Chapter 6
"Mother, what are you saying?"
Beth turned to the nurse who answered with a knowing nod, "She's in the final throws of the cancer and it's just rambling."
Beth knew her mother was off somewhere in her memories and just sat, holding her the withered hand. For days now, it had been like that, just feverish bits and pieces but in the last few moments, her mother's voice had changed back to her beloved pre illness richness.
"Beth." Mother was still holding hands but the grip was now firm and the eyes were clear and lucid. "Beth, I need to tell you about ..."
Beth froze. She immediately knew of what mother was speaking but why now? Beth had almost forgotten about her kidnapping.
"Why, Mother? It's a long time ago. Don't fret yourself. Come lie back down." She could see this was taking an immense effort on her mother's part. "It's over."
"He found you and protected you but I was never to tell. But, Beth, you need to know!"
"Who, my imaginary guardian angel? Are you saying he really exists? That there really was a man who rescued me from the scary lady. I knew it! I vaguely remembered him taking me in his arms and carrying me to his car. He said I was safe now."
"Safe, yes, you were safe. But he stopped!" Mother was crying now. "When I went to find him at the agency years ago, he was gone. And I am afraid for you again."
"Oh, mother, I have a wonderful life. Josh is here and I'm about to start my professional career. Just think, I'm going to be an on-air journalist. My new boss, Maureen, has promised I can start doing hard-hitting news and maybe, crime investigation. But only if someone has their clothes off, of course. So, mother, I'll be fine."
"Always so brave and inquisitive. Mind you don't get into anything dangerous. You must promise to be careful."
"Always, mother." No use in saying that she kind of liked the danger or that it excited her blood whenever she was given an unusual news tip. No, she would let mother go in peace. The hand Beth was holding went limp and the breath left in a whoosh.
And Beth had the last tie to her past, to her childhood, to her family severed. Even if her angel was gone forever, he had given her the most precious gift of all: she and her mother had felt safe in a very unsafe world. And she would be grateful to her mysterious rescuer for the rest of her life.
She was alone in the world yet she was not afraid.
