We had dropped the letter into a mailbox outside of Grant Town. It was another cosy moment and the streets were pretty empty except for some occasional cars. Spring flowers were blooming on the avenue trees and it felt so surreal walking with her hand in hand as the light sun touched down on us.

My phone buzzed in my pocket.
I whipped it out and glanced at the screen.
‘MOM’ it said in big, bold letters which were almost ominous.

“Yes,” I asked slowly.

“Where are you?” her voice was trembling.

“I’m out with a friend. Why? What happened, Mom?” I was concerned.

“Come home as fast as you can. I don’t want to hear any excuses.”

“But I can’t. Her mom is out for the day and I need to take care of her. Please tell me if there is an emergency.”

“Who exactly are you with?” her voice changed tone.

“Phoebe, a friend from college.”

“What is she to you?”

I looked at Phoebe who was wearing a confused expression.

“That doesn’t matter. I can’t leave her,” I shouted.

Phoebe grabbed my hands.
“Do as she says,” she mouthed.

“Is she your girlfriend?” her voice was ice, “Seeing that you care more for her than your mother or yourself.”

“Mom, I’m dropping off Phoebe to her house and coming straight home. I don’t need to give you any explanations,” my voice rose again.

A few passersby cast weird looks at us.
“Drive straight to Cleveland clinic and please hurry,” her voice broke as she quickly disconnected the call.

“What happened?” Phoebe threw me a look of concern.

“Nothing urgent,” I managed a small smile. “Mom’s calling. I’ll drop you at your house. Promise me you’ll stay safe.”

“Take me with you. Maybe I could help.”

“No,” I said firmly, “you’ve been through a lot, already. Take rest and plan a date for your surgery and everything. The sooner, the better.”

“Are you sure, you’d be okay?” she asked, getting into the car.

“Yeah, I guess. I wonder why she called me at Cleveland clinic and she seemed shaky. I hope someone from the family isn’t seriously ill. Or maybe an accident…”

“Who’s being the pessimist now?” she chided, “Don’t bring negative thoughts. Everything will be all right.”

“Hope so,” I mumbled, unsure of my own words. My mother was a strong lady. She had been through a lot. Nothing could make her panicked unless it is a really serious matter.

Neither of us talked as I drove her to her house.

She kissed me goodbye, lingering on my cheeks for a moment longer than she usually did.

“Promise me,” I smiled.

“Sure,” she squeezed my arm and climbed out of the car. I watched her wave from the threshold of her house.

I fired the ignition once she was safely inside.
With Phoebe gone, my anxiety got the better of me. Not knowing what had scared my mother was scary. What was it that had caused her to call me?

With a prayer on my lips, I brought the car to a halt outside the small but decent clinic and rushed in through the glass doors.

But before I could search for my mom or go to the front desk, my mom rushed at me and wrapped me up in a hug. I hugged her back, not knowing what to do.

“What happened? Is anything the matter with dad, or Uncle Patrick? Is anyone sick? Is anyone injured?”

She only sobbed in response and I could feel her breathing heavily as she struggled to get in terms with whatever the bad news was. I had a sinking feeling in my stomach. Something was just not right.

“Mom,” I dragged her back from the embrace, holding her shoulders. She looked at me, her face flushed from crying. Her eyes were red.

“I love you,” she began crying again, trying to go for a hug.

“I love you too,” I restrained her with all my strength, “but why won’t you tell me what’s wrong?”

“I’m going to tell you what’s wrong,” a male voice rang out.

I looked up to see a man in a white apron. He came and shook my hand, “Doctor Stanton, the chief of the Department of Neurology.”

“Doctor, what happened?”
He simply held up an MRI report in his hand.

I snatched it from him, looking at the name.
“It’s yours,” he confirmed.

A/N What do you think will happen now?