Home Away From Home

Chapter 9

"Sweetie, you're back." Sally said with a weak smile. Nick walked up to his laying mother on the bed.

"Mom? What's going on here? Is this some kind of joke?"

"I wish it was."

"Mom.." Nick's voice cracked. Valerie could tell he would crack any minute.

"I have a brain tumor."

"What? No, no you don't. Stop lying. You're healthy, you're fine, this is all some joke, we're gonna go home and talk about things and have a big dinner. You are fine." Nick knew she wasn't fine, but he wanted to believe she was. 

"You're right. I am fine. This is no big deal."

"How long have you had it?"

"About 4 months now."

"And you didn't tell me? Why did you do that?"

"I didn't want you to overreact and worry to much."

"So how bad is it?"

"Not bad."

"Is it cure able?"

"We're not sure yet."

"So if it's not that bad, what are you doing here?"

"They, uh.." Sally looked at Valerie for help.

"It's bad." Valerie said. Nick looked at Val.

"How bad?"

"She.. can't... it's hard for her to walk." 

"What do you mean? Mom?"

"I'm too weak." 

"No mom.." Nick started crying. "You need to come home. Why can't we just take you home?"

"It's harder for me to breathe at home."

"Then we'll give you space."

"No, it's just harder there."

"Why didn't you tell me?!?" There's the crack, Val thought. "I told you everything, Valerie. Everything! I told you how Joe died, how his wife was pregnant! I told you everything I was allowed to! How could you?!?"

"I wanted to tell you.. I did..-"

"But I didn't let her." Sally interrupted.

"Why not, mom?"

"You had a lot going on. You were fighting for our country. I didn't want to give you something more to worry about."

"I worried about you everyday! I wouldn't mind if you told me the truth. I would want to hear it!"

"I just..."

"I can't believe you." Nick stormed out. He couldn't believe them. Of course he felt terrible and wanted to sit there and talk to his mom, but he was furious. How could they keep this away from him? This is a big deal. What if something happened to her and he would've even known why. It was wrong for them to keep this away from him, but it was even more wrong to walk away. Valerie ran after him. She found him walking out of the parking lot. 

"Nick!" He didn't stop, just kept walking. She ran after him and grabbed his wrist. "Nick." He stopped. 

"Let go of me Valerie."

"Nick, stop. Just calm down." Nick turned around.

"Calm down?!? Calm down? How can I calm down? My mother is up in the hospital bed with brain tumor for the past 4 months and I didn't even know about it! You should've told me!"

"I wanted to. I did. Sally did too. We just didn't want you to worry so much. It would've distracted you and you could've gotten yourself killed! Do you think we wanted that? We want you alive! I want you alive!"

"That doesn't matter. You still should've told me."

"Your life does matter. It will be harder for Sally to stay strong because there's no purpose to stay alive if you're dead. I would give up on life and Zack won't have a role model. He looks up to you, we all do."

"This whole country looks up to me! Do you know how hard it is for me? I hate to disappoint mom, you, or Zack, but now I can disappoint this whole country. I don't want that."

"If it's so hard for you, you can always leave the military."

"I know, but I don't want to. I love it. I love what I'm capable of doing. It let's me know that mom, Zack, and especially you are safe."

"Nick, please come back up. I know you're mad about us not telling you, but Sally needs you. You are her encouragement to stay strong. Please, just be there for her." Val picked up her hand. Nick looked down to it. "Please Nick." He slowly picked up his hand and put it in hers. Val smiled. "Come on." They walked back in the hospital to Sally's room. When they came in, Sally smiled wide. Nick knew that took all her strength. They walked up to Sally and Nick took her hand in his.

"I'll be here for you, mom." A tear rolled down Sally's cheek. "I promise." Sally's grip tightened around her son's hand. She was a proud mother.