The Mail Woman

25

*Kassidy
NEXT DAY

Lilian let me off and I was now getting ready to head to go see my parents. I didn't get too dressed up but I wanted to look decent. It did take me long to get ready. I grabbed my things, and my keys, and headed out the door. I stopped to get them their favorite donuts and headed to the hotel.

I finally made it. I called Dad. He answered on the 3rd ring.

"Hello..." he answered

"Hey Dad, did you want me to come up??" I asked

"We're actually on the first floor. Room 112..." he said

"Okay, I'm heading in..." I said before we hung up.

I grabbed the donuts and pulled my keys out. I got out, locked the door, and headed in. I walked in and went down the hall. I made it to the room door and then knocked. It took a while but he eventually opened it up. He smiled at me as I walked in.

"Hey..." I said as he closed the door

"Wassup..." he said
"Come this way. Your mom is in the front room area..."

I followed behind him and the first thing I saw was her beautiful hair. He sat down on the loveseat. But, I went in front of her and squatted down so she could see my face. She saw me and gave me a smile.

"Hey, Mom..." I said

"Heyyyy..." she said excitedly making me smile big
"K- K. Kassidy..."

"She remembers..." I heard Dad say under his breath

"I miss you..." I said sitting the donuts beside her

Her eyes followed the donuts and she pointed to them.

"Donut..." she said softly tapping the box with her finger

I opened up the box and turned to her. She looked at them for a bit before pointing to the pink one. It was the one she always ate first whenever Dad bought home donuts. I smiled as I grabbed the one she wanted with a paper towel. I handed it to her, she smiled while looking at me. She bit it with her eyes closed. I laughed a lil.

"Good??" I asked

"Yeah yeah..." she said

I got up to leave her to enjoy her donut. I looked at Dad and he had tears in his eyes with a smile on his face. I smiled at him.

"You want one??" I asked him

"Of course I do..." he said making me laugh

I opened the box and he grabbed the chocolate one of course. I closed it back and sat it on the table. I sat at the end of the couch Mom was sitting on.

"So..." I said
"How is she really doing??"

He let out a breath.

"When it first started I just thought it was just old age. But as time progressed it worsened. So, I took her to the doctor and we found out. Some days are good and some aren't. I'm sorry for not telling you sooner, but I couldn't even process it..." he said

"It's okay Dad..." I said truthfully

"But recently her kidney has been a problem. She had to get a kidney biopsy and we're just waiting on the results..." he said

"It's getting that bad??" I asked

"Yes, things have been transpiring very quickly and I don't know if her body can continue to handle everything it's been going through..." he said

I sighed as I rubbed my hand through my hair.

"Do you think that soon she'll??" I asked not wanting to say it fully but he understood what I was referring to

"Only time will tell..." he said
"But I'll like to think that she won't be suffering anymore. It's hard to watch her go through all of this. Like it's hard on us, but just imagine what she's going through..."

My throat started burning just the thought of her not being here with us.

I felt Dad grab my hand.

"We'll going to be fine. Everything is going to work out for the greater good. All we can do is pray for her and be ready when that time comes..." he said

"I just don't wanna think about that right now. Like I haven't seen her in a while and when I finally do. I got to think about her being out of my life permanently. I just can't Dad..." I said

He stood up and pulled me up. He hugged me.

"I know Kassidy. I know. We just have to be there for her. Give her the best days until it's time to let her go..." he said as we hugged each other

"Okay..." I said against his chest

We stood like that for a while. Before I lifted up.

"Let's not be sad. Let's make the most outta this. Cuz I think she wants another donut..." he said making me laugh as I looked at her

"Kassidy donut..." she said looking at me

I laughed and gave her another one.

For the remainder of the time we sat and talked. I showed Mom pictures. We played a game on my phone. She and Dad are so competitive it was so funny.

Around 1:30, we headed to the airport. We made sure we packeted Mom's donuts. I dropped them off and Mom hugged me, very tight.
________

I drove home with a heavy heart and tears.

I called Winter.
It rang twice before she answered.

"Hey..." she said

"Hey..." I said

"What's wrong??" She asked

"It's nothing..." I said

"I hear it in your voice Kassidy..." she said

"I just dropped my parents off..." I said

"You okay??" She asked

"I don't know..." I said

"I'm on the way..." she said

"No, you gotta go on your work trip..." I said

"I can ask Stacey can I work from home..." she said

"You don't ne-..." I started

"I don't care, I'm coming. See you in 20 minutes, 30 at the latest..." she said before hanging up

I let out a sigh.

I drove the rest of the way home and went in. I fell face first on the bed. What just happen made its way back into my mind. Tears filled my eyes again.

I sat there drowning in my thoughts and tears when there was a knock at the door. I sniffed, wiped my eyes, and got myself together. I went to open the door. Winter stood there with a worried expression on her face. She walked in, closed the door, then pulled me into her. Her arm was wrapped around me and I did the same.

"You didn't have to come..." I said

"I would've regretted it if I didn't. I'm here for you..." she said

"What about your job??" I asked

"I didn't wanna go on that trip anyways..." she said pulling me closer
"I'll rather be here with you..."

I raised up and looked at her.

"Let's go get in bed so I can comfort you..." she said softly

With that, she pulled me into the room.