Game Over: Life's Over

More Important To Me

I hope everyone has a great week whether you are celebrating a holiday or not. My socials are listed in my bio if anyone needs to talk.

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I was glad to see Mom when she walked into the room. After getting moved to the fourth floor, the nurses there got me prepped for all the tests they wanted to run. They let me get rid of the oxygen tube on my face but the other things attached to me had to stay. I felt like I was a science experiment and I really didn't like that. It was already bad enough that I had the genetic mutation that made me different.

Mom was in a sweatshirt and sweatpants. It wasn't something she wore out. She really must have been worried to come in such a dressed-down outfit.

Eric stood in the doorway while Mom entered the room. He'd gone downstairs to walk Mom up to my room so she wouldn't get lost.

Mom walked over to me with her best attempt at a 'I'm here to cheer you up' smile. "Hey, baby. I heard you're not feeling very well."

I shook my head.

Theo got up from the chair he was sitting in so Mom could have it. "I'll give you guys a few minutes. Lydia, do you want a coffee?"

Mom shook her head. "No, I'm okay. Thank you, though,"

Theo nodded and left the room, Eric following behind him.

Mom took my hand and squeezed it. I could see her looking at all the 'decorations' on my arm. There was the Oximeter, a hospital bracelet, an IV sticking out of the back of my hand, and a blood pressure cuff around my forearm. The whole setup made me feel like I had a bionic arm.

"I didn't bring anything from the house," I said, frowning. "We came straight here from the doctor's office."

"That's okay, sweetie. One of us can go to the house and get whatever you need." She ran her fingers through my hair and I leaned into her touch. "Why don't you lie down? Eric said you've been up most of the morning."

"I'm not tired," I said. "I feel fine except for my stomach. The nurse gave me something to help it but it doesn't work all the time. It's been like off and on for a while now."

"They can't give you too much or else it could hurt you."

I frowned. "I just want to get better."

"I know, sweetie. I want you to get better, too."

"Are you gonna stay or do you have to go back to work?"

"I'm staying. I took some time off from work so I can be with you. You're more important to me."

My eyes welled up with tears and I felt like such a baby. I hated that I was so emotional anymore. The stupid mutation made my emotions go up and down like a roller coaster. Anymore, it felt like I was always having meltdowns.

"Jake, don't cry. It's okay," She said. Her voice was soft and I was glad it was just the two of us in the room. I liked having the privacy to have a moment like that with her.

I leaned forward on my knees and wrapped my arms around her neck. It felt like I'd been waiting my whole life for my mom to put me first and realize that I was more important than her job. She'd been doing better since I was diagnosed and I really appreciated the effort. She was trying to be more present in my life and show me how much I meant to her. I wished things had been different growing up but I was still glad that our relationship was being fixed now. Better late than never.

Mom rubbed my back and I got the sense that she wanted the hug just as much as I needed it.

I pulled back and rubbed my eyes, clearing them of my tears. I sat back down on the bed and yawned.

Mom laughed softly. "I thought you said you weren't tired."

"I'm not."

She lifted the remote that worked the TV from the side of the bed and set it down beside me. "Why don't you lay down and watch some TV? You don't have to go to sleep."

I eyed her cautiously. I knew what she was up to.

She smiled. "I just want you to take it easy. That's all." She got up from her seat and pulled back the thin blanket that was folded up by my feet. She unfolded it and covered my legs with it.

I watched her walk around the side of the bed. She kicked her shoes off under the couch and picked up my binky from the top of my diaper bag. Eric had put it there in case I wanted it.

She lowered the railing on the bed on that side and sat down on the bed. She handed over my binky to me, which was tied to a clip that I could attach to my clothes.

Moving out of Mom's way, I stuck my binky in my mouth. Mom helped me get comfortable as we laid side by side in the bed. She had to remind me to be careful with the wires coming off my right side so I didn't pull anything off or out.

I was glad to have Mom there when I needed her the most. And I was only going to need her more as my health got worse and worse.