Elizabeth rushed into the hospital room, out of breath from running. Kate had called her in tears after the tests Nathan ordered did in fact show that their mother had developed a dangerous infection.

“I got here as fast as I could.” She tried to catch her breath.

“Thank God.” Kate wrapped her in a hug.

“What’s going on?” Elizabeth had darted from the house the moment she got Kate’s call that their mother was being admitted. She didn’t even bother to listen to the details. She just ran to her car.

“Nathan wanted to run more tests because the first round came back funny or something,” Kate said, unfamiliar with the medical terminology.

“Okay.’ Elizabeth imagined the hundreds of scenarios that could lead to results like that.

“Anyway, he didn’t want us to leave until the new blood test came back. He said she has some kind of infection but I don’t remember what he called it.” Kate’s emotions were getting the best of her as she struggled to get the words out.

“Breathe, Kate. It’s okay.” Elizabeth did her best to remain calm for her sister, though she was on the verge of tears herself.

“What if it isn’t?” Kate sobbed as she laid her head on her sister’s shoulder.

“It will be,” Elizabeth assured her.

“You’re right.”

Elizabeth noticed the hospital bed behind them was empty. “Where is she?”

“They took her to do a CT scan. That was a while ago, though, so she should be back soon.”

“Until then, let’s get you some coffee. We’re going to get through this.”

Just then, an orderly wheeled Diane back into the room. Though she looked tired, she was smiling at her daughters and it gave both her girls a sense of relief.

“Mom!” Elizabeth jumped up and wrapped her arms around her.

“Hello, my love.”

“I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for your appointment.” Guilt was apparent on Elizabeth’s face. She had spent the whole drive to the hospital beating herself up for missing the appointment just to avoid Nathan.

“It’s all right, baby.”

“It isn’t. I came home to take care of you and I wasn’t there.”

“You had your reasons,” Diane said with an understanding expression on her face.

“It’s no excuse.”

“We’re not going to fuss about this.” Diane’s voice suddenly sounded stern. “What I want is for you girls to come here and listen to me.”

Elizabeth helped her mother from the wheelchair to the hospital bed.

“Yes, momma.” Kate sat down beside her.

“Sit,” the older woman ordered Elizabeth.

Elizabeth readily took her place beside her mother.

“I’m not afraid to die. I’ve lived a good life,” Diane began, much to her daughters’ horror. Neither could imagine a world without their mother in it.

“Don’t talk like that.” Kate gasped.

“I need to say this, and you girls need to listen,” Diane continued, looking even wearier.

“We’re listening,” Elizabeth whispered.

“What I’m afraid of is leaving you alone and unhappy.”

“We’re happy, mom.” Kate was eager for her mother to leave the morbid talk behind her.

“And we aren’t alone. We have each other.”

“I don’t want either of you to let the pain of the past steal the happiness of your future,” Diane pushed on, not yet satisfied that her daughters were truly understanding her meaning.

“Mom,” Kate uttered, but Diane hushed her.

“No, you’re both holding on to the wrong memories.”

“What do you mean?” Elizabeth asked.

“There was so much good before that pain.” Diane squeezed her hand tightly.

“Yes, there was.” Elizabeth knew that her mother was right. She had been trying to keep those memories at bay.

“But he ruined that. He stole those happy memories.” Kate’s tone was more hurt than angry. Although she didn’t mention Nathan’s name, it was clear who she was talking about.

“The only one who can ruin your memories is you, my angel.”

Kate lowered her eyes, disarmed by her mother’s peaceful smile. Now that Diane was sick, it was more important than ever to hold on to their happy family memories. “You’re right,” she whispered.

“Of course. I’m your mother,” Diane said with a wink.

“We love you so much.” Elizabeth was eager to wrap up the conversation so her mother could rest.

“I’m not done yet. I don’t care if you end up with Nathan or not…”

“Mom, you don’t need to be worrying about that. You need to focus on your health.”

“Listen to me. I don’t care if you end up with him. I just want you to be open to whatever the future holds, no matter what it might be. Live life with you heart open. That’s what I want for you both,” Diane told them, tears shimmering in her eyes. “Promise me that.”

“I promise.” Elizabeth realized for the first time just how closed off she had been for years, not just to Nathan but to everyone.

“Me too”, Kate said, letting her mother’s words sink in.

“That’s my good girls.” She took Elizabeth’s hand in hers and recited a verse from the Bible, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight.”

Elizabeth took a deep breath, absorbing the wisdom of the verse.

“I’m going to close my eyes and rest now.” Diane lay back on the bed.

“We’ll be right here when you wake up,” Elizabeth assured her.

“We love you,” Kate added.