Epics of Noche 5, Reflection

EON CH 16

MOTHER.

1777, APRIL 08th, FRIDAY 10:00am.

Mary sat by the docks and watched as the ship came in. When it came to a halt and a bridge was lowered a hundred complicated emotions swirled inside her chest. Heat replaced by ice and back again, a swelling pressure that would dissipate as fast as it came, pins and needles that would vanish seconds afterward.

Every argument, all the screaming, the shouting, it all replayed in her mind. How many of those memories actually contained happiness? She mulled it over in her head and wondered if there was a point to it all. Then the person she was waiting for stepped down the ramp.

It was the first time in years she had seen her. In her memory, she had looked much stronger. Healthier. Stubborn as a mule. The person before her didn't look like that anymore. The disease had begun to take its final toll. Mary tried to plant a smile across her face but it wouldn't come. All she could display was concern.

"Hello mother."

The woman dashed towards Mary and picked her up in a hug. Mary's brain fritz for a second – unable to come up with a single thought. She wasn't expecting this. It was different from their normal interactions.

If only such affection had been displayed years ago. Maybe things would have been different. Unfortunately, there was too much history, too much pain. Still, that was then, this is now. Mary closed her eyes and returned the embrace. They stood like that for eternity.

Hours later, they sat at a café. Mary wiped at the tears that fell down her face. She stifled the hiccupping sobs that wanted to break out.

"Mary, it wi bi ok."

"No it won't!" Mary shouted.

She took a moment to compose herself. They were alone out here with their food, but still. So she took a few breaths and waited.

"How will it be ok?" Mary covered her eyes with her hand. "Why? Why did you wait so long?"

Her mother looked to the floor and her eyes shimmered.

"Me did fraid. Feel like mi had more time," she said. "Besides, yuh mek it clear yuh nuh like mi."

"I don't hate you!" Mary stood up. "I... I don't hate you."

She slowly sat back down on the chair.

"I was just... Frustrated," she paused. "We never agreed on anything. I wanted to try and find a cure myself... You wanted to trust those so-called professionals."

Her mom placed her hand on Mary's. The brown-skinned girl's wet eyes lingered on the gesture.

"Mary, mi luv yuh."

Mary sniffed and wiped her eyes again. "I love you too. Mom."

It was the longest and shortest day of Mary's life. They spent the day catching up, sharing stories, playing games. As the sun set on the ocean waves, they both sat at the end of the docks and drank orange soda in vintage bottles. They didn't share any looks at each other, they just watched the colors in the sky.

Mary tried not to think about how little time her mom had left. It could come at any moment now. Maybe today. Maybe tomorrow. Maybe it already happened. She resisted the urge to look to her side to see if her mother was still breathing. No, she just wanted to enjoy this perfect, tranquil moment.

They sat together and watched as the sun disappeared beneath the waves.