Home Away From Home

Chapter 19

Nick walked to his mother's room. The door was still closed. He looked through the little window and saw a bunch of doctors doing something to his mother. One of the nurses saw him looking and walked out the room.

"Excuse me, may I help you?" She asked.

"Yes, you can actually. Tell me what you guys are doing to my mother." He demanded.

"Are you her son?"

"Yes." He answered proudly.

"Your mother talks about you all the time."

"And I love her very much and cannot have her die. What are you guys doing to her?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't share that with you."

"She's my mother! How would you feel if your mother is dying in front of your eyes and you can't do anything about it?! You wouldn't know if she would live or die because some doctors can't tell you. This is bullshit!" Tears streamed down his face as his voice rose.

"Calm down. Sir, I'm sorry, but no matter who you are I can't share that information with you. But I can tell you that we are doing everything we can. We are going to do everything we can to save your mother."

"I need her. Please ..." He almost fell backwards because he too weak to hold himself up.

"Nurse Lea! Come in here! Now! We need you!" A doctor yelled from inside.

"Excuse me." The nurse walked back in. Nick sat against the wall in front of Sally's room. His face was in his hands most of the time because he was crying so much.

"Nick .." He raised his head and saw Valerie. He put his head back down. She sat next to him. "Any news?"

"No." He put his hand through hers and put his head on her shoulder. "You think she'll make it?" His voice had a sense of hope.

"I know she'll make it. Mom is too much of a strong person to leave." She tried to keep her voice strong.

"Val, I need to tell you something."

"Yeah?"

"If she dies, I'm leaving."

"Leaving where?"

"I'm going back to the army." He remained emotionless.

"Why would you leave? Are you trying to run away from all your problems? Nick, please don't. I have nothing against you loving the army and to go back, but at this moment of time is wrong. You're just going to go out of pain. Everyone is going to be in pain, you're just going to leave us like that?" A tear came down her face.

"I'm sorry, but I need to." He tried his best to not wipe the tear on her face.

"What about Zack? He lost his parents and now he might lose his other mother. He relies on me and you now and you're going to leave? And what about me? You're going to leave me when I need you most?" Her voice cracked.

"Try being in my shoes, then you will understand why I want to leave."

"Try to be in your shoes? I can't believe you just said that! You out of all people should know I've been through this! I already lost my mother! I wanted to run away so badly, but I have responsibilities. I have a little brother that needs me more than ever. So I put away all my pain and took care of him, and on top of all that my dad left and I had to put my pain away again to be there for Zack. You're telling you can't be there for your wife and a boy that worships you? I'm not saying to put all your pain away like I did, but would it kill you to be here for us while we are here for you?" She stood up, her face showing anger.

"I want to go back." He kept his voice was stern. Tears were streaming down her face.

"Fine, do what you want." A tear rolled down her cheek and she walked back to Zack. Nick just realized what he said and he thought 'when am I ever going to think before I speak?'. He got up and was about to walk to Valerie and apologize when the door opened. The doctor came out.

"Are you the son of Sally?" He asked.

"Yes, why?" His eyebrows scrunched together.

"I have some news."

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