Faithful Horizons

Chapter 37: The Final Test

The sound of hospital machines was a low hum in the background as Ethan sat in the chair by his mom's bedside. She was sleeping peacefully now, her chest rising and falling in steady, shallow breaths. A nurse had come in earlier to check her vitals and adjust her IV, offering Ethan a sympathetic smile as she left the room.

Ethan leaned forward, his elbows resting on his knees as he clasped his hands together. His Bible sat closed on the small table beside him, its worn cover a testament to how often he'd turned to it in recent weeks.

But tonight, the words inside felt far away.

"You're gonna pull through this," Ethan said quietly, his voice breaking the silence. "You always do."

He wanted to believe that. He needed to believe that. But the tightness in his chest told him otherwise.

The next day, Ethan sat on the couch in Grace's living room, his knee bouncing as he stared at the untouched cup of tea in his hands. Grace was sitting beside him, her expression soft but concerned.

"She's not getting better," Ethan said finally, his voice low. "The doctors aren't saying it, but I can tell."

Grace nodded, letting the silence stretch before speaking. "Have you talked to her about it?"

Ethan shook his head, his grip tightening on the mug. "What am I supposed to say? 'Hey, Mom, it looks like you're not going to make it'? I can't do that, Grace. She's all I've got."

"You don't have to say it like that," Grace said gently. "But maybe she needs to know how you feel. And maybe you need to know how she feels too."

Ethan let out a shaky breath, setting the mug on the table. "I don't know if I can handle that."

Grace placed her hand on his arm, her touch steadying. "You don't have to handle it alone."

That evening, Ethan sat by his mom's bed again, the weight of Grace's words pressing down on him.

"Mom," he said softly, his voice hesitant.

Her eyes fluttered open, and she gave him a faint smile. "Hey, sweetie."

Ethan swallowed hard, trying to find the right words. "I... I don't know if I've ever told you how much you mean to me."

Her brow furrowed slightly. "Ethan, what's this about?"

"I just..." He paused, his throat tightening. "I don't say it enough. And I know I haven't always been the best son. I've made a lot of mistakes. But you've always been there for me, even when I didn't deserve it."

Tears welled in her eyes as she reached out, taking his hand in her frail ones. "You've always been enough for me, Ethan. Mistakes and all. You're my son, and I love you."

Ethan felt the tears spill over, his shoulder shaking as he leaned forward and rested his forehead against her hand. "I love you too, Mom," he whispered.

Hours later, Ethan sat in the hospital room again, his mom's hand clasped in his. The beeping of the monitor had slowed, and her breaths were shallow and uneven.

He glanced at the Bible on the bedside table, its pages worn from use. Reaching for it, he opened to one of the passages Grace had shared with him weeks ago:

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." - Psalm 34:18.

He read the verse aloud, his voice trembling but steadying as he repeated it. "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."

His mom's breathing slowed further, her chest rising and falling in faint, uneven movements.

"Mom," he said softly, his voice breaking. "It's okay. You can rest now. I'll be okay. I promise."

She exhaled one last, shallow breath, and the monitor went silent.

For a moment, Ethan couldn't move. The room felt impossibly still, the weight of the moment pressing down on him. But then he leaned forward, resting his forehead against her hand one last time.

"I love you," he whispered, his tears soaking into the thin hospital sheet.

The next day, Ethan stood in the park, the cold wind biting at his skin as he stared at the horizon. Grace stood beside him, her hand tucked into his.

"She's really gone," he said quietly.

Grace nodded, her voice gentle. "She is. But she's with God now."

Ethan closed his eyes, the knot in his chest tightening before it loosened. He thought about her final words, the strength in her voice even as her body faded.

"I thought I'd feel empty," he admitted. "Like there'd be nothing left. But I don't."

Grace turned to him, her eyes searching his. "What do you feel?"

Ethan looked at her, his expression steady. "Grateful. For her, for you, for everything I've been given."

Grace smiled, tears glistening in her eyes. "She'd be so proud of you, Ethan."

He nodded, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "I think she knew I'd be okay. Even when I didn't."

They stood there in silence, the wind rustling the trees around them.

Ethan felt a deep, quiet peace settle over him for the first time in what felt like forever. He wasn't alone.

He never had been.

A/N:

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