ICONIC LOVE

Chapter 12

Angst warning but everything calms down at the end

Once Meryl heard Mamie say the headline, everything zoned out around her, she couldn’t hear, she couldn’t speak, she couldn’t move. Everything she had feared would happen did happen and it was unbearable, now what would she do? Meryl didn’t know. She had only had 3 mayor panic attacks since developing anxiety, this being the third, all happening while with Cher because she knew how to keep her calm and didn’t want anyone but her to know about her condition. Only now she was having one mayor one and it was because of this mess and in front of her kids. She didn’t want to worry them but it was too late. Meryl started sweating and shaking, fear taking all over her body. She was about to zone out completely and fall on her trembling knees when she felt two hands holding hers but couldn’t react.

Cher was worried, the family was scared but only she knew how to act
“What’s wrong with her?” Grace asked in a shaky voice, scared about her mother. Cher didn’t answer but ran to Meryl as fast as she could and grabbed her hands.

“No no no please Meryl not now, your kids are here” she whispered. No response “Honey we’re going to be alright, I promise you that you’re safe”

“Cher?” Georgia asked but Cher was too focus on Meryl

Meryl started hyperventilating “Babe breath please, remember how to breath” Meryl tried but it was really hard

“Is she having a panic attack? I’ve seen other people have them” Louisa asked nervously.

“Yes” was all Cher could say before she felt Meryl falling “Sh*t” Cher got behind Meryl and embraced her.

"Ssshhh easy baby, you're alright" Both of them ended up sitting on the floor. Meryl still breathing hard and with an expressionless face on just staring into space.

“Susie!!!” Cher yelled for the maid. Susie comes running to her “Get Meryl’s meds from my room, now!!!” Susie hurried to get the medication; the poor woman only saw an attack once so she knew where to find them. The pills were only used when necessary

“Sis what the hell?” Georganne asked in concerned but Cher couldn’t answer, she was too focus on calming Meryl down

Susie came rushing with the pills and a glass of water. Cher took them and loosen Meryl so she could take them “Deep breaths baby, look at me. Here” Meryl looked at her wife straight in the eyes, she tried her best to even out her breathing to take the medication. Still shaking, she took the pills with the water and buried inside Cher’s chest. The family around them watched the scene both in concerned and amazement on how Cher was handling the situation.

“There, I’m here. You’re going to be ok, we can fix this. Just breath, I love you” Cher stroked Meryl’s hair on the floor as she slowly calmed down and fell asleep in her arms. It was the pill taking effect

Cher looked up to the scared and concerned faces and saw the girls crying “Hey hey girls, don’t cry. She’s going to be ok, this is why I didn’t want her to hear the news this morning but I guess she had to know”

“I’m sorry; I didn’t know she would react that way. I shouldn’t have said anything” Mamie said almost crying

“Don’t blame yourself sweetie, like you said, you didn’t know” Cher looked down; they were still on the floor “Henry can you please take her to our room so she can sleep better? She’s really heavy” Henry nodded and carried Meryl, she was out cold. When he came back they all sat on the couch taking a moment to process the situation.

“Mom, what just happened?” Chaz asked. They all stared at her

Cher sighed hesitating for a moment “Meryl suffers from anxiety; it’s not that serious but this is the third time in years since developing it that she’s had a mayor panic attack”