Young Writers Society

Ok, I was typing this late at night, so it might have some typos. Sorry in advance! Please critique!

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“Mom?” I peeked through the door.

“Hi honey,” my mom said weakly from her bed.

I quietly slid into the room and closed the door behind me. I looked around in the familiar room. A beeping monitor was next to mom, counting each beat her heart makes. An IV was attached to her arm, the clear liquid hanging from a bag. All around the medical equipment were flowers, cards, and balloons. Right next to mom’s bed was the sculpture that I had made in art this past year. It was a heart in the middle of a tree.

“Come pull up a chair Maggie. Why don’t you get a cookie too? I think Mrs. Bergeron left some earlier,” mom said, trying to prop herself up on her bed.

“Mom, just lay there. You don’t have to get up,” I assured her. I looked around for the cookies, but there were none there. Dad must have gotten them earlier. I grabbed a chair and put it next to her bed.

“You enjoying the summer?” she asked me, smiling a bit. Her brown hair or what was left of it, was pulled back. Her brown eyes still shone, despite everything she had been through.

“It’s good. Amy has been over some,” I replied to her.

“So you and Amy are okay now? Still friends?” Mom looked at me questionably.

“Yes ma’am” I told her.

“What’s dad up to right now?” she asked, taking my hand into hers. Her hand seemed so small and frail, and it felt like I could easily break it in two.

“He’s at work, busy typing stuff into computers probably,” I told Mom, laughing a little. She laughed along with me.

“Does he have a sermon for Sunday yet?” Mom asked.

“Yes ma’am. He’s preaching about when Jesus was at the wedding where he turned water into wine. His point is that Jesus, the son of God was at a party and was drinking and partying,” I replied, recalling to when I edited yesterday morning.

“That’s great,” mom rolled her eyes. “Just give us Tennesseans another reasons to party and get drunk.” I laughed, and mom laughed with me until she started coughing really bad.

“Mom!” I said, standing up.

“No, I’m ok Maggie,” she whispered, then coughed again. “I’m okay, really.”

I tentatively sat down. “You sure mom?” I asked.

“Yes, of course I’m sure,” she said, her voice stronger now.

The door opened and a nurse peeked in. “Is everything okay?” she asked, her red lips tightened into a forced smile.

“Yes. Everything is fine,” Mom called out to her. The nurse nodded and closed the door.

“So, you excited about this next school year?” she asked me.

“I guess,” I replied. I wasn’t actually that enthused about being a sophomore.

“You guess?” Mom said, faking shock. “Come, on! You get to see all your friends, learn cool stuff, and get cute boyfriends.”

I rolled my eyes, “Mom,”

“I still can’t believe you don’t have a boyfriend right now,” she said, smiling. “You are kind, smart, and beautiful!”

I snorted. Sure, a lot of people have said I am pretty. My blonde hair was long and wavy and my eyes were as blue as the sky. I was slender and tan from being outside all the time. The only make-up I wore was eyeliner and mascara and even some days I don’t wear it.

“Speaking of boys, how is that dashing friend of yours,” Mom said, somewhat changing the subject.

I smiled happily, “Rick is fine Mom. We were going to the park later, but it’s raining.”

Mom smiled dreamily. “Yes, that Rick is a keeper. Leah and Tim did a good job raising that boy.” She closed her eyes.

“You’re surrounded by a bunch of fine men Maggie,” Mom squeezed my hand faintly.

“Mom?” I said

“Keep the ones you love close Maggie. Always remember that,” she said, whispering now.

“Mom?”

“Life is a gift. Full of wonderful things. Like your father,” I could barely hear her now. Her breathing became shallower as she spoke.

“Mom?” I said, squeezing her hand again.

“Life is great. Don’t forget that. I love you Maggie. I love you and your father,” she said.

“Mom? Mom?” I said again and again. I sat there numbly as the heart monitor kept on going slower. “Mom?”

“I love you,” she said faintly, and took her final breath. The heart monitor behind her fell silent.

“Mom? Oh no, mom no!” I said, tears rolling off my face. “Mom, no!”

Her doctor, Larson Greys walked into the room. I looked up to him tear-stricken as I still clutched Mom’s hand. He quickly walked over to me.

“Maggie?” he said softly, putting a hand on my shoulder.

I shrugged it off and stood up. The tears flowed thicker and faster down my face. I ran out of the room and down the hospital hallways. I hurried down the steps and outside into the pouring rain.

Hospital workers and patients all stared at me as I ran past them, but I didn’t care. All I could think of was Mom back up on her bed, dead.

I hopped onto my bike and peddled down the road as fast as I could towards my house. I splashed into puddles that soaked me, but I didn’t care.

I finally arrived at home after the 15 mile ride. There on my covered porch, was Rick with his entire 5’10” frame and still growing. His brown hair was slightly damp and his hazel eyes were looking at a newspaper.

He looked up when I slid to a stop in the driveway. I dropped my bike and ran to the front porch.

Rick stood up as I neared him. “Maggie?” he asked as I climbed up the front steps. I said nothing as I collapsed into his arms, sobbing my heart out like a four year old.

“Ssh, Maggie. It’s okay,” he said soothingly, wrapping his arms around me. “What is it?”

“It’s mom,” I managed to sob out.

“What happened?” he asked, “Did she get worse?” I shook my head.

“What happened?” he asked again, still holding me close.

“Mom’s dead!” I said, and buried my head into his shirt. His shirt quickly became wet thanks to my soaking clothes.

His eyes immediately started to tear up and he held me closer. “Oh Maggie. It’s okay girl. It’s okay Maggie,” he repeated.