TIFFIN 2

102

As I chased after my mother in law she spared me a glance over her shoulder, but kept walking. I was momentarily worried for my white dress, but I continued running. 

"Dorinda! Please!" 

When we made it to the parking lot, she wrapped her coat around her small figure. She didn't look healthy at all. It looked like the life force had been sucked out of her.

"You look lovely." She croaked. 

As she turned to walk away again, I rushed forward. 

"Hold on... I beg of you. I have so many questions-" 

Dorinda caught ahold of my hand gently. 

"I know you do. Hero's told me all about it. There's not much to tell you besides  I don't know who hates me and I probably never will."

I shook my head. 

"That's not true! We can help. There are so many options-!"

"No..." 

Her voice trailed off harshly. She visibly shook like a leaf, fighting away tears.

She then opened her eyes, baring blood shot eyes.

"I've been so bitter with you for no reason and I'm so confused as to why you want to help. I told myself I'd come today and not cry because I needed to make amends because the world..." 

She sucked in a sharp breath. 

"The world doesn't live to serve only me. You all matter too."

I blew out a breath, at a loss of what to do.

I blinked. 

"I know you mean well... I... you have a long time to make things right. Let me get you some food-" 

As I started for the grounds again, she grabbed ahold of my arm in a tight grip. 

"No.... I have less time than I deserve." 

I furrowed my brows, eyeing her face for answers. What? 

"Dorinda... what...?" 

Without warning, she led us across the lot to a fancy car. 

"Can I steal you for a bit? We'll just go down the block. I need a moment with you." 

I shut my eyes briefly to collect myself. 

"Y-yes. Of course." 

Surely it wouldn't take too long.

A minutes later we parked in front of a cafe. I remained silent as I watched Dorinda take charge. Like the savvy buisness woman I had met many months ago, she ordered the owner to clear the restaurant. 

It seemed that they knew each other. Well. 

The employees were quick to make us some strong tea and cinnamon cakes. I heard the chunky blenders as I sipped on my drink.

"So, I'm guessing we didn't come here for food." I said.

"No," Dorinda began, staring down at our table, "I actually... Kristina..." 

I looked into her eyes waiting for her to go on. 

"I haven't told my son this," She continued, "For a good reason. I've led him to believe that I've caught the flu or something." 

I bit my lip, trying to put the pieces together. 

"Yeah, I figured he was seeing you a lot. The doctor said that it was common-" 

Dorinda coughed out her next words. 

"He lied. I... I have... cancer."

The next few moments were confusing. Her words were flew out one ear and out the other.

How could this be? 

"So you knew?" I asked. "For how long?"

Dorinda sniffled. 

"That day you visited me in the hospital. It's in its third stage."

I blinked, staring back at her in disbelief. 

"How could you not tell him? Of all people?"

She nearly choked on her own breath. 

"I wanted to tell him but I knew if I did, he'd resent me more than he already does. I thought that if I was to tell anyone about it, it would be you." 

I scoffed, trying to let all this sink in. 

"I don't get why you're telling me this. I swore you hated me. I mean, you weren't exactly happy when he proposed to me."

Dorinda shook her head adamantly. 

"No... I never hated you..." 

She trailed off, clasping a hand over her mouth.

"I was jealous. You were so good... so good for him. I couldn't admit that. You were everything I couldn't be." 

She paused, swallowing. 

"It was even worse when you told me all that I'd done to my son. It was like a blaring red sign I'd never seen before. I was such a horrible mother." 

I gasped. 

"No... Dorinda..."

"Please," she begged, "don't try to spare me my feelings. I caused him so much pain. I was neglectful and harsh. More than harsh; I sent him away. During all that... I knew what Diedre was doing to him. It was staring me right in the face, yet... I chose to do nothing. And I can never fix that for him." 

"You have to understand the pressure you were under." I murmured. 

Dorinda squeaked miserably. 

"All the pressure I was under, was nothing compared to..."

She paused once more, as if in pain. 

"To what he went through?" I finished. 

She nodded. 

"Yes. I wanted to do something. God, I wanted to, but... my mother. She's the devil. She'd always frightened me into submission as a child and adulthood. I wanted to say something but I knew what she would do..." 

Without thinking, I pulled Dorinda towards me, gathering her in my arms.
 
"It's okay. It'll be alright."

She shook her head. 

"No it won't. I need you to know I love my son dearly, I do. I sent him away so I could try to keep him away from that wretched woman but... I failed." 

I sniffed, feeling tears brim my eyes.

"You really did try, didn't you?" 

Dorinda lowered her head. 

"I want him to know that I'm sorry. But no words can fix this." 

I glared with determination. 

"No. I will not allow you to be so definite. You have time okay? Diedre is out of our lives. Trust me. Hero will forgive you. I know he will." 

Dorinda sobbed. 

"You really are the best my son could ever get. I wouldn't want any other woman to be married to him. Just promise me one thing?" 

I nodded. 

"Of course." 

It went silent for a long moment until she went on. 

"Hero can't know about my cancer." 

When she sensed I was about to argue, she squeezed my hands.

"Please do not tell him. I'll let him know in my own terms." 

I sighed.

"Okay. How long do you think you have?"

Dorinda remained silent though I was sure her time was short.