Promises

white walls and tears

*Song:  You are my sunshine by Johnny Cash*

t/w: this chapter talks about cancer and shows the effects cancer has not only on the person who is sick but also those who care about them. I understand this can be hard to read if you have experienced this but this situation for me hits close to home and I wanted to write something so if you need to talk I am always here. 

You and Flip were walking hand and hand through the halls. You could feel the staleness of the rooms. Everything was plain and depressing. You were currently passing doctors and nurses in the hallways of Mass Gen. 

You and Flip had woken up early to ensure you got to see your mother today. You were dreading it but you knew you had to. It wasn't that you didn't want to see her. Because you really did. You missed not seeing her all the time but seeing her like this was different. 

You were nearing her room when you heard your name being called. Running up behind you was Dr. Conners. She was a smaller woman. She was older but looked young for her age. She had been your mother's doctor for years so she knew you well. Dr. Conners whenever you would stay over would put you in an on-call room and get you meals. You were here so much she basically became a second mom. 

When she reached you she pulled you into a tight hug. You eagerly hugged her back, feeling an overwhelming sense of comfort. When you pulled away Dr. Conners looked surprisingly to your left. 

"Oh, Dr. Conners this is Flip. My boyfriend." As you spoke Flip put one hand around your waist and put the other one out to shake the doctor's hand. 

"It's nice to meet you, Flip. That's great you came out to support the family. I have actually heard a lot about you from Elizabeth." She said with a smile while facing Flip but then she turned towards me with a somber expression.

"Dear I need to warn you before you go in there. This time isn't like when you were in high school. The battle is more difficult. It spread a lot and it's taking a toll. She is weak and is fighting like hell but it's not enough. When you see her you are probably going to want to cry which is fine but you need to be strong for her. She took care of you for so long now it's your time to take care of her."

You could feel the tears already threatening to flood. Flip had noticed too and was pulling you closer into his side. "Okay, I understand. I'm just going to take a second before heading in there."

"Okay take all the time you need sweetie." Dr. Conners said before excusing herself to see other patients. 

Once she left, Flip pulls you in front of him so now you were sobbing into his chest. 

"Shh, shhh it's okay. You can take all the time you need. We have all day." Flip held you close. He was holding your head, lightly messaging his hands against the crown of my head. 

When you calmed down enough, you pulled away and looked up at him. You could see the emotions in his eyes. That's when you realized this wasn't just hurting you. Your mom was basically already his given he was your best friend long before he was your boyfriend. 

You got up on your tiptoes and planted a kiss on his lips. The kiss alone already made you feel like you could take on the world. You pulled away and smiled. His hands encased yours. 

You continued down the hall, stopping in front of the room that made you anxious the most. You reached your hand out to open it but your hand froze on the handle. You realize that once you enter that room there is no going back. Once that door opens your mother is no longer the strong woman she was before you left. No, she will be the patient hanging on to life.