Together or apart

Oh, Mother

2 months after that, we found ourselves shedding clothes at, Far Away, a hotel near my apartment in New York. Neither of us thought about the consequences it may bring. All we thought about was getting closer to each other. Mentally and physically.

"That day, Phil, was the worst of my life." I whispered as I fiddled with the hem of his shirt.

"You met mom."

"Yeah, but in a hospital. Waiting for her son to regain consciousness." I bit my lip.

"How did you meet her anyway?"

I sighed, "I was sitting in the lobby. Waiting. And then she said hi and I just said hi back instead of asking her what's wrong. I literally looked, and felt, like a zombie. She introduced herself and I was so embarrassed. I apologized at least 5 times before the doctor said you were up and then I left."

He scoffed, "That was not how I wanted you to meet my mother."

"Why didn't you add you mother as your emergency contact instead of me?"

"I -," He sighed and looked away, "She's sick."

My eyes widened, "How long?" I squeezed his hand.

"A little more than a year, give or take." He whispered.

I kissed his cheek, "You should tell her about the baby. We should tell her."

"I don't know if I can."

"Phil, she'll find out somehow. Do you really want her to find out from someone else?"

"It's not that." He whispered and I caught glimpse of a lone tear on his cheek, "She - She's gonna be - she won't be here when-," He started sobbing into my arm and I rubbed his back with my other hand.

"Shh, I'm right here. Right here." I whispered and hoped it would lessen, if not soothe, the pain. I had never seen Phil sob, never held him while he dealt with the pain this life gives.

I felt him take uneven breaths after a few minutes.

"I - I'm sorry." He cleared his throat.

"No need." I helped him up, "Let's get you cleaned up and then we can fly down to Wisconsin." I offered.

He nodded and followed me to the Bathroom, I grabbed him a fresh face towel and stood stoically in the room while he washed his face.

He took a deep breath and gave me a wry smile, "Thank you." He walked over to me and wrapped his arms around my shoulders.

I looked up at him and smiled, "Alway." I stood on my toes and softly kissed him.

He pulled away and softly smiled, "Tell your mother."

I looked away, "Not right now." I bit my lip, "Let's get dinner and then we can catch a flight to Wisconsin."

He squeezed my hand, "Don't worry about your mother. I'm sure she won't be that mad."

"Melinda Qiaolian May!" My mother burst into the room.

"Mom." I greeted her.

"When were you going to tell me?!"

"Tell you what?" I pretended to be clueless even though I knew it won't do anything.

"I thought you two were dating or even engaged. Not -," she threw a disgusted look at Phil, "being banged up by him."

I scoffed, "Don't talk to him like that."

"Don't -, him? My daughter is pregnant. And I didn't know that till what,- how long are you?"

I bit my lip, "4 months."

"Four? God, Melinda!"

I looked over at Phil and nodded towards the door, he nodded and left us in the room.

"Look, mom-,"

"Don't 'Look, mom' me. You are pregnant. And you are not married. I taught you-,"

"You taught me many things, mom, but I don't want to be you. I don't want to live the life you lead. Being a loving wife and a dedicated agent. I don't want to build a relationship on lies like you did. Not now, not ever. I am not you, and I'm grateful for that. I don't need you to interfere in my life like it's yours because it's not. So please, please mom, leave me alone." I felt a lump in my throat and I looked away.

She sighed, "Melinda, I want what's best for you. I don't want you to leave the life I lived because I know the pain is causes. You weren't exactly planned, Melinda. I -, I - a lot of times I felt that I messed up. I doubted myself even when others worshipped me. I was wearing a mask while breaking down. Still do that. I didn't want you to live in burden of a child. An accident. Melinda," she held my hand, "I want you to be better than me."

I bit my lip, "I'm sorry."

"Don't be." She smiled, "So how was he?"

I instantly blushed and my eyes widened, "Mom!" I groaned.