I made it, Ma

x

Two days and seven hours. That was how long it'd been since she'd been capable of doing anything. Two days and seven hours had gone by since Skaylers mother had been admitted to the hospital in the emergency room.

It had been that long since she'd last been home, not wanting to leave her mother for too long, instead opting to use the hospitals offered food and bathrooms. She didn't shower. She had a roll-in bed thing placed in there, shoved up against her mothers bed so she could sleep next to her. The two nights she did, she held her mother as best as she could, always thinking 'Tonight could be the last,' and crying herself (as silently as possible) to sleep.

She'd informed Counsell of the issue, told him she couldn't make spring training, maybe not make the first few games of the season. He'd told her to take as long as needed.

She wanted memories, so she'd recorded the times where her mother was strongest, getting so many recordings of her saying so many things.

"I love you, Skayler. So, so much. I am so incredibly proud of you, love," Skaylers throat clenched, hands shaking softly, feeling the burning in her nose as her eyes watered. Skaylers chest clenched tightly against her heart, she'd sat on the bed next to her mother, legs dangling off.

"I love you too, ma," Skayler sniffled. The doctors had finally decided her body couldn't take any more of the surgery, she couldn't lose anymore blood. 

They'd given her two days, due to her mother nearly begging the doctors to just let her go and that she couldn't use up all of their resources. Skayler had never sobbed for as long or as hard, her head and chest both pounding from everything.

Skayler had finally stopped texting James, giving up on him just as he gave up on them. Her throat tightened, jaw clenching tightly. 

Over the past two days, a few of her upcoming teammates had come over to greet her and her mother, being there as support.

Currently, though, no one was there. Just her mother and Skayler. 

"I love you, Skayler," her mothers voice had gone hoarse. "I love you, but I want to see him. I want to see my son before I go," Skayler choked back a sob, blinking the hot tears back. "Please, where is James?"

"Mom, I'm so sorry. I tried, honest to god," Skayler hiccuped through the sobbing. "He hasn't answered me. He, I don't know where he is or whats happening," Skayler sobbed loudly, choking.

She felt a hand, cold and clammy, wipe the tears away. "My little '84, please," her voice was coming in softer. The heart monitor was slowing down and Skayler jumped up, gripping her mothers hand.

"Mom, you're alright, right?" Her hands were shaking, the woman, pale as ever, smiled softly.

"You're the best kid I could've asked for. The best, honey. I love you, and I love James. I'll be watching you during your first game, yeah? Sitting in the best seats in the house," Skaylers heart skipped a beat. Her eyes were wide as her face heated up, tears pouring more heavily now. She nodded.

"Yeah, I'll get you the best seats, make sure you can see the best action," her voice cracked at the end, chapped lips falling to the cold hands of her mother. 

"Ma?" Her throat tightened.

"Mom, hey?" Her hand was limp in Skaylers, a strange and icy cold filling it. She stood, anxiety pulsing through her body and muscles constricting.

Skayler placed her hand on Charlottes cheek, her throat tightening as she was looking wildly around her face.

"Mom please, this isn't funny," she shook her head, blinking vigorously.

"Mo-om!" She wailed, the heart monitor now flat-lined, causing the standing girl to collapse to her knees. Sobs wracked her body as she gripped the hand of her deceased mother, tighter than a child would in fear. Her other hand was tight in the blanket as her voice echoed out a tune of agony and despair.

Everything in her world collapsed, surrounding her with a choking grief.

"Ple-he-he-se!" She whimpered, eyes clenching shut, trying to stop the damned reality of settling down.