Helen’s POV:
While my mother was taking a nap, I sat on the desk next to the bed and turned on my laptop to
process some work documents.
After having a power nap, she woke up.I told her to sleep some more, but she just waved her hand in
dismissal and said that she didn’t feel sleepy anymore.Thus, I conceded and took her to a nearby
supermarket to shop.
The supermarket was quite close to my apartment.
My mother and I used to come here to shop whenever we needed something.
Unfortunately, she fell ill later on and had been confined in the hospital.
Since I was too busy to go shopping, I came here less and less as time passed by.
Along the way, I held my mother’s hand.
It felt so damn good to have her by my side again! It felt like I was filled with so much strength all over
again.
We finished shopping quickly and went home.
As soon as we got home, my mother prepared dinner.I knew nothing about cooking, so I couldn’t do
anything to help her.I just stood at the kitchen door, watching her get busy.
"Helen, you need to eat less junk food and take out food from now on.They’re not as healthy and
sanitary as home cooked meals,"
Mom mumbled while she was handling ingredients.
"I’ll cook weekday meals for you every weekend from now on.You can heat them up after work.I’ll come
here again next weekend to cook more delicious food for you, okay?"
This scene felt so familiar to me.It felt like I suddenly heard George’s deep, gentle voice ringing in my
ears.
Just like my mom, he used to cook for me all the time.
Even when he was tired after a long day at work, he’d still cook for me.
Every time he went out of town, he’d prepare dinner for me in advance and all I needed to do was to
heat the food in my fridge.
Suddenly, it felt like a void opened up in my heart.It felt like I had lost something very important that I
could never get back anymore.
As a matter of fact, most of the time that I thought of George, I was quite rational.
I’d always tell myself that we were over and that there was no future in store for us.
But sometimes, his image would flash through my mind, making me feel empty inside… Hiding my
sadness, I walked over to my mother with a smile on my face and hugged her from behind.
"Thank you, Mom.It’s so good to have you around."
"Let go off me, dear! I can’t cook properly like this." Mom broke into laughter.
"Fine.I can wait." I pouted.
Reluctantly, I let go of her.
However, I didn’t want to leave the kitchen.
As I watched my mother busy herself with cooking, tears welled up in my eyes and rolled down my
cheeks.She looked much more haggard than before.
Despite the fact that she was the same age as Libby, her back was hunched already.She looked so thin
from the back that it looked like a gust of wind could blow her away.
Quietly, I wiped my tears away, determined to work harder and make more money to give her all the
best things in life.
During the evening, my mother slept in the guest bedroom.
Once I was done with work, I slipped into her bed and laid beside her.
"Is it okay if I sleep next to you tonight, Mom?"
My mother readily agreed.She scooched over and made some room for me to make sure that I’d be
sleep comfortably.
"Helen, I’ll try my hardest to get well, so that I can be with you as soon as possible," she said abruptly.
"I believe you can do it, Mom.Nothing can bring you down! Surely, you’ll get better soon," I said,
attempting to comfort her.
I leaned closer to her arms as affectionately as I did when I was little. My mother had been confined in
the hospital for many years, and she usually smelled like medicine and sometimes bleach, but
strangely enough, I still smelled her unique scent.
It smelled so good and reassuring.
"Honey, you’ve been working for years on end.I think it’s time you think about settling down," said my
mother.
Her eyes were clearer than ever.The first person who came into my mind was George, and it made my
heart skip a beat.
Soon, I overcame the feeling of being flustered and nodded in response.
"Okay, Mom."
"Is there anyone special?"
My mother was trying to get more information out of me.I immediately shook my head.
All I wanted to do right now was to make more money to cure my mother’s illness and take good care
of her health.I didn’t have time for a relationship.
"When I took you away from Philly and came to New York, I simply hoped that you’d let go of the past
and begin a new life.If and when you fall in love with someone, don’t tell him the truth about our family,
especially my illness.In New York, no one will ever know about your past.If it’s necessary, I’ll just stay in
the hospital for the rest of my life and leave you alone," said Mom.
"What are you talking about, Mom? If he despises you and our family, I will not marry him!" I said firmly.
"I want to live with you for the rest of my life, Mom. Why would I leave you behind for a man?" I said,
holding her hand to comfort her.
"My dear, you’re too young to understand how cruel and relentless life could be.I’m the one holding you
back.The only way you could live a better life is without me.I’m serious! As long as you can be happy, I
don’t mind being out of your life," she countered.
"Mom, I’m exhausted.We should go to sleep."
There was no point in arguing about this with her.
At any given moment, I would prioritize my mother above all else.
Perhaps due to her reassuring scent, I fell asleep quickly and didn’t wake up until the break of dawn.I
hadn’t slept this well since George moved out.I usually tossed and turned the whole night, and had
nightmares even when I managed to fall asleep.
Sadly, the good times were fleeting.It was soon Sunday night, so I had to take Mom back to the
hospital.
As I held her hand, reluctant to let her go, I said, "I’ll pick you up next Saturday morning,
Mom.Remember to cooperate with the doctor’s treatment, okay?"
"Okay, darling.I’ll wait for you," my mother replied.
Before leaving, she gently brushed my hair as her eyes were filled with love and tenderness.
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