My flight arrived on time, and I rushed from the plane to the luggage carousel to claim my baggage, of course, it took forever! I called the house several times, but no one answered. Dan's words ringing in my head, 'If she isn't better by the morning, I'm taking her to the hospital.' "Which hospital damn it!" I said aloud, people looking at me strangely.
I grabbed my luggage and headed towards the door, my stress level so high, I couldn't even think about calling Dan's cell or checking my messages. As the sliding doors opened, Arron came rushing to my side, "BO! Oh BO!" He was in tears.
I dropped my bags and held him next to me, he hugged me tightly, "Mom, mom's so sick, I just, we had to take her, I'm scared BO!" he was crying so hard, it made me start to cry.
"How did you get here?" I finally managed, trying to fight the tears.
"Dan, he's driving around again so we didn't have to park, he said he'd meet us here!"
"Ok, calm down. I'm home; everything is going to be all right." He looked at me, trying to smile. Dan's car rolled up in front of us and he got out, helping put the luggage in the trunk. I stood there staring at him, wondering about his relationship with my mother. He looked at me, his expression saying more than his words, but still speechless.
"Where is she?"
"Mercy General."
I wanted to punch him in the face and thank him all in the same notion. "Take me to see her." The ride was quiet. I saw a relief in Arron's face when I looked back at him. I consoled myself by thumbing my PDA, and seeing that I had several messages. I brought them up and listened, most of them from Otto and my dad, and then the one from mom. I drew a deep breath as I put the phone to my ear.
"Hello baby," her voice was so weak, "I wanted to let you know I was in the hospital, it was my choice that Dan took me. I'm very scared. I haven't felt this way in eleven years." she choked on her tears, making me do the same, "Please come straight to the hospital, Dan and Arron will be picking you up. I know you're tired and worried, but baby, I need you here with me. I love you so much," she was crying so hard. I knew she was going to make herself sick again, "Bowen, baby, we need to talk when you get home. It's very important. I love you."
I ended the call and put the phone on my knee, staring off into the distance. "What room is mom in?" it had been the first words I had said to him since I got in the car.
"What?" Dan looked over at me.
"What room is she in?"
"2407." he looked at me, "She won't tell me what's wrong, and neither will the doctors because I'm not family." he looked back at the road again, "But I don't understand why she won't tell me."
"Maybe it's something personal that she doesn't feel the need to tell you." I snapped, meaning, and not meaning, to.
"Well, if you find out, I would appreciate it if you let me know." he said gruffly.
Dan brought the car to a halt in front of the hospital doors and I jumped out, followed by Arron. We hurried to the elevator and to the second floor, finding our way down the halls to mom's room.
Arron led the way since he had already been there. We tried not to run over any of the nurses or the patients out in the hall, but my heart was desperate to see Angel for numerous reasons.
Arron suddenly stopped, straightening his shirt and taking off his ball cap. I looked at the room number on the closed door, and steadied myself. We eased open the door and crept inside.
She had a private room, which made me feel better about the situation as I looked around. We closed the door and quietly approached her bed. She was sleeping; I. V. hung over her, tube in her arm. My heart fell instantly when I saw her, my mind flashing back to the days when she was in the hospital last. I was thanking God that she wasn't beat up this time.
I heard Arron's voice, bringing me from my thoughts, "Mom, momma, Bowen's home, Momma." She stirred from her sleep as Arron repeated himself. She reached up to his face, caressing his cheek and smiled.
"You brought Bo with you? I didn't think he was due home until tomorrow."
Arron looked up at me, shrugging his shoulders; "Mom, it is tomorrow." he spoke to her ever so softly.
I approached the bed and reached for her hand, she turned to look at me, her lovely brown eyes so worn. All of my memories haunted me, "Hi mom, how are you feeling?" I knelt down, kissing her cheek.
"Oh Bowen, you're home. Oh baby." a tear rolled down her cheek.
"Yes Angel, I'm here."
She squeezed my hand, making my heart jolt, "Help me sit up a bit will you?" I slipped my hand behind her and helped her up while Arron eased the bed forward. She smiled thanking both of us.
"How are you doing mom?" Arron asked her, hoping she was better.
"I'm fine honey; just have a little stomach flu that may be with me a little while." She pushed his hair from his eyes, and pulled him over to hug him, "Can you give your brother and me a few minutes, I need to talk to him alone."
"It's ok mom, you can tell him, I won't tell Mr. Dan."
