Twenty Seven
Ash
As the morning sun streamed through the enormous picture window of the suite, I momentarily forgot where I was.
Chicago.
Rolling out of bed, I walked into the sitting room where I expected that room service would be waiting. Instead, I found Amber with her arms wrapped tightly around her knees rocking back and forth in the sitting room.
“Amber! What happened?”
Not caring that I was only wearing a pair of tight black boxer briefs, I sat down beside her. Her face was streaked with muddy black streams of mascara.
I wrapped my arms around her.
“What’s wrong, Amber?”
She seemed almost catatonic just staring down unblinking. “I went to see my father.”
“Oh God, Amber, I guess it didn’t go well?”
She shook her head biting her lip. “My daddy…he didn’t betray me. It was…” She began to sob.
“Shhhh, it’s okay now.” I held her close to me.
“Mark, my brother!” She cried.
I knew that she’d been estranged from her family, but never knew exactly why. Over the course of the next few hours, she reiterated the entire horrible event.
“My God, Amber, I’m so sorry. And I brought you here.” I stood up pacing.
She brushed her hair off of her face. Her hands shook as she sipped the tea I’d brought her. “It’s okay, Ash. I did find out my daddy never betrayed me. And that was worth it. My brother…he’s sick.”
“Yes, he is. I’d go over there and beat him to a pulp if I thought it would help. But I know it won’t. You never have to see him again. Amber, this happened so many years ago. It’s the same thing with my mother. Whatever happened was years ago. Time to forget.”
She nodded her head holding the tea cup in her hand. “I know, Ash. But I can’t forgive him. Not now.”
“Amber, I’m going to have Rachel come and draw you a bath. You need to spend the day relaxing. I’m going to head over to the hospital and see if there’s any change. If not, we can head home later.”
“Rachel?”
“Whitmore’s personal assistant. Since he has an office here, I asked him to send his PA over. She’s a sweet older woman. Will you be okay until I return? Please promise you won’t leave the hotel.”
She swallowed hard nodding. “I won’t, Ash. I’m sorry to tell you all the traumatic things that happened to me. I feel so ashamed.” Her face flushed red as she looked down. I’d never seen her looking so broken.
“Amber, it’s okay. I’ve had my share of terrible times too. You have nothing to be ashamed of. You’re a beautiful, smart, with a loving heart.” I kissed her hand.
She smiled at me some of the light coming back into her eyes. “You be careful too with your mother. Don’t let her upset you.”
Nodding, I went into the bedroom to quickly dress.
Rachel had arrived just before I left so I felt I was leaving Amber in good hands.
Arriving at the hospital, I found there had been no change in my mother’s condition. She remained in a coma. As I stood there looking down at her, I sensed she’d never regain consciousness. I wasn’t going to be given the gift of closure in this case.
Sadly, I knelt to press my lips to her forehead. I brushed the hair back from her face.
“Goodbye, Mom,” I whispered as I closed the door to her room.
I knew I would never be coming back.