sense or something.

"Mum. I, I can't. She'd get into trouble." I stammered, regretting my words. 

"Whit please." My Mum gave me her special look, "Since when have you been unable to tell me something?" 

"Okay, okay Mum. Emma is special to me, I really like her. The thing is.." I couldn't quite bring myself to say it. 

"I'm her teacher." Emma interrupted, handing me a cup of water. She smiled at me apologetically as she looked back over to my mum.

My mum looked a little stumped for words, but smiled at us both and said "As long as you are both happy, please look after her and please don't break my daughter's heart."