The SUV edged into the driveway of the summer cabin. Bright blue skies faded into dusk and the small home was dark and vacant. Strategically nestled in a thick layer of trees the cabin felt remote enough for seclusion but for most of the inhabitants during the summer months it was a security knowing that the other cabins were just hidden from view. The day had been beautiful, however, Cindy didn't really notice. She felt awful as she eased the SUV into park.
Her red rimmed eyes were heavy, tired, and full of tears. She looked over to the passenger seat to see her son sleeping. He looked as innocent as when he was a young child; before his recent graduation and before assuming the responsibilities as the man of the house when his father left the family two years ago. She was proud of him, his successful grades in high school and his ability to mature into a man without his father, but she also saw the inexperience in his face, still learning, still tackling life's complexities.
"Jay, we're here honey," Cindy said to him while lightly shaking his leg.
Jay's eyes eased open from the pain medication. It had been an eventful day for him. He had been excited to take his mother sailing on the lake as he learned to sail a month prior. It was his morning to show her a good time and demonstrate his ability to take charge and to reassure himself that he was ready to take on the world. Jay's head lifted and he looked down at his bandaged hands. It wasn't a bad dream, he thought as he fumbled out of the SUV with his swollen hands tightly wrapped.
Earlier that day, Jay had rented a small sail boat and was unloading it from the trailer when his mother accidentally released the harness causing the boat to freely roll from the trailer. Jay was behind the boat and instinctively tried to hold onto the bottom as it pushed him backwards on the boat ramp. He stumbled but held tightly onto the small lip of the sailing craft when the weight of the boat was fully into his arms. His muscles strained but it was futile. Within an instant the boat plummeted to the concrete boat ramp crushing his hands and fingers under the vessel. Jay didn't remember much of what went on afterwards. He heard his mother crying and yelling. He remembered several people lifting the boat off his fingers and riding in an ambulance. And he vaguely recalled the doctor saying he wouldn't have use of his hands for a couple of months.
Cindy grabbed some items from the SUV and led her son to the front door. "I'm so sorry honey. I feel so terrible, this is all my fault. I don't know what to say. We can leave in the morning and head back home," she said.
"No way Mom, we planned this trip for months. It was an accident. Let's make the most of it," he said. Sure he was upset but what could he do, besides he was exhausted and just wanted to go to bed. Already in sweatpants and a t-shirt he said goodnight and headed for bed.
Cindy couldn't believe what had happened that morning and through the day. It was all a bad nightmare, one she couldn't shake. How could she hurt her only son like that. The stupid crank, the line thing, or whatever it was, she thought, I can't believe I almost killed my son. Now he's going to spend his last summer before he goes off to college with casts over his hands. She burst into tears once more and headed to her bedroom to cry herself to sleep.
But the next morning Cindy awoke with a new, positive outlook on the situation. They had rented the cabin for the week and she was going to make the most of it. It was a planned vacation to celebrate his graduation and she was going to help him celebrate the best she could. She was going to help her son enjoy the rest of the vacation before they went home. She quickly dressed and walked past her son's room.
"Are you up?" she said.
"Yes, Mom I am," Jay responded.
"Go take a shower and I'll call you for breakfast," Cindy said excitedly, trying to keep upbeat with her tone. She headed straight for the kitchen and prepared a full breakfast for her son. She prepared all his favorites down to whipped cream on his pancakes. She wanted to get a good meal in him and maybe take a pleasant walk around the lake to help lift his spirits.
"Come on down, hon," she yelled.
Jay walked down stairs still in his clothes from last night, his hair mangled to one side. He looked like he had been beaten up. Cindy frowned.
"Breakfast smelled great from upstairs, Mom. Thanks a bunch," he chuckled as he noticed the whip cream on his pancakes, "You didn't have to do all this." A large smile arched around his face at the meal before him.
Cindy's eyes lit back up when she noticed her son's attitude. Maybe this will work she thought. "Why are you still in your clothes? I thought you were going to take a shower," she asked.
"I can't," he replied as he held up his hands. "I can't even move my fingers. This sucks." But he smiled at her reassuring her it was ok.
The feeling of guilt flooded over her and she now noticed that he couldn't even eat on his own. She scooted her chair next to his and carefully spoon fed him. In between bites she was able to stuff herself as well. The atmosphere was jovial and both were making the best of the situation. Cindy almost felt like she was flirting with her son when she started teasing him with the food on the end of the fork. She'd get close to his mouth and when he'd open it, she'd quickly pull it away and he would lunge for it. She'd sometimes gobble the bite herself giggling and he'd respond with a laugh. They played and ate most of the morning and Cindy felt she had her little Jay back.
