SOUL

adamma dies

June 20th, 2008

The day Adamma passed was one that changed everything for Leo.

It had started like any other day—he woke up to the smell of breakfast cooking, the sound of his mom humming softly in the kitchen. But by afternoon, everything had shattered. His mom had collapsed suddenly, right in the middle of the grocery store. A heart attack. There had been no warning, no signs. By the time she reached the hospital, it was too late.

Leo couldn't believe it. He couldn't process it. It didn't make sense. One minute she was there—alive, vibrant, making pancakes and teasing him about cleaning his room—and the next, she was gone. Just like that.

"Your mother's gone." his father spoke as tears fell down his cheeks.

Those three words had shattered everything, but now, sitting there in the dark, he felt nothing. He couldn't process it, couldn't let it sink in. He was afraid that if he did, he'd break, and there would be no putting the pieces back together. So he stayed still, his mind drifting, floating somewhere far away, like he was watching everything happen from outside his own body.

The world around him blurred, each day bleeding into the next. People called, people came by to check on him, but he barely registered their voices. The condolences, the hugs, the sad, pitying looks—they all passed over him like he was made of glass, and he didn't respond. He was numb, hollow.

He went over their last conversation over and over in his head, replaying it on a loop trying to remember the last words he would speak to her.

Adamma stood by the front door, keys clutched in her hand, her coat draped over her shoulders. She glanced back at Leo, who was hunched over at the kitchen table, absently stirring his coffee. He hadn't noticed her yet, lost in his own thoughts. She hesitated, her eyes lingering on him—taking in the way his hair was slightly tousled, the quiet focus on his face.

She knew this might be the last time she'd see him, the last chance to say goodbye. The thought weighed heavy on her heart, but she forced herself to stay composed, to keep her voice calm. He didn't need to know, didn't need to carry that burden.

"I'm heading out to the store," she said, trying to sound casual. "You need anything?"

Leo glanced up, momentarily confused, like he hadn't realized she was still there. "No, I'm all set," he said, shaking his head. "Thanks, though."

She smiled, a gentle, knowing smile, one that seemed to carry more weight than usual. "Alright. I'll be back soon." She hesitated, then stepped closer, reaching out to touch his cheek. "Promise me you'll take care of yourself, okay?"

Leo frowned, thrown off by her sudden seriousness. "Mom, I'm fine. You're just going to the store. I'll be okay."

"I know," she said, her laugh soft, tinged with something he couldn't quite place. "But promise me anyway. Just... do it for me."

Leo gave her a puzzled look but nodded. "Alright, I promise. You're being kind of intense, you know that?"

She chuckled, the sound gentle but sad. "I guess I am," she said, shaking her head. "But I'm your mom. I'm allowed to be a little intense sometimes."

She pulled him into a hug, holding on longer than usual, like she was savoring the moment. Leo hugged her back, not thinking much of it, just leaning into the warmth. When she pulled away, she kept her hands on his shoulders, her gaze steady.

"I love you, Leo," she said, her voice firm but soft, as if she needed him to truly hear it this time. "More than anything."

Leo's smile faded a little as he looked at her, trying to read her expression. "I love you too, Mom. What's with all this? You're acting... different."