Back To Seattle

Chapter 23

The next few days, as on edge as I felt, passed by slowly. I continued to stay with Derek in work, and we went back to my apartment at night, only to continue our routine the following day. Laura had reached out to her parents and had received an overwhelmingly positive response. They were due to arrive this afternoon to see her at the hospital.

Jordan's sudden disappearance almost felt too good to be true. I had destroyed the phone so he couldn't contact me and logged out of my old email in case he sent anything there.

I had planned to go and see my mother today. It had been a while, and I'd definitely been putting it off, with everything else going on, but I'd woken up with this need to go and see her. Derek had offered to come with me, clearly still wary about leaving me on my own, but I'd somehow managed to reassure him that I'd be okay.

It felt good to be driving my own car again, enjoying my own company. I loved having Derek around, basking in his calming presence, but it was nice to be reminded that I could be independent again.

My nausea seemed to settle more with each passing, as long as I avoided chicken and bacon. I was starting to eat more regularly, at Derek's insistence and apparent talent and cooking. He seemed almost too good to be true sometimes.

The nerves started to kick in a bit more as I parked at the home, and I took a moment to gather myself, taking a few deep breaths before getting out of the car. I grabbed my bag, intending on writing a cheque that was due to the home.

I greeted the familiar receptionist with a smile as I walked on, which she returned and then a look crossed her face as though something had just popped into her mind.

"Dr Grey, I was going to call you soon, actually," the woman said, pushing her glasses up her nose.

"Oh, I know, a payment is due. I've brought my cheque book to write one on my way out," I explained, stopping by the front desk.

"That's not why... yesterday evening, a gentleman stopped by, wanting to see your mother, he claimed to be your husband."

Her words made my heart stop, and I tried to not let my panic show too much. "I don't suppose he was allowed in?"

"Oh no, he was pretty insistent, but we know that you're the only person granted permission to see Ellis, we didn't let him in. I didn't know you had a husband?" The woman furrowed her brow slightly.

"Hopefully soon to be ex-husband," I sighed. "Thank you for letting me know, and he is strictly not allowed to see her, so thank you for not letting him in." I smiled, hopefully not too scarily, at the woman who nodded. "I'll go in and see her now, how is she doing?"

"There hasn't been much change since the last time you were here," she smiled sympathetically.

"Thanks," I said with a nod, heading on through to my mother's room.

It was always a guess as to what year my mother thought she was in, every time I came to visit. One thing I did know, is that she doesn't remember anything of the past ten years from what I could tell. I was glad, somewhat, that she didn't remember the fight we had when I told her I was getting married. When she refused to have any part of it. She knew it was all wrong, back then. I wish I'd have listened to her. I wish I'd have come home to Seattle, and not wasted all these years.

I pushed open her door, and as expected her head had lifted as she looked to see who was there. Strangely enough, a smile spread across her face when she saw me. I didn't have to force a smile. Seeing that reaction made me smile.

It was better than being shouted at to leave.

I sat in the chair beside her, taking her hand. "Hi, Mom."