Beneath the Surface

Just The Two Of Us

The clock strikes midnight, its chime a solitary echo in the quiet expanse of the night. Restlessness stirs within my mother, compelling her to leave the confines of her own bed and venture into mine. With silent determination, she approaches, her footsteps soft against the cool floorboards.

Gently, she settles beside me, her gaze tender yet laden with concern. In the dim light filtering through the curtains, she observes me with a mother's keen eye, noting the subtle shifts in my breathing.

As she watches over me, her touch is gentle, her fingers tracing the curve of my cheek with a tenderness born of maternal instinct. With each caress, she seeks to alleviate the burdens that weigh upon my soul.

Suddenly, amidst the tranquillity of sleep, I find myself thrust into a vivid nightmare. The memory of my father's accident emerges from the depths of my subconscious, haunting every corner of my mind. I stand helplessly at the scene of the accident, the sound of screeching tyres echoing around me.

My heart pounds in my chest as I watch my father lying motionless on the pavement, the stark reality of the moment searing through my consciousness. It is a nightmare from which I cannot wake, a cruel reminder of the pain and sorrow that have shattered my world.

As I jolt awake, trembling and afraid, my mum quickly embraces me. "It's okay, sweetheart, it was just a dream," she whispers, her voice a soothing melody in the darkness. She presses a tender kiss to my forehead and begins to trace her fingers through my hair.

But I cannot shake the fear that grips me, the memories of the past too fresh in my mind. "I don't want to remember any of it, Mum," I confess, my voice trembling with uncertainty. "If I sleep, I'll just relive it all over again."

Holding me close, my mum gently hushes me. "Shh, my love, you won't have any nightmares. I'll be right here with you," she reassures me, her embrace and words offering solace. "Just close your eyes and rest. I promise you'll be safe." With her words lingering in the air like a whispered prayer, she guides me back to sleep.

As the morning sun peeks through the curtains, I find myself awake, greeted by the realisation that my mum has already risen. After freshening up, I decide to take a walk to clear my mind, hoping to shake off the remnants of last night's unsettling dream.

As I make my way out, I catch sight of Dr. Martins preparing to leave. Their voices drift to me, and I pause to eavesdrop, unable to resist overhearing their conversation.

"Good morning, Mrs Carter. How are you today?" Dr. Martins's voice is warm and reassuring.

"Oh, good morning, Dr. Martins. I'm alright, thank you," my mum replies, her tone tinged with concern. "Just a bit worried about Samara."

My heart clenches at the sound of my name, knowing that my struggles are weighing heavily on her.

"It's natural to feel concerned, especially after last night," Dr. Martins continues. "How is she doing?"

"She's struggling," my mum confesses. "She had another nightmare, and it's taking a toll on her. I just feel so helpless seeing her like this."

I fight back tears as I listen to her words, knowing the pain I am causing her.

"It's going to take time, Mrs Carter," Dr. Martins reassures her. "Healing isn't always linear, but with your support and patience, I believe she'll overcome this."

"I hope so," my mum sighs. "I just want her to be happy and at peace again."

"And she will be, I assure you," Dr. Martins says confidently. "We'll work together to help her through this."

Feeling overwhelmed by guilt and sadness, I quietly slip away, tears welling up in my eyes. As I walk, I make a silent vow to push my pain aside and focus on being positive for my mum. She deserves nothing less than my best effort to support her through this difficult time.

With renewed determination, I head back home, ready to face the day with a brave facade, all for the sake of my dear mum.

As I step into my room, the only thing on my mind is to make my mum happy and ease her worries. With practiced ease, I plaster a smile on my face, determined to convince myself and everyone else that I am fine. But the facade is exhausting, and the cracks threaten to break through at any moment.

A few minutes later, there is a knock on my door, and Liam pokes his head in, concern etched on his features. "Hey, Sam, just wanted to check on you. Are you okay?"

I nod, flashing him a bright smile. "Yeah, I'm good. Just a rough night, you know how it is."

Liam studies me for a moment, his gaze searching for any sign of weakness. But I hold his gaze steadily, refusing to let him see the turmoil raging inside me.

Finally, he relents, offering a small smile of his own. "Alright, if you say so. Though I'm here if you need anything, okay?" Liam says, sitting beside me.

Before I can respond, Amari saunters in, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Well, well, what do we have here? The dynamic duo in action."

I roll my eyes at her teasing tone, but inwardly, I am grateful for the distraction. Liam shoots her a playful glare before turning back to me, leaning in to press a gentle kiss to my forehead.

"Take care of yourself, okay?" he murmurs, his voice soft with concern.

Amari, always the perceptive one, joins in on the moment, wrapping me in a tight hug. "We'll get through this together, Sam. You're not alone."

For a brief moment, I allow myself to believe her words, to bask in the warmth of their support. But deep down, I know that healing will take time, and pretending to be okay is just the first step on a long journey ahead.

As we gather around the dining table for lunch, the atmosphere buzzes with anticipation. I cannot shake the idea that has been brewing in my mind since morning, and now, with everyone together, it feels like the perfect moment to broach the subject.

"Hey, Mum," I begin, trying to sound casual despite the nerves fluttering in my stomach. "I've been thinking... what if we moved to Boston?"

My mum pauses mid-bite, her fork frozen in mid-air as she stares at me in surprise. "Boston? But why, sweetheart?"

I take a deep breath, steeling myself for her reaction. "I just... I only have you, Mum. And I don't want to be far from you, especially after everything that's happened. I want us to be together."

Her eyes soften with understanding, but there is a hint of hesitation in her voice as she speaks. "But what about my job here, Sam? I can't just up and leave."

I shake my head, determined to find a solution. "You can get a transfer, Mum. I'm sure they won't deny you. It's either you come with me, or I leave Boston and come stay here with you."

Liam and Amari nod in agreement, their expressions filled with support. "Yeah, I think it's a great idea," Liam chimes in. "You and Sam can be together, and you won't have to worry about Sam being so far away."

Amari adds, "Plus, Boston is amazing! I'm sure you'll adjust so easily, you'll like it there."

Slowly, my mum's resistance begins to crumble, replaced by a glimmer of excitement. "I suppose... it could be a fresh start for us," she says as she hesitantly smiles.

With a surge of excitement, I realise that we are actually going to do it. This is the second step towards making my mum happy and worry less, and I am thrilled that I succeeded in convincing her.

Over the next few days, Liam takes charge, using his charm and persuasive skills to talk to a real estate agent and find the perfect house for us in Boston. Meanwhile, we pack up our belongings and put our house on the market, ready to leave behind the memories of the past and embrace the promise of the future.

And before we know it, the week has flown by, and we are standing outside our new home in Boston, the excitement palpable in the air. As we step inside, the house is perfectly furnished, cosy and perfect for me and my mum.

As we settle into our new house in Boston, eagerly embracing the opportunities and adventures that await us, I cannot shake the sense of uncertainty lingering in the back of my mind. Will I ever fully heal from the pain of the past? It remains an unanswered question, casting a shadow over our newfound happiness. Yet, amidst this uncertainty, one thing is clear: being with my mum, navigating life's challenges together, offers a comfort beyond measure. And for now, that is enough to ignite a glimmer of hope for the future.