Chapter 8
A Mother’s Love
When the door opened and her parents walked in, Celia was disappointed. She had hoped it would be Martin first and then her parents. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to see them, because she did. When her mother came over to the bed and took her hand, she wanted to cry.
“How are you dear? Is there anything we can get you?”
“No, I’m just glad you’re here,” Celia said, closing her eyes. She hadn’t realized how hard it would be to lie to her parents. She had just thought about Martin and how easy it would be to make him squirm.
Now, facing her parents, this wasn’t going to be easy. She felt a tear trickle down her cheek and felt like a little girl when her mother reached up and wiped it away. “Don’t cry dear. It’s going to be fine. You need to rest and do exactly what the doctors say.”
“Thanks, Mom. I’m really glad you’re here.” Celia knew she should be laying the groundwork for her story. She should be asking about the party that was yet to happen and where Martin was, but she couldn’t do it.
Instead of saying anything, she listened to them talk about the family, how they were doing and that they all sent their love. After a few moments, her dad stepped out of the room promising to check on her later. When he was gone, her mother moved over and held her hand again.
“I’m sure you don’t feel up to a lot of chit chat so I won’t stay long. I just wanted a few moments alone with my little girl.”
“I’m not so little anymore, Mom.”
“You’ll always be my little girl. One day when you have children of your own, you’ll understand.”
“I don’t know, Mom. Maybe children aren’t in my future. Martin doesn’t seem to think I’m mother material and I’m not sure I even want kids.”
“It’s not a big deal if you don’t. You have to live your life for yourself - be your own person. When you find the right man, you might wants kids and still, if not, it’s your life.”
Celia spoke weakly, “Maybe you’re right. At this moment, I’m not even sure what I want out of life.”
“I understand. I know you’ve been through a lot. I just want to say, if you want Martin in your life, then fight for him. Don’t let anyone take him away from you.”
Celia looked at her mother and though she wanted to go on with the charade, she just could not lie to the woman who meant so much to her. “Mom, did the doctors tell you, that—?”
Her mother shook her head, leaned down and placed a kiss on Celia’s forehead before speaking, “I don’t want you to say anything. Just know that I love you and want you to be happy. Keep one thing in mind, all is fair in love and war. If you need time to make up your mind or to test the waters, do what you feel is best.”
Celia was amazed at what her mother was saying. She tried to sit up in bed but couldn’t and paid for the small movement with a sharp pain down her back. She closed her eyes and more tears streamed down her face from the pain, inside and out.
“Don’t move around, Celia,” her mother said. “You need time to heal. Don’t force yourself to do anything you’re not ready to do. Take your time, the healing will come.”
When the door opened, Mike walked in instead of her dad. Celia’s brow furrowed and she closed her eyes. Was God trying to punish her for lying by sending everyone else in to see her before Martin?
Mike hadn’t done anything to hurt her. He had been there for her when she needed someone. He listened to her go on and on about Martin, a man who was his best friend, and never once had he said one word.
The pain in her back had not subsided and, once again, her mother stepped in taking control of the situation. She felt her mother’s hand on her arm and nodded when she asked, “Honey, do you need something for pain?”
“Yes, please.”
“Okay, dear, I’ll get someone but that’s enough of you worrying about any party. I don’t want you talking about anything. Martin can visit with his parents and I’ll call everyone in our family and tell them the party has been canceled.”
Celia wanted to protest, wanted to ask her mother to forgive her for lying but she just nodded when her mother once again kissed her on the forehead. “Rest dear and we’ll be back later in the day.”
“Thanks, Mom,” Celia said closing her eyes. She overheard her mother speaking with Mike as she walked toward the door. She did her best to act like she wasn’t listening because, at this moment, she just wanted to be alone so she could go back to sleep and forget this pain she was in.
“Mike,” her mother began in a very low tone, “no questions to my daughter that might upset her. Also, I don’t think anyone should stay long. She’ll be back to her old self in no time but, for now, we need to give her time to focus on getting well.”
“Yes, Ma’am. I’ll just stay a few minutes.”
“Good, dear. She might be ready for a sip of ice water. I’ll go see if I can find Martin.” Vicky smiled and turned back to the bed. “Again, dear, don’t worry. We’ll cancel the party and reschedule at a later date.”
Celia only nodded and her mother whispered something else to Mike and then stepped out of the room. Mike took one step closer to the bed and then another.
Before the break-up she and Mike hadn’t spoken that much. There would have been no real reason for him to come in for a visit other than to relay a message from Martin. Celia didn’t want to lie to Mike but the pain in her body was making it hard to concentrate.
“Is there anything I can do or get for you?” Mike offered.
“Yes, please,” Celia began, “I need to drink something. Could you find that button and raise the bed for me? I don’t want to be reaching around trying to find it.”
“Sure,” he said. In a matter of seconds, Mike had poured a glass of water and located the button used to raise or lower the bed. He had to adjust the bed slowly and Celia asked him to stop twice as she let a wave of pain flow over her body.
Once she was in a more elevated position, Mike held the glass and positioned the straw so she could take a few sips. The water felt so good but again she took a deep pain. This one hurt so much she cried out.
Mike reached out his hand and lightly touched her shoulder as he spoke to her in a soft voice. The pain was so bad that she wasn’t sure what he’d said but the tone of his voice seemed to soothe her.
After a few moments had passed she let out a sigh and nodded. “It’s gone. It sure does hurt.”
“You need to rest and quit talking. I’m sure everything is a strain.”
“It is. I just want to sleep.”
“Okay. After Martin comes in it will be time for you to take a break.”
“I think you’re right. Thanks for dropping by. Did you give Martin a ride?”
Though her question was innocent enough, she saw a flicker of something in Mike’s eyes. Everyone must have been told that she’d lost her memory. She didn’t want to deceive Mike but if anyone would convince Martin that she’d lost her memory, it would be this man.