On The Edge

The death of a loved one

Tonight, I came home and got in the shower. I felt the water trickle down my face. My life wasn't perfect, but it was slowly getting better, or so I thought. My Spotify playlist coming from the window ledge suddenly stopped. I couldn't be bothered getting out, so I just continued to run the shampoo through my hair. Then a noise came from my phone, and automated voice. It spoke:

Dad: get to Red Wrath Hospital ASAP

I can't remember what I thought, I just remember taking my shaking body out the shower, wrapping myself in my dressing gown and running out the door in my slippers. I opened the car door, sat in the driver's seat, and put my foot down. I got to the hospital and saw my mum lying down with her eyes half open.

My mum got cancer 2 years ago. I got the news last week that she didn't need any more chemotherapy and I thought things were finally looking up. I didn't get a chance to speak to her since the news as my work has been paying me less and I've had to do more hours. I thought that if I made some more money me and her could go on holiday together and spend some time together then. Turns out I should have lived in the moment rather than inspiring for future plans.

I saw my reflection in my mums half empty glass and felt myself going dizzy I saw the lights all blur into one, I saw my mum's eyes open for a second and then I saw nothing.

I woke in the chair next to my mum. And saw her eyes close

"What, sh sh she no she can't..." I managed to form a few words together

The nurse shook her head, and my dad ran and hugged me.

As the nurse ad my dad left the room I rested my head on my mum's shoulder for one last time.

An arm moved from underneath me.

I looked up and saw my mum's beautiful blue eyes staring back at me.

I smiled from ear to ear.

"Mum? How? What?"

"Darling..." she began "you know I wouldn't leave until I spoke to you."

"No mum, don't leave at all." I pleaded

She gave me a sympathetic smile, "It's my time, don't give up, remember I will always love you no matter where I am."

With that she closed her eyes for the last time as her spirit left her.

My Dad walked in, "Who are you talking to?"

I could almost hear my mum in my head "shhhh" she said, typical mum, wouldn't tell dad a thing

"Nobody," I whispered

My dad smiled, "I'm going to miss her too."

I'm not sure where this was 20 years ago, I would have quite fancied my dad living with me and mum, but it didn't matter anymore. I didn't say anything, I just smiled, trying to hide my pain. I felt aching in my chest, this was hit 1 of 10, the rest come later...