everything happens for a reason - chapter 1

chapter 12

Chapter 12

I stood there cold and numb to the world.

Spencer was standing next to me, and Mr. Thompson was on the other side of the bed. I continued to stare at my mom pale, motionless body, unaware of what everyone was saying around me. The light shaking of my shoulders made me drag my bloodshot, stinging eyes away from her and look at Spencer hesitantly... I didn’t want him seeing me so fragile.

So weak.

“Alex, baby…” he paused “Did you hear my dad?” he asked looking at me, his eyes full of worry.

“Whaa… Huh?” I squinted my eyes and rubbed then “No sorry... I missed that...” I shook my head and looked at dr. Thompson.

“Its alright...” he smiled his reassuring smile and went on “We lost your mom for a bit, but we were able to revive her.” I let out a breath I didn’t even know I was holding. She was alive.  “She had to go into emergency surgery, so we put her in a chemically induced coma. She should wake up soon. She’ll be okay” he said with an other smile creeping on his face.

I smiled to myself for the first time since the dinner at spencer’s house. “So…she’s gonna live?” I asked just barely above a whisper. He nodded and smiled warmly and I couldn’t help but grin like an idiot, a small giggle escaping my lips.

“There’s just one thing I need to discuss with you, so you can talk to her about it when she’s more. Coherent.” the smile dropped from my face and nodded. “Let go out here” he motioned to the door and I nodded again and followed him, with Spencer at my side, to the little area next to the waiting room by the vending machines. Which were only 3 tables with 3 chairs at each.

I sat down and leaned my arms on the table. “Okay... I’m listening...”

He pulled out a folded pamphlet and slid across the table without a word. I picked it up and read it out loud. “New Hope Health Services of Hawthorne, CA.? You want my mom to go to rehab in California?” I asked, completely taken aback.

“Yes.” He nodded but rethought that and went on “Well it doesn’t necessarily have to be in California but being a doctor, I hear from other doctors, and many of them recommended this place” he said nodding to the paper in my hands.

“I... I don’t know... It’s so far... And she’s all I have left... And I’d never get to see her... I mean I want her to go... But what if she doesn’t? What if something happens out there? What if she relapses? I’d never forgive myself!” I said with new tears stinging my eyes.

“Alex...“ he put a comforting hand on my arm and I looked up at him. “She isn’t the only thing you have left. You have Spencer and I, you know that. I know its gonna be hard watching her leave for 3 months” my eyes widened and I wanted to protest but I snapped my mouth shut tighter. “But you also have to think of her... Think if she doesn’t go... If she keeps drinking like that... Not only will you still have to take care of her, but what if one day she doesn’t come home after a night of drinking and you find out from the police that they found her dead somewhere because of her drinking... I don’t want to see that happen and I know you don’t either”

I swallowed hard and looked him dead in the eye for a few seconds before taking a deep breath... “Alright... I’ll convince her to go... She needs it...” I smiled slightly then stood up and tucked the paper in the back pocket of my jeans...

He smiled warmly back at me, as did Spencer, and hugged me before turning away to go see other patients.

“It’ll be okay... It’ll be a hard 3 months but at least you know she’ll be okay” Spencer said reassuringly and came over, pulling me into a hug. I wrapped my arms tightly around him and absorbed his warm embrace.