From the Ashes

Chapter 1

The little hand pointed to the number five, the big hand to six.

5:30, it'd read on the clock. Late afternoon and nearly time for dinner, though food had been the furthest thing on my mind, no matter how many times my stomach reminded me.

My gaze drifted from the mounted clock to the large, wooden door that belonged to Room 341, where a nurse carrying a tray of medical instruments just exited. She walked in our direction and past by us, her sneakers smacking gently against the vinyl flooring. No sign of the doctor yet.

I looked away from the door to my father, who sat beside me with Livvy sleeping on his lap. He caressed the top of her head, tucking the strands behind her ear. His attention fixed on the blank wall across the chairs, his expression just as blank.

How long had it been now? Thirty minutes? An hour? Time seemed to stretched on, especially in a hospital. It was like being in a place unbounded by time.

I reached for Dad's other free hand and took it into mine. The motion made him flinch but when he saw it was me, he squeezed my hand and gave me a small smile, to which I returned.

After what seemed like an eternity, both of us heard a door open and a set of footsteps coming in our direction. We turned to see the doctor coming toward us with his clipboard. Dad flashed me one last look before rising from the chair to meet him. Livvy remained in his arms, not stirring in the least.

"How is she, doctor?" I overheard my father ask.

"Well, Scott, your wife's condition isn't looking too good right now," he replied in a low tone. "The cancer has metastasized. I've given her morphine for the pain, but we're doing everything we can to help Amity."

My Dad sighed, turning his head away from the doctor. He closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "How much longer does she have?"

"To tell you the truth, not much. There are times she barely has strength to move around..."

The voices of both my father and the doctor faded out as I watched the same nurse who left Room 341 go back inside, this time with a glass of water and what looked like pills in a plastic cup. I stood from my chair and scurried up to the door, standing beside it. I shoved my hands into my jean pockets and cast my eyes to the ground, waiting until the nurse came out so I could sneak inside.

"Could we see her?" Dad asked. "My daughters haven't been able to visit their mother since last week."

"When she wakes, you'll be allowed to see Amity. I wouldn't advise the three of you to stay long, however. She's very weak, and I don't want her to exert herself..."

My eavesdropping was cut short by the sound of the door opening. The nurse and I made eye contact and she nodded at me before leaving. The doctor and my Dad continued their conversation, their backs turned. Seizing the opportunity, I slinked into Room 341 just before the door clicked shut behind me. I stood still for a moment, taking in the room.

The space wasn't huge or grandiose, but it was large enough to fit in my mother's hospital bed and a side table. The staff also managed to squeeze in a vomit green loveseat, which pressed against the wall beneath the draped window. The walls had been painted in beige and light grays, giving off a neutral yet dull ambiance.

The heart monitor across from me beeped, the lines zigzagging up and down on the screen. My Mom hadn't given up just yet. I took baby steps toward her bed, clutching my backpack strap.