Limerence • h.s.

13

MONDAY

I sat in front of the mirror staring at myself, trying to fix the stray strands of hair on my head. I wanted to look nice. Shortly after leaving Harry's, I decided to go home rather than the hotel. I needed to see my mom before I left for such a long time.

Granted, she wouldn't understand, even if I explained in every detail where I would be and for how long, she'll forget. Her memory was the first thing to go a few years ago, but now she sits bound in a wheelchair, unable to walk on her own. Some of the last things she said to me were how proud she was that I found such a lovely man.

If only she knew the type of person he really was.

I had spent more money than I should have with a flight home and countless Ubers, as well as the hotel here, but it felt right to be here with her. Megan was the only person I told, and she was trying to talk me out of going so far by myself, but it was no use. My mind was made up when I called her, I was sitting on a plane about to turn my phone off.

With a huff, I give up on my hair and work to gather my essentials instead. Phone and wallet in hand, I pulled the door to my suite shut tightly behind me and turned on my heels down the hall. Harry had called only once since I left, but that was it. Out of my need to be nice, I answered and simply told him that I would see him Thursday morning. I didn't really let him say anything before I hung up.

Part of me did worry that I was being too harsh on him, especially over something like rejection, but my mind was too weak to juggle everything he brought on. I needed time to focus on healing my mind before taking on such a confusing task with him.

The ding of the elevator chimes through the small space and I step into the lobby, my pace swift. I give a courteous smile to the concierge and then slip through the front doors. I had stayed fairly close to the home my mother was in so that it would be within walking distance.

I held my hands in the pockets of my jacket, trying to keep to myself while walking. The city was just starting to see a spark of summer weather, but I enjoyed the security of my jacket. Early May in Aberdeen was different each year, you either saw sunny skies or cold rain. I was pleased to still feel the sun on my skin, as it was so comforting in LA. I jostled past the other people on the sidewalk, trying to weave past them gently. I rounded the corner of the block, checking both ways before I jogged across the dead-end street to the front of the nursing home. 

I was set to meet with Kate, as I told her of my arrival. I also wanted to explain to her why I was gone and why I would be gone for a while. She needed to hear it from me rather than Jackson. It was always nice when the two of us saw mom together, mainly because it was the only time we got along. Any other time was arguing. 

I approach the desk, give a smile at the woman sitting there, and finally pull my hands from my pockets. "Hi, I'm here to see Kara Campbell. I'm her daughter, Cecily Campbell." I smile, tapping the pads of my fingers against the top of the desk. She smiles back before typing into her computer for a moment. I take a second to look around the lobby, taking in the dull environment. She smacks a clipboard down and holds a pen out for me. "Just sign in here and you're good to go, she's in room 134." She says, returning to her previous work. I scribble my signature and thank her before turning down the long hallway.

The only sound is the TV playing in a large room off to the side, multiple people sitting out there watching. I peeked to make sure she wasn't in there and continued on once I didn't see her. My feet smack against the sleek tile, noting my pace. I try to smile at each person I pass, most of them employees, but I'm more focused on the room numbers. Every time I'm here I realize that the place is a maze, everything looks exactly the same and it confuses me every time.