sits an older model truck with the hood popped up and a newer Ford Escape.
My nerves are all over the place as I ring the doorbell.
After a few moments of waiting, the door swings open to a young, blonde girl dressed in scrubs.
“Can I help you?” she questions as her eyes scan my body.
“I uhh, I’m looking for—”
“Who is it, Kandice?” a voice from inside calls out.
The young girl, Kandice, turns to the side and acknowledges the person inside before turning back to face me and telling me to hold on as she shuts the door in my face.
I hear muffled voices among other sounds before the door reopens to Jo’s mom standing there. Her smile is instant the moment she realizes I’m the unknown person.
“J.C.!” She already sounds winded as she calls out my name and holds her arms open for a hug.
“Hey, Mrs. Fuentes. How’ve you been, causing any trouble lately?”
I wrap my arms around her as we both laugh. I’ve met Jo’s mom a couple times previously during her visits to Norfolk and we instantly started joking with each other.
We walk into the house with her leaning most of her weight against me. Again, I don’t know how severe her diagnosis is, but it seems she’s smiling through the pain.
Like mother, like daughter.
Getting her settled into a recliner in the living room, I take a seat on the worn leather couch just as the young nurse comes back in.
“How’re you feeling Ms. Patricia?”
She takes a deep breath before answering.
“You know, I’m okay, but I could use some tea and a pain pill while I catch up with J.C. please.”
She nods her head and walks back out just as quickly as she came in.
We sit chatting for about thirty minutes, with minimum interruptions from the young nurse named Kandice before the front door flies open.
“Mom?” a familiar voice calls out.
“In here, Joey,” Patricia quietly responds. Her eyes shine with mischief as she watches; waiting for the moment Jo walks in and sees me sitting here.
In the brief time we had alone, I told her that Jo had no idea I was here, amongst other things.
I feel the exact moment my stomach drops to my feet; it’s the instant Jo, the girl I’ve dreamed about over the past six months, comes into view.
“What? What are you doing here?”
Now’s the perfect opportunity to confess. Tell her I’m sorry for the way I acted. Apologize for not getting in touch with her sooner. And beg for forgiveness and a second chance. But I’m stunned to silence by simply being in her presence once again.
Jo
As soon as Mom’s hospice nurse arrived at the house today, I left to run a few errands around town. Nothing that was really a big deal or couldn’t wait, so part of me really didn’t want to leave my mom’s side, but she insisted that I get out of the house for a bit.
I’m going to be here with my mom until my leave times comes to an end. I turned in my emergency leave paperwork yesterday morning and requested two weeks’ time off for now. My Chief told me if I need more time than that, he’ll handle it. The time is passing by quicker than I expected.
Although, being here now, Mom doesn’t act like someone in need of Hospice. Yes, she’s slower getting around and tires out very quickly, but nothing is standing out to me that shows she’s dying.
Dying.
My mom is dying.
I feel as though I just wrapped my mind around this two year battle she’s been fighting; finally acknowledging that she is struggling through this vicious disease. And now I have to convince myself that it’s no longer a battle; the fight is coming to a close, and unfortunately, Mom isn’t going to be victorious like we’d all anticipated.
Being here the last few days, seeing her in that hospital, has finally forced my brain to accept that this is the God-awful fate my mom will have to deal with.
When I left the house this morning, mom appeared to be having a good day. I know all of this is just an illusion; Mom’s good days are
My nerves are all over the place as I ring the doorbell.
After a few moments of waiting, the door swings open to a young, blonde girl dressed in scrubs.
“Can I help you?” she questions as her eyes scan my body.
“I uhh, I’m looking for—”
“Who is it, Kandice?” a voice from inside calls out.
The young girl, Kandice, turns to the side and acknowledges the person inside before turning back to face me and telling me to hold on as she shuts the door in my face.
I hear muffled voices among other sounds before the door reopens to Jo’s mom standing there. Her smile is instant the moment she realizes I’m the unknown person.
“J.C.!” She already sounds winded as she calls out my name and holds her arms open for a hug.
“Hey, Mrs. Fuentes. How’ve you been, causing any trouble lately?”
I wrap my arms around her as we both laugh. I’ve met Jo’s mom a couple times previously during her visits to Norfolk and we instantly started joking with each other.
We walk into the house with her leaning most of her weight against me. Again, I don’t know how severe her diagnosis is, but it seems she’s smiling through the pain.
Like mother, like daughter.
Getting her settled into a recliner in the living room, I take a seat on the worn leather couch just as the young nurse comes back in.
“How’re you feeling Ms. Patricia?”
She takes a deep breath before answering.
“You know, I’m okay, but I could use some tea and a pain pill while I catch up with J.C. please.”
She nods her head and walks back out just as quickly as she came in.
We sit chatting for about thirty minutes, with minimum interruptions from the young nurse named Kandice before the front door flies open.
“Mom?” a familiar voice calls out.
“In here, Joey,” Patricia quietly responds. Her eyes shine with mischief as she watches; waiting for the moment Jo walks in and sees me sitting here.
In the brief time we had alone, I told her that Jo had no idea I was here, amongst other things.
I feel the exact moment my stomach drops to my feet; it’s the instant Jo, the girl I’ve dreamed about over the past six months, comes into view.
“What? What are you doing here?”
Now’s the perfect opportunity to confess. Tell her I’m sorry for the way I acted. Apologize for not getting in touch with her sooner. And beg for forgiveness and a second chance. But I’m stunned to silence by simply being in her presence once again.
Jo
As soon as Mom’s hospice nurse arrived at the house today, I left to run a few errands around town. Nothing that was really a big deal or couldn’t wait, so part of me really didn’t want to leave my mom’s side, but she insisted that I get out of the house for a bit.
I’m going to be here with my mom until my leave times comes to an end. I turned in my emergency leave paperwork yesterday morning and requested two weeks’ time off for now. My Chief told me if I need more time than that, he’ll handle it. The time is passing by quicker than I expected.
Although, being here now, Mom doesn’t act like someone in need of Hospice. Yes, she’s slower getting around and tires out very quickly, but nothing is standing out to me that shows she’s dying.
Dying.
My mom is dying.
I feel as though I just wrapped my mind around this two year battle she’s been fighting; finally acknowledging that she is struggling through this vicious disease. And now I have to convince myself that it’s no longer a battle; the fight is coming to a close, and unfortunately, Mom isn’t going to be victorious like we’d all anticipated.
Being here the last few days, seeing her in that hospital, has finally forced my brain to accept that this is the God-awful fate my mom will have to deal with.
When I left the house this morning, mom appeared to be having a good day. I know all of this is just an illusion; Mom’s good days are
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