I turned the knob and watched as water began spurting out from shower head. I slowly pulled off my robe and got in. Even as the water began to engulf me in warmth, I still shook sobbing.
Sirens blared outside the house as I sat with my mom lying on my lap unconscious.
Paramedics rushed in and attempted to resuscitate her. After multiple attempts they carried her out to the ambulance and laid her across the gurney. Tears streaming down my face, I climbed in and sat next to her as they hooked her up to multiple machines. "Please wake up momma. " I whispered taking her hand.
I sat there helpless as the paramedics rushed to keep her breathing until we made it to the hospital.
---
"Listen Hun, you're going to need to stay out here. " the doctor informed me. They were wheeling her down the hall towards an operating room but I refused to leave her side, I ran beside them until another doctor forced me into the waiting room.
I sunk down into the chair and burst into tears. Every memory, and moment I ever shared with my mom played through my mind like a movie. She was my best friend, I told her everything and we loved eachothers company.
Suddenly the double doors of the waiting room burst open and in ran Cameron. He pulled me into his arms and held me as I cried into his chest. After what felt like forever, my sobs began to lessen and Cameron pulled away cupping my face in his hands. "What happened?" He asked quietly. I looked down and took a deep breath,"Her and Brad were fighting and he started making death threats so she kicked him out and she was just so stressed and from lack of oxygen when she was yelling she just passed out. It's happened before but she usually wakes up after thirty seconds. I didn't know what to do so I called an ambulance. " I explained before breaking into tears again. "Listen baby it's okay it's gonna be okay. " he assured as he ran his thumb across my cheekbone. We sat in silence until a nurse came out and sat across from us. My head popped up from Cameron's shoulder. "Is she okay?" I asked. She hesitated before she answered. "She is still asleep but our doctors are working hard and won't stop okay honey?" She began. "W-what do you mean asleep?" I interrogated. "She um is in a medically induced coma. " she replied. Cameron squeezed my hand to comfort me. "If you'd like I can have a hotel arranged for you two, it's right beside the hospital. " she suggested. Cameron looked at me to confirm. "That would be amazing , thank you so much. " he acknowledged. Once she left I stared at the ground in silence.
---
We had been coming every day to the hospital for two weeks. She was still unconscious. The doctors suggested I look into taking her off of life support but I couldn't bring myself to even listen.
Those two weeks turned into two months and two months turned into a year....
I was sitting at the table eating breakfast when Cameron came in. "It's time. " I whispered. "What?" He asked shutting the cupboard and walking towards me. "Are you sure Madison?" He asked taking my hands in his. I felt the tears stream down my face as I replied, "She's already gone, there's no point in making her suffer anymore it's hurting everyone. " Cameron looked unsure but drove me to the hospital.
We consulted with the Doctor, who had taken care of her from day one. If I wanted it my way I would have kept her there forever, hoping and praying everyday that she would wake up. But I finally had to realize she wasn't needed on the earth anymore and I had to let her go. Signing the papers and giving my mom one last hug was one of the hardest things I will ever do in my life.
I stand there letting the water cascade down me until I hear the bathroom door open. I tried to open my mouth but nothing came out, suddenly the shower door opened and Cameron's arms wrapped around me. He laid his head on my shoulder and kissed my neck softy. He pulled away for a moment and grabbed the shampoo, and put some in his hands to gently massage it into my scalp. "Cameron. " I whispered as he began to trail the soap down my shoulders and onto my stomach. "Yea baby?" He asked. I turned to him and wrapped my arms around his torso, feeling his warm body against me. "I miss her. " I cried. He grabbed my head and held it to his chest while I sobbed. I could hear his heart beat, the heartbeat I longed to hear from my mom as she lay in that hospital room. Cameron lifted my head up and pressed his lips to mine. Soon my tears became no more and I looked up at Cameron smiling. My mom was in a better place, no cheating husband, no long stressful work days, she was safe and so was I.
