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13
On My Own
7
“I remember when I was little and Dad would have to travel a lot
for work. You’d make sure he called everyday to talk to me. I always
loved to help you cook dinner. I remember my first day of school.
All the other kids were crying and clutching to their parents but I
gave you a hug and happily skipped into the classroom.”
A small chuckle slipped from my lips.
“You called me, two days before the crash, saying you were coming
to visit me. I was going to surprise you and give you the news that
I’d graduated from uni but I guess that didn’t work out.”
I wiped more tears away from my cheeks. My head tilted up as
the machine by her bed began to beep louder and faster. I was ready
to call for a Doctor when the beeping slowed again.
“I remember.”
Her voice was hoarse and barely audible. I gasped and jumped
up from my seat.
“Mum?”
“I remember the crash,” she spoke again, her voice cracking.
A lump formed in my throat. “What do you remember?”
“It was a grey, rainy day. I was with your father. A car swerved
suddenly, losing control. The last thing I remember…“
“She’s awake! Doctor Johnson!” A nurse called, cutting her off.
Doctor Johnson hurried inside, followed hastily by two more
nurses.
“Serena. Nice to see you’re finally up,” Doctor Johnson stated
with a warm smile.
She didn’t respond. She didn’t even move.
“Mum?”
Silence.
“Mum?” I repeated, my voice breaking, the lump in my throat
growing.
Her eyes flickered and her fingers twitched. She motioned for
me to step closer. I leaned my head next to hers and she smiled, a
weak and small smile.
“I love you Skylar. Don’t ever forget that. You’re going to do great
things, I know it. Make your father and I proud. We’ll be watching
you,” she whispered into my ear. My own tears fell onto her cheeks.
“I love you Mum.”
Our eyes met for a moment of silence. All the memories we
shared were replayed in our minds.