Chapter 18

Nurses were walking in to check on my mother. I had no idea what they were doing but I didn't care. All I wanted was for her to wake up.
My dad and Julian still weren't back so I decided to call them while the nurses were busy.
"Hey Jul, where are you guys?", I asked.
"We were hungry so we're grabbing some lunch and then headed your way", he answered.
"Okay, fine I'll meet you guys in a bit."
"Any news about mom?", he asked.
I turned around to look through the window where I saw the nurses filling in the chart at the end of her bed.
"No, the nurses are now leaving but she is not awake yet", I told him.
"Okay. Do you want us to bring you something?", he asked.
"No thanks. I'm not hungry."

I walked back to the room and took place at the chair again.
My eyes stared out of the window looking at the dark clouds. It was about to rain and the trees were about to lose their leaves as the wind was getting stronger.
A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts and I turned my head towards the door.
Max' head was peaking through the corner.
I got up and walked up to him, pushing him back to the hall.
"What are you doing here?", I whispered.
I closed the door to my mother's room and folded my arms.
"I'm here for you", he answered. "And I brought you the clothes you asked for." He held up a bag.
I took it from him and peeked inside it.
"Okay, thank you. You may go now", I said.
"Mira please, don't do this", he said.
"Do what exactly?", I played dumb.
"I know you are pissed about me seeing Claire", he said. He pulled me away from the door.
"Max, I don't have time for this. My mom is the only thing I'm concerned about right now", I calmly spoke.
"I understand. Please let me stay with you", he said.
"No Max. Besides, my father and brother can be here any minute and I don't want them seeing us like this. I'll call you later."
"If that is what you really want..."
I just kept staring at him, waiting for him to leave.
"Your keys are in there too", he said pointing at the bag.
"Okay thank you. Bye."
"Bye Mira", he said and quickly placed a kiss on my forehead.
I didn't even watch him walk away, I went straight to my mom.

A few seconds later my dad and Julian walked in.
"If you want you can grab some lunch now", my dad said.
"It's okay, I'm not hungry. I'm just gonna change my clothes", I said.
"We saw Mr. Woods leaving the hospital", Julian said.
Damn it! I was so hoping they wouldn't have seen him.
"Yeah so?"
"Nothing I just said I saw him, that's all." Julian threw his hands up in defense.
"Julian, leave your sister alone", my dad interfered.
"Thank you dad", I said eyeing my brother. "I'm going to change into something more comfortable", I said.
My eyes were bloodshot from crying. I looked tired and my hair was a mess.
I threw some water in my face as if that was going to help me look better.
Again I faced myself in the mirror. How could my life go from getting better to being at the point of breaking down again?
I heaved a big sigh and grabbed the bag Max gave me. I closed my eyes and saw his eyes locking mine again. Then I remembered!
My eyes shut wide open and my breathing got a little heavier. All because I saw the lipstick smear on his collar.
I didn't had that kind of lipstick, the only person it could have been from was Claire.
"Stupid!", cursed out loud. "How could you even forget you saw that", I said while looking at my own reflection.
As I changed my dress into my sweatpants I told myself that I would deal with Max later. First things first; and that was for my mom to wake up.

Many hours had passed before we finally got some good news.
My mom finally woke up, but she was still very weak. She was doing okay for now. The doctors told us that as soon as she was stable enough she would go to the psychiatric ward. This was standard procedure when they suspected suicide.
"I don't want to go. I want to stay here, with mom", I said.
"Mira, let us take you home. Mom needs to rest. You heard the doctors", Julian said trying to convince me.
My arms were crossed in front of me and I wasn't planning on leaving.
"Mira, sweetheart", my father started while putting his arm around me, "let's go. We can't do anything now. She is in good hands."
I heaved a big sigh and watched my mother. She looked so peacefully as she slept, but I knew that was just a lie. There was so much going on in her head that was far from peaceful.
Eventually my dad persuade me to come with them and I left my mom at the hospital.
"You know what dad, could you please drop me off at Bellewood Drive", I said breaking the silence.
My dad's eyes found mine through the driving mirror and he frowned his eyebrows.
"I'm going to a friend", I answered his questionable look.
"You don't need to tell me where you are going, Mira. You are a grown woman now", he said.
Silence filled the empty seat again and it stayed that way until they dropped me off.

"Mira?"
"Hi, can I come in?"
"Of course you can!"
"Jerry, it's Mira! Could you get some drinks?", Eddie yelled through the hall.
He shut the door and I walked over to their living room.
"Hi, Jerry."
"Hey sweetheart", he said.
"What are you doing here so late?", Eddie asked frowning his eyebrows.
"It's... it's my mom...", I said. I tried to swallow the tears but I didn't succeed.
They came down like the heavens opened up their gates and pouring down like it hadn't rained for six months.
He took me in his arms let me sob for as long as I needed.
"Can I get some tea?", I asked.
"Sure honey", Jerry said.
Eddie and I sat down and I started to tell him what happened.
"Do you know why she did it?", Jerry asked.
"No, I have no idea", I answered.
I blew off the steam from my tea and took a small sip.
"At least she woke up, so that's good right?", Eddie said.
I know he was trying to make me feel better, but his words didn't help.
"Does Max know what's going on?", Jerry asked me.
"Yes, yes he does. But I don't want him to be around right now", I said my words sounding harsh.
They both frowned their eyebrows at me.
"I thought things were going right between you guys? Did something happen at the party?", Eddie asked curious.
"Yes, a lot happened. Claire's parents got in this huge fight and we left before it totally escaladed", I answered.
"But what does that has to do with Max?", Jerry wondered.
"He was supposed to pick up some clothes for me as I didn't plan on staying over there. No, nothing happened", I said before they would jump into conclusions. "When I wanted to take a bath I got that phone call from my brother and left. He found me at the hospital and brought me my clothes", I continued my story.
"At first it didn't sink in, but later I remembered I saw lipstick smear on his collar..."
"...And it wasn't from you", Eddie filled in the rest.
"How do you know it wasn't from you?", Jerry asked.
"Because I don't own that color", I answered.
"Do you really think that Max... I can't believe he would be that kind of man", Eddie spoke.
"Well, apparently he is not the good guy you thought he was", I said.
"Oh honey", Jerry said tapping my leg. "You must feel aweful."
I felt tears welling up in my eyes again and soon they slid down my cheeks.
"That bastard!", Jerry called out.
Eddie signed him with his hands to calm it down a bit.
"What? Nobody treats Mira this way!", he said indignant.
"We're not helping her to get mad right now", Eddie said to him.
"You're right. I'm just mad at him."
"Mira? Do you want to stay here tonight?", Eddie asked me.
"No, I think I should be heading home. It's been a long day and I'm getting tired.
"Would you want me to drive you home?", Eddie asked.
I nodded my head yes and got up. I hugged Jerry and thanked him for showing me that he cared.
"Let me know if I can do anything for you, okay? And keep me updated about your mom", he said pinching my arms.
"Sure, I will", I said with a small smile.

As soon as I got home I crawled into my bed. I didn't even bother to change into my PJ's. All I wanted was to close my eyes and wake up to find out that this was just a bad dream.

My head was feeling like someone had slammed a troll hamer on to it all night.
And so did I look. Man, I looked terrible.
Normally I wouldn't wear a lot of make up but this time I used a little more than usual just to cover those black circles under my eyes.
As I arrived at my work I quickly called my dad to ask if there was any news.
He told me they would leave in a few and that he would keep me updated if there were any changes.
I went to Mr. Hensley's office to bring him is morning paper and coffee.
"Thank you Mira", he said.
"Sir, before I leave, I have a question", I said.
"What is it?"
"I wanted to leave early today sir."
"And why is that? You know we're very busy."
"My mother is in the hospital", I said.
"I'm sorry to hear that. You can leave early", he said.
"Thank you sir", I said and closed the door to his office.
I started answering tons of emails.
In a way I was glad work was so busy. I could use the distraction.
If I would have stayed at home, I would have gone nuts.
Around lunchtime my father called me.
"How is mom?", I immediately asked.
"She is doing fine. She drank something and we talked a little bit", he said.
"Good. Can you tell her I will visit her this afternoon", I said.
"Of course sweetheart, I will."
"Okay thank you dad, bye."
After I hung up I faced Max. I rolled my eyes. Great, just what I needed.
"What do you want? I'm busy", I said facing my computer again.
"I just want to talk. Let me buy you lunch", he said leaning on my desk.
"I don't have time for lunch", I said not looking away from my computer.
"Mira, please. Let me explain", he begged.
I stopped typing and crossed my arms.
"Listen, I'm at my work, I have tons of things to take care of and I need to visit my mother at the hospital. I don't have time for your slick talk", I said to him.
"Now, if you please would be so kind to leave before I call security."
He stood up straight and walked away from my desk.
Before he stepped into the elevator he took a glance at me one more time. I ignored him and quickly faced my computer screen.

While I left the office I called Jerry to update him on the situation with Max and told him he went to see me here.
"You did right honey, just let him sweat a little", he said.
His words made me smile. He was always a little more passionate than Eddie. He was more realistic and thought everything through before speaking. Jerry would always speak his mind, which at times he did regret.
That's why they were so perfect for each other, the filled each others flaws perfectly. Their relationship always has been something I looked up too.
They had been gone through some though times because their relationship wasn't accepted by a lot of their friends and family.

It never bothered me, I never looked at them as a homosexual couple. I only saw how much they cared for each other and how happy there were. I had never seen them get into a fight. Of course they would have their differences, but a real fight; never.
To over come bullying and being abandoned by most of your own family must be hard and I admire them for not giving up on their love for each other.
It was something I longed for to have too.

I finally arrived at the hospital and through the window I saw my mother was sitting up. I smiled and rushed into her room.
"Hi mom!", I said.
"Mira, honey", she said with a weak smile.
I kissed the top of her head and sat down. She searched for my hand and I grabbed hers. She pinched me a bit and smiled.
"I'm glad you are here", she said.
"I'm glad you are still here", I said to her.
"Your dad and Julian are coming a little later", she said avoiding my words.
I took it as she didn't want to talk about it.
"That's okay. Do you want something to drink?", I asked her.
"Yes some water."
I got up and got her a glass of water and a straw.

"Here, let me help you", I said and held the glass for her.
"Thank you dear", she said and I put the glass down.
"Are the nurses nice to you?", I asked.
"They are all sweethearts."
"That's good."
"Mira", she started. "Can you make sure they won't send me to that psychiatric ward? I don't want to go there. There's no need for all of that", she whispered.
I looked at her as she looked at me, desperately waiting for me to answer.
"Mom I.."
"Please, do it for me Mira", she begged. "You know I can't take that again."
I closed my eyes and heaved a small sigh. I knew what she was referring too. I didn't wanted to be remined to it again. She knew this is my weakness.
Now I'm grown and I have to be strong. She is a grown woman, she can't lean on me again. I can't let her.
Her eyes were still searching for mine, waiting for the right answer.
"Mom I'm sorry but I can't. It's standard procedure and maybe it's good for you", I softy spoke.
She let go of my hand and turned her head away from me.
"Then I have no business talking to you anymore", her voice sounded mad.
"Mom, stop it. You know this is not fair and you know I can't do what you are asking me."
She wouldn't answer me and kept staring the other way.
"I know it won't be easy and I know it's not a great place to be. But if you do what they say you'll be home in no time", I carefully spoke.
She clicked her tongue and slowly turned her face towards me.
"Easy for you to say, you don't know what it's like."
I heaved a sigh; "No, I don't know that. But it's for your own good mom."
She snorted sarcastically, rolling her eyes saying; "What do you know about that."
"Please, mom let's not argue. I didn't come here to upset you."
"Then why are you doing so?", she sneered.
"I'm not, please don't be mad", I said.
At that moment my dad and Julian came walking in.
"So, are we interrupting some mother daughter time?", my dad asked with a smile.
"No, Mira was just leaving", my mom said.
"Mom, please", I begged.
"What's going on?", Julian asked as he walked up to us. He said down at the other side of the bed.
"Have you upset mom again?", he asked giving me a look.
"No."
"Kids, let's not fight here. I'm sure Mira didn't mean any harm", my dad spoke.
"I want her gone", my mom said. "So can you leave already?"
"What? But.. but.. mom?", I hesitantly said getting up.
"Leave already!"
I grabbed my jacket from the chair and ran through the door. I kept running until I was outside of the hospital. Tears wetting my face which soon mixed with the pouring rain when I was outside.

A/N: Thank you all again for reading. I'm happy that I updated a lot quicker this time! I hope my next update will be soon too. But please do know that I can be very, very slow with updates so I hope you guys won't be too upset with that. Make sure you don't forget to comment and vote. How do you all think Mira is reacting to Max? Do you think she is being fair? And what about her mom?