Just Listen

Chapter 48

Present-day...

It was the story of how she died.

Don't worry, though! She came back.

She was heading back to the one place she hoped she'd never had to see again. A place that took her soul away. Her greying hair cascaded below her shoulders. Similar to fine wine, she was only better with age. She always came home to roses and encouraging notes on post-its. Instead, she had to be at the hospital this time.

"Rita M Valley?" she heard her name called out. She swiftly left the waiting area heading towards the receptionist's desk. "You may go in."

Rita gave the receptionist a warm smile as she walked past her. She prepared herself to enter the ward, by doing so-- evening her breathing. It wasn't the first time that Rita was there, yet it always felt estranged in her. She mastered up all courage before opening the door to her daughter's assigned room.

"Ah! Mrs. Valley," the Doctor greeted her.

They shook hands. "Dr. Bertarelli. We have met on several occasions."

After the formalities, doctor Bertarelli filled her in on her daughter's current situation. Rita glanced over at her daughter's unconscious body lying on the bed. Dr. Bertarelli noticed her gloomed aura. "There is no need to worry. We have sedated her, and she is in good hands," he said. She could not help the dread that overwhelmed her.

"Will she ever be okay?" her voice quivered. Doctor Bertarelli gave a toothy smile before he gave them some privacy.

Rita slowly walked to where her daughter was soundly sleeping. She held onto her shoulders as she watched her daughter's chest rising and falling. She heaved a sigh, "I wish that this was all just a bad dream...it hurts to see you like this."

Despite all that she could have done, she knew that there was no cure to her daughter's illness. She took one last look at her before she left the room. She took her time to get home; there was nothing lively about it. Looking back into her past, Rita had a mountain of regrets. The one thing she had no negativity on was her family. She treasured them dearly, though she could have fought for them harder or tried harder. Rita could have given more. There was no pain that was more than the pain of regret.

She arrived back home and decided to watch the sunset in her garden. The little moments made life worthwhile. Soon enough, a rough hand rested on her bare shoulder. She leaned back onto her husband. Rita allowed him to embrace her from behind. Love had no age limit, and it had no bounds. This aging couple knew that far too well. The greying hairs sold them out, with only a few wrinkles that appeared on their faces when they gave off a hearty grin or a loving smile. They both complimented each other's hues. They were born from different lands and tribes; love tied them together.

She found comfort in Oliver Valley. The man who gave her three beautiful daughters. Unfortunately, an unexpected tragedy stole one of their most valuable treasures. Nonetheless, they managed to move on with life, keeping their beloved daughter in their hearts.

Oliver asked, "How is she, love?" as they both sat on a bench that overlooked their garden. Rita sighed heavily, avoiding Oliver's gaze.

He did not need to ask further- his eldest daughter was not doing good. "Uncanny is a fighter. I have faith in her," he said.

"Yes, I hope so too." Her rich African voice came to life, mimicking Cat Valentine's.

There was still so much to be grateful for like their family. The accident was not anyone's fault, although Rita blamed herself.

She blamed herself for Uncanny's illness.

The accident.

Her shoulders slumped as the heaviness in her heart pulled her down. The stinging sensation of fresh tears made her sniffle. One tear after the other spilled out of her eyes. Her body shook as she covered her face. Oliver, in instinct, held her tightly. He tried comforting her, "Rita, we will get through this. Please don't cry. If Amandla sees you like this, she will think the worst. Please, my love."

He held her hands in his. Gazing into each other's eyes, Oliver wiped away the tears that lingered on her soft skin. Rita thought just how much she loved him. How just gazing into his eyes made her chest tighten. The golden flecks found in his brown eyes mesmerized her. She savored in his looks. Oliver's brown hair was turning grey. She marveled at his sharp jawline, no wonder her daughters were breathtaking. They shared little bits of both of them.

Oliver loved his wife more than anything. Their marriage was a struggle in the beginning. The woman in front of him was the love of his life. Her race amounted to nothing as long as he woke up next to her.

It wasn't long before Amandla walked in on them. Her face lit up when she saw the two of them embracing. "Kami is asleep. Can we go see my sister?" she asked.

"Tomorrow, sweetheart. She's resting now. We will go there in the morning," Rita responded.

The next day

Uncanny stirred from her slumber. The first thing she realized was that she had restraints. "Hey, it's okay." Her panicked expression drew the attention of the man who had just walked into her room. She scanned the unfamiliar place. The hues of the walls and curtains seemed to make her feel at ease, but she knew just where these things could be. Hospital. Why would she be in a hospital?

"Miss, I am your assigned Dr. Bertarelli. Do you remember anything?"

Uncanny slowly shook her head, her memories smeared together like a painting left out in the rain. The Doctor did not push her further. He told her that she should expect visitors soon before he left. Momentarily, the echoing cry of a patient geared her thoughts into motion. They brought her back to where it all began, drifting her back into unconsciousness.

Her eyes fluttered open, and the images around her were hazy. She saw herself with her daughter. She tried to reach out to her only to drift apart further.

"Uncanny?" Rita called her out with a smile. Uncanny's eyes shot open.

"Where is Kamilah, Mom!?" she demanded.

Rita averted her eyes.

"Mother! Tell me!" she screamed hysterically. Uncanny thrashed about uncontrollably. She did not notice the medical staff bursting into the room.

"She's gone, Uncanny," Rita whispered. Oliver and Amandla stood by her for mutual support.

"No! I was with her in the car, the car. The c-car," she whispered to herself. She slowly came down from her hysteria. Unfortunately, it was the sedative that Dr. Bertarelli had rushed in to inject her.

She struggled to keep her eyes open. They were fixated on the open window, the gentle breeze fluttering the curtains.

Rest in peace, Kamilah Valley Maeve. I'll see you in the next life, maybe then I will be a better mother.

Was all that Uncanny remembered from her accident? she then drifted off to sleep.