Dying Love
Yes people another oneshot! Please review this it's a bit different from my usual so please review!
Disclaimer
How many more times must I
say I own nothing?
Thank you to DarkoBender for being my amazing Beta reader!
My mother and I had lived in England for many years. It was just the two of us, my father was a merchant sailor, a good respectable man who obeyed the law. He had little to no contact with us, he spent long periods of time away from home.
For years I held false hope that he would return home for my next birthday or Christmas. However, overtime I realised that he wasn't going to show.
We never spoke of my father, my mother used the same line whenever I mentioned him or asked when he may return, "Your father is working hard to allow us to live the best life we can, he will come home as soon as he can."
I didn't doubt that my father loved us, but I wished he could understand that it was his love that we needed, not his money.
Overtime the money from my father stopped coming and so he faded from our minds as far as I was concerned my family consisted of me and my mother. My mother and I were happy together we formed a strong and happy relationship, we proved we were able to lives our lives without my father.
However I still wished maybe one day he would return.
Things changed dramatically when my mother developed a nasty cough that she couldn't shake off. She claimed it was nothing serious and that I shouldn't worry.
I did worry. The cough left her breathless she had a deep rasp that accompanied her every breath. She was thin and frail looking.
I tried to keep telling myself she would be okay. I told myself she was just tired and needed to get more sleep. Deep down I knew this wasn't true my mother spent most of the day sleeping.
I refused to admit that my mother was clearly ill and in need of medical attention.
My mother's condition continued to deteriorate so much so that my mum's sister had to move in to look after us.
The doctor looked grave, "How is she?" my aunt asked. I could feel the warm tears prickling at my eyes as I listened from behind the door. Please let her be okay, I don't know what I'd do if…
"I'm sorry, your sister is a very sick woman. She has contracted a severe form of influenza, there's nothing we can do." The doctor said sadly.
It couldn't be! My mother was strong, she had put up with so much! This shouldn't be happening! If only my father had been here he could have helped her! If he'd sent us more money maybe we could have gotten her help sooner.
"How long does she have?" my aunt whispered her voice catching at the back of her throat. I could feel more tears forming in my eyes threatening to fall as we both awaited the answer.
"I would suggest you prepare yourself to say goodbye." The doctor responded gravely.
She nodded, thanked the doctor and showed him to the door. She gave him his fee but he placed his hand on hers and said "No you keep it, give your sister the goodbye she deserves."
My aunt stood in the hallway and sobbed, I stood at the doorway looking at her I didn't know what to say or do. "Oh William." She whispered pulling me in for a hug which I gratefully returned. "You go in and see your mother." She whispered gently.
I nervously walked into the bedroom and sat gingerly on the end of the bed. This isn't right no one should be scared of their own mother.
"William?" she whispered hoarsely
"Yes mother" I whispered taking hold of my mother's hand. It was then that my fear vanished I wanted to make my remaining time with my mother count. I wanted her to die happy.
"You must promise me something, William." My mother whispered.
"Anything." I whispered fighting back yet more hot tears.
"Promise me you will be happy and that you wont feel guilty. That, William, is all I ask." She whispered softly. Her breathing was becoming more laboured I knew it was almost time.
"I love you mother." I said softly kissing her gently on the cheek.
My mother was too weak to respond but a felt a slight squeeze to my left hand that told me she loved me too. I felt her life slip through my fingers.
My aunt stood silently watching us from the door with silent tears streaming down her face.
My aunt did as the doctor told her and used his fee to give my mother the goodbye she deserved. My mother had been popular where we stayed, all the residents of our village came to the small service we held for her.
We all cried tears of love and loss for my mother.
"I'll give you a moment to say goodbye to your mother, William." My aunt said sadly, gently squeezing my shoulder before leaving me alone.
I knelt down and kissed the headstone and whispered, "Goodbye mother." The headstone was a wash of my salty tears.
"You ready?" My aunt asked returning a few minutes later. I nodded not trusting my voice. Without a word my aunt gently guided me from my mother's graveside.
"You shall stay with me, William." My aunt said as we approached her home.
That night when I lay in bed I pulled out the gold medallion, the last thing my father sent me.
I knew what I had to do.
I was going to find my father.
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