The Bounty

Ten

“I am so sorry for your loss. If you need anything you can call me.” The nurse said just as I was about to leave the hospital. My mom’s ashes were clutched tightly in my hands and I looked at the small container in wonder. It was strange to think that a whole person could fit in a small vase the size of my forearm.
“Thank you. It means a lot to me.” I said politely and walked out of the hospital. The glass doors shut behind me and I lingered for a few seconds.
With my mother’s ashes secured safely in my backpack, I started my motorcycle and drove off. It was hard keeping my mind on the road. I drove recklessly and some drivers yelled at me.
It was a short drive to the lake where I promised I would spread her ashes. There was small violet flowers that bloomed next to the lake and my mother used to love them. I started digging a hole near the flowers, but halfway through it my eyes started to burn.
“Mom, why did you have to leave me?” I wiped at the tears when they started rolling down my cheeks. “I don’t know what to do without you, Mom.”
I took a shuddering breath and remembered something. It was when we first found out about my mom’s illness. We were driving from the hospital and it was raining heavily.
“Lydia, I want you to know something.” There were tears forming in her dark brown eyes. “This is a serious illness and I won’t be here for much longer. I need you to know that I love you more than anything and I will still love you even when I die. Before I die-”
“Don’t say that. You are not going to die! They will fix you.” I couldn’t imagine a world without my mother.
“Honey…” My mother’s voice broke. “There is no cure. I will die and before that I need you to know something.”
“I do not need to know anything because you will not die!” I yelled at here.
My mother seemed to have given up. She sighed and said in a really serious tone, “Just stay strong. No matter what happens to me or to you, just stay strong and never give up. You are a Blackwell and you are just as stubborn as you grandfather.” There was a hint of a smile on her face.
Warm tears rolled down my checks.
I reached behind me to take the vase with the ashes out of my backpack, but before I could reach it a strange smelling cloth was pressed to my face.
Having no other choice, I breathed it in. My mind started to turn foggy and I passed out.