Bombay

- - 9 - -

Within minutes another male in a white coat had entered the room, putting their body between Michaels and my mothers.

"Do not speak to her that way." Michael boomed loudly, as my mother met them with equal fury. 

"Don't tell me how to fucking parent!" She screamed back, her voice shrill and piercing. 

"I wouldn't have to if you gave her other parent a CHANCE." 

The room went silent in an instant, my heart pounding after his last remark. I felt my eyes widen as I slowly turned toward mom, wanting answers, but was too afraid to ask.

"Look. What. You. Fucking. Did." She gritted out, her hands balling into fists as she stepped toward Michael. That was all it took for the other man to put both hands out and speak firmly. 

"Both of you, OUT." He commanded, authoritatively. "This is not what a surgical recovery patient needs anywhere near them." He said, more toward Michael than anyone else. 

"This is clearly something that needs to be discussed privately, so take it down the hall and away from her.

It felt odd, being spoken about and around, but not directly toward. I had so many questions, and concerns, but no room to voice them. Instead, I just sat silently on the bed, wishing it could just absorb my body into the sheets.

I watched my mother hesitate, before slowly following Michael out into the hallway. On the way toward the curtain she glanced at the man and spoke harshly. "Not a word about this." Was all she said, before leaving. 

He turned his attention toward me, and his features softened automatically. 

"Are you alright?" He asked softly, moving to sit on the chair my mother had been on. 

I nodded silently, unsure of how to respond, or if my voice would even allow it. 

"That wasn't very professional of Michael, and I'm sorry he allowed it to escalate that way. I assure you, he'll be apologizing to both of you shortly." His voice was sincere and calm as he spoke. 

I felt a pang of guilt when I heard him place the blame on him and not more toward mom. Even if he did say something he wasn't supposed to, he had still defended me against her rath. Which was honestly refreshing after being used to it for so long. 

"It's really not his fault." I said, slightly above a whisper. "He just didn't like the way she spoke to me, which is fair." I watched as the man nodded, listening to me intently and pausing a moment before responding. 

"And that was nice of him, but he still shouldn't have questioned your mothers' decisions, especially not in front of you."

I let out a sigh as I listened, hating the entire situation. The whole damn thing was so confusing. 

I paused for a moment, before slowly looking up at him.

"What did he mean other parent?" I asked softly, feeling a lump start to form in my throat. The man stayed silent and shifted uncomfortably for a moment before finally standing up. 

"I'm afraid that's not for me to explain." He said, moving back toward the curtain. "I'm going to step out and check on them. If you need anything in the meantime there's a nurse's button the remote by your head. Feel free to ask for Ashton, and I'll be here as quick as I can."

I gave him a small smile in return, acknowledging what he'd said. The minute he was gone, I felt the tears finally slip down my cheeks. 

I really wasn't too sure why I was crying. Somewhere between all the tension and unanswered questions, I just felt so.. helpless.

I could hear their loud voices echoing down the hallway, and it was clear they were still duking it out. 

I groaned audibly and tucked a pillow over my head, shutting my eyes and muffling the sounds around me. It felt peaceful for a moment, like I could pretend to be in any other place but this one. 

This was short lived though, after a few minutes I heard someone come back into the room and a voice I recognized as moms come through the pillow.

"I don't give a fuck what you heard, I don't want one question asked about it. None of this is your concern." She said, in a low whisper next to the pillow. I gave a silent nod and tucked myself in a little deeper, pretending to be at a lake.