Chapter 27
Amelia
Three days later, I sit by Mom’s hospital bed, reading a fashion magazine I found in the patient lounge with the steady beep of the monitors filling the room.
Mom looks better today. Her color is returning to her cheeks, and when she squeezes my hand, her fingers are warmer than they’ve been.
I’ve been staying all day, only leaving when the visiting hours end.
Adrian texts me every morning and night, checking in on both of us, but I haven’t had the energy to do more than send brief updates.
I miss talking to him properly. At first, I think I can manage everything with the help of my sisters, Hazel and Aurora.
Aurora drove down as soon as I call her.
Offers pour in from neighbors, from the people around town, from well-meaning friends, but I can’t bring myself to accept them.
I need to handle this myself. I need to know that I can handle everything without falling apart.
If I can’t manage this crisis, how can I prove I’m ready for bigger responsibilities?
How can I show that I’m leadership material when I’m barely keeping my head above water?
But eventually, reality hits: I can’t take care of the house and my siblings from here. And as difficult as it is at first, allowing more people in when I know this is my responsibility, I let them help.
Mom’s getting stronger, though. Every day, she looks more like the woman I remember. I hold on to hope that when she finally walks through the front door, she’ll be her old self again—healthy, happy, and whole.
A knock sounds, and a nurse walks in holding a care package. I close the magazine and rise to take it from her. As I bring it to Mom, she smiles.
“Luna said she was having something delivered,” I say, looking over the items in the box, including chocolate, slippers, lip balm, hand cream, eye masks, a crossword book, gift cards, and herbal tea.
“It’s not from Luna.”
My eyebrows pinch together. “It’s not?” I look up, meeting Mom’s gaze.
“It’s from Adrian and Keith the nurse said.”
A fluttery sensation sweeps through my stomach, and I will my mouth to expel words, but I can’t seem to form them. My mouth just opens and closes repeatedly. Mom doesn’t seem to notice; she’s too busy trying to open it, but she doesn’t have the strength, so I help her.
She goes straight for the large-print crossword. I give her a pen and then sit back down, grabbing my phone from my pocket.
Me: Thanks for Mom’s care package. She’s already working on the crossword. ??
Adrian: I’m glad she likes it. How are you?
I swear, every time he asks how I am, a weightless feeling washes through me. I don’t need to hesitate; the honesty just rolls out of me.
Me: I’m better today, feeling less stressed. Seeing Mom able to sit up independently today was a huge relief.
Adrian: I’m glad she’s getting better. I don’t like seeing you sad and stressed out.
I don’t get a moment to reply before another message comes through.
Adrian: If you ever need someone to talk to, you know I’m always here for you.
Later that week, I’m back at work while Aurora sits with Mom in the hospital, when Luna calls me into her office. I’ve been nervous for this moment. The promotion announcement was supposed to happen last week, but Mom’s stroke pushed everything else out of my mind.
“Amelia, please sit.” She glances down briefly, her tone and body language already tell me everything I need to know.
My heart splinters as she continues. “I know this has been an incredibly difficult time for you with your mother’s health scare.
I was just at the hospital yesterday. She looks so much better. ”
“Yeah, she’s getting stronger,” I manage, touched that Luna has been visiting regularly, even though I haven’t seen her there. I’m caring for the kids between visits to keep home as normal as possible.
Luna nods, her expression pained. “I’m so relieved. You know how much I love her.” She takes a deep breath. “Amelia, this is one of the hardest conversations I’ve ever had to have. But feelings aside, I’ve decided to give the promotion to the other applicant.”
The words disintegrate any part of my heart that’s left. She’s not from town, and doesn’t have a family crisis taking her attention.
“I want you to know this wasn’t about your mother’s situation,” Luna says quickly as if reading my mind. “The other applicant has more experience. I’m sorry, I really am.”
“I understand,” I whisper, nodding.
“Take the rest of the day if you need it,” she offers.
I shake my head. “No, I’m fine. Thank you for letting me know.”
I text Adrian the news as I walk out of her office feeling hollow, like everything I’ve worked for just crumbled in my hands. The worst part is knowing she probably made the right call, even if it breaks my heart.
Later that day, I go straight to Mom, like I always do.
“How was work?” she asks. A simple question. But a big one.
I glance away, staring at the bland hospital walls. Do I tell her the truth? That today wasn’t great? That today was the day my hopes finally collapsed?
I shift in the stiff plastic chair, my back aching from sitting in it for hours every day. Mom’s in a shared room, but her only roommate is a woman curled up under her blankets, asleep. At least I don’t have to worry about her overhearing.
“I didn’t get the promotion.” The words taste bitter. I force myself to look at Mom, to hold her gaze as I say it. “Luna gave it to someone else.”
Her expression softens as she grips my hand. “Oh, darling. I’m so sorry.”
I shrug, pretending it doesn’t hurt as much as it does. “It’s not your fault. Luna had to do what was right for her business.”
Mom studies me carefully, the way only a mother can. “I know it’s hard. But you wouldn’t have wanted the job just because you’ve known Luna forever, right? If she thought someone else was the right fit, you have to trust that decision.”
I swallow the lump in my throat. “Yeah. I know. It just… sucks. And now, with more medical bills coming, I really needed that salary increase.”
Mom squeezes my hand. “Sweetheart, you’re not happy there.”
The truth of it hits me harder than I expect. She’s right. I’m not happy. The promotion was just a reason to stay, an excuse to keep pushing forward in a place that no longer fits me. Maybe this whole thing—the rejection—was just the final straw.
A nurse steps in, interrupting us. “I need to give her some medication before physical therapy.”
I stand. “I’ll step out for a bit. Be back soon, Mom.”
Outside in the corridor, I lean against the wall, my heart pounding as I pull out my phone and scroll to Violet’s name. My thumb hovers over the call button.
I hit dial.
Violet picks up after the first ring. “Hey, you. What’s up?”
“I think I’m going to quit,” I blurt.
A pause. “What? Why? I know people are talking, and I can see how uncomfortable it’s getting for you. But quitting right now? Are you sure about this? Do you have something else lined up?”
“No, but I can’t keep pretending everything’s fine when it’s not. I’ll figure something out.”
“What about the medical bills? You said money is tight. Look, I know it’s awkward here right now, and I hate seeing you go through this.
But don’t let them push you out. Why don’t you start looking for a new job, but stick it out while getting your paycheck?
I can keep an ear out for opportunities, and we can grab lunch away from the office when you need to vent. ”
Her words sit like a rock in my stomach.
She’s right. She sees what I’m dealing with every day, which makes her advice comforting and frustrating.
I just need to stick it out while looking for something new.
But as I hang up and walk back toward Mom’s room, I can’t shake the feeling that I’m about to make a decision that’ll change everything. Whether I’m ready or not.