Chapter Twenty-Seven
Mindy
Today is Mom's birthday.
I don’t want to think about the possibility that it could be her last. The thought alone hurts too much. Instead, I just focus on making this day special for her by bringing a smile to her face.
I walk confidently through the now-familiar halls of the hospital with a smile glued to my face, and a box of chocolate tucked under my arm. These bonbons used to be Mom’s favorite, back when you could still get them in the US. Now you can’t. But lucky for me, I found some in Moscow and I immediately got four of them. I can't wait to see my mom’s reaction when I surprise her with her favorite dessert.
As soon as I step into her room, I see my mother sitting up in bed, looking stronger and more alive than she has in weeks. The smile I had on my face grows even wider, mirroring the hope that's been growing inside me. Looks like the new treatment is working! For the first time in a while, I feel truly optimistic about the future. Maybe, just maybe, the universe is giving us another chance to make beautiful memories together in the years to come.
"Happy birthday, Mom!" I tell her, accompanied by a big smile and a hug. But as I take her in my arms, I notice a significant weight loss in her. My beautiful mother who always carried a few extra pounds is now skinny and frail. I can feel her shoulder bones protruding under her skin.
But she is still with us.
She's not giving up.
Neither of us are giving up.
We will overcome this illness, together.
"Oh, Mindy! Thank you, my dear," she says in excitement.
"It's your special day, Mom,” I say, passing her the box of chocolates. “Look what I got you!"
“Are you serious?” Mom gasps, and her face softens as she takes the box with a grateful smile. "Oh my gosh, Mindy! This was my favorite when you and Alexis were little! Where did you get these?" She pops one into her mouth and her eyelids close as she savors the explosion of flavors.
“I have my ways,” I wink, "And believe it or not, there’s more where that came from.”
“What? There’s more?” She looks at me in disbelief.
“That’s right!”
“You’re just trying to give me one more reason to stick around, huh?” She asks, giving me a mischievous grin.
“I sure am,” I say, returning her smile. “You’re not going anywhere, Mom. Not on my watch.”
She pops another bonbon into her mouth, and her eyelids flutter closed. “You’re spoiling me, Mindy.”
“Anything for my beautiful mother.” I wink, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead. “So, how are you feeling about the new treatment?" I ask as I settle down in the chair next to her bed.
"Not bad, honey. It’s not painful at all. And I feel stronger already," she responds, but there's still worry in her expression. "But the cost... my insurance only covers-"
I cut her off before she could finish. I know exactly what she wants to say. "Don't worry about that, Mom. It is taken care of. I promise. Your only focus should be on getting better."
Mom looks surprised. "But how? You already work so hard, Mindy."
“I got myself a little bonus,” I lie, leaning close to her and giving her another gentle kiss. I’m not proud of withholding the truth from my mom, but the last thing I want is for her to worry. "Please don't stress about it. I’ve got it under control."
"Under control, huh?" a voice interrupts from the doorway. I turn my head to see Alexis standing there with a smirk on her face. "Your gigs at New York High must be paying well."
Shit.
I shoot my sister a glare that could melt steel, but I hold my tongue. The last thing I want is to cause a scene, especially in front of our mother. “Oh, hey, sis. You could have knocked,” is all I say.
Alexis's smirk widens. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did singing to mafia guys turn you into an etiquette coach?"
Double shit.
How does she know?
I narrow my eyes at my sister, gritting my teeth. "This is not the time," I mouth, turning my head towards her, making sure Mom can’t see me.
But Alexis doesn’t get the memo. Or she simply doesn’t want to. Instead of playing along, a smug smile spreads across her face. "You’re wondering how I know about it, right?” She asks. “Let’s just say, I have my ways, sis. You'd be surprised what people will tell you for the right price."
"What's that even supposed to mean?" I demand, my patience wearing thin.
Alexis leans against the door frame, her voice dropping. "Working for StarDust always had its perks,” she says. She’s referring to the gossip magazine she works for. “Especially when it comes to digging up dirt on people. Even on my own sister."
I feel my blood run hot with anger. "You're spying on me?"
She shrugs, seemingly unbothered by my shock. "It's what I do for a living, remember? And honey, you've been giving me plenty of material lately."
"Alexis, sweetheart," Mom cuts in, her voice strained with concern. "What are you talking about?"
I jump in before Alexis can spew any more poison. "Nothing, Mom. Just Alexis running her mouth, as usual."
But Alexis isn't having it. She moves into the room and leans against the foot of Mom's bed, with a malicious glint in her eyes. "Oh, it's not nothing, Mom,” she says, imitating my voice. “Except that our dear Mindy here has been getting cozy with some seriously shady characters. How do you think your hospital bills are settled?"
I can’t believe that she’s doing this. What kind of heartless monster has my sister turned into? Suddenly, I feel like I want to jump up and slap some sense into her with the back of my hand.
Luckily a nurse enters the room, interrupting our heated exchange. "Excuse me, but I have to ask you to leave the room for a minute. Could you please wait outside while I administer the patient's medication?"
Alexis and I both nod. But as we make our way into the corridor, the tension between us is still palpable. As soon as we're out of earshot, I whirl around to face my sister.
"What the hell are you doing, Alexis? What makes you think you have the right to put Mom through this? How I got the money for her treatment is none of your goddamn business," I hiss, with fury in my voice. "But for your information, I had no other choice. I had to take the singing gig because I lost my job and I sure as hell can't expect any help from you!" My words come out in a nervous rush. I still can’t believe that she would come here on Mom’s birthday and cause such a scene.
My sister gives me a dismissive smirk, her eyes filled with malice. Her pupils are enlarged, indicating that she's under the influence of some substance - most likely the painkillers that have been slowly unraveling her life for years.
"Little Mindy, mommy's favorite girl," she says, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "You've always been the golden child, haven't you?"
“What the hell does that have to do with anything?” I shoot back, my hands curling into tight fists at my sides. "You have some nerve, showing up here and causing a scene. When was the last time you bothered to check on Mom? When was the last time you lifted a finger to help our family?" I can no longer control my frustration. "Even when you took my car the other day, you told me you’re coming to see Mom. But you never showed up and I don’t even want to know where you were. When did you become such an irresponsible, selfish bitch, Alexis?"
I know her response, even before she opens her mouth. "Since you caused the accident that killed Emily, Mindy." Yup. There it is again. The phrase I've heard countless times already. And she’s not done. "First of all, I only used your car for an hour and I parked it exactly where it was, so don't complain." She shrugs, her eyes cold and indifferent. "As for Mom, you and I both know that she’s going to die soon. Cancer is cancer, Mindy. No amount of money or special treatments are going to change that." She leans in closer. "And let's be real, sis. The sooner she kicks the bucket, the sooner we get our hands on her inheritance. I don't know about you, but I could use a little financial boost right about now."
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. I stare at Alexis in horror, unable to comprehend the words that come out of her mouth. Is this cold, calculating monster really my sister? The sweet, innocent girl I used to play with, the one who looked up to me with such love and admiration? I don’t even recognize the woman I’m looking at.
"I… I can't believe what's become of you, Alexis," I stutter, disgusted. "What happened to my sister? The Alexis who cared about something other than money and her next fix?"
Alexis laughs, a harsh, bitter sound that echoes off the hospital walls. "Oh, grow up, Mindy. That Alexis is long gone. You killed her, along with Emily in the accident you caused. This is all your goddamn fault!"
There we are again.
Back to square one.
She takes a step closer, her eyes glinting with a malicious sort of glee. "Get this, Mindy. This is the real world, and in the real world, you do what you have to do to survive. And if that means waiting for our dear mother to finally check out so I can get my hands on my rightful inheritance, so be it."
I feel like I'm going to be sick. I still can't believe what I'm hearing. This cruel, cynical, evil creature my sister has become is worse than anyone I ever encountered.
"You’re a monster,” I whisper, my voice trembling from the shock. “A heartless and selfish monster who has no right to be a part of our family."
"What family? The one you destroyed?"
I don't even bother responding. Even if I did, it wouldn’t change anything. It’s a circular conversation that does not lead anywhere.
Alexis just smirks, seemingly unaffected by anything I told her earlier. "Maybe I am a monster, Mindy. But at least I'm not a hypocrite like you. At least I'm honest about my actions instead of pretending to be a saint while selling myself to shady characters in NYC High." She leans in close, her breath hot and sour against my face. "Face it, Mindy. You're no better than me. You're just better at hiding it. We both know you sell your pussy to mobsters."
With that, she turns on her heel and stalks off down the corridor, leaving me alone with my thoughts and a sickening realization. A realization that maybe, just maybe... she's right.
Because as much as I want to believe that I'm doing all of this for the right reasons, that I'm just trying to take care of my family and keep my mother alive... I know there's a part of me that's drawn to the thrill of the forbidden. Especially if that forbidden is called Maron Korolev.
But right now, that doesn't matter.
I watch Alexis storm off, her venomous words still ringing in my ears. For many moments, I can't move. I can't even breathe. How is it that my sister always knows exactly what to say to make me feel even more guilty, to twist a knife in me where it hurts the most?
I lean against the wall, my heart pounding so hard I'm sure it’s audible from two rooms away. I know I can't go back to Mom like this. I can't let her see how shaken I am. So, I take some deep breaths in an attempt to calm myself down. I focus on the steady beep of the machines coming from the hospital rooms and the distant chatter of the nurses. Anything to ground me in the present moment.
After a few minutes, I feel a bit more composed. I straighten my shoulders, plaster a smile on my face, and make my way back to Mom's room.
"Did the nurse do her checks, Mom?" I ask, trying to keep my voice light and cheerful.
Mom nods, but I can see unease in her eyes. "Yes, sweetheart. But what was that with Alexis? Is everything alright between you two?"
I swallow hard, fighting back the tears that have been threatening to spill over ever since my sister arrived. "Nothing serious, Mom," I say, forcing a reassuring smile. "Just a little sibling battle. You know how it is."
"And where is she now?" Mom asks.
I clear my throat. "She… well, she had to leave. I'm sure she'll be back later."
The lie nearly hurts physically, but I can't bear to add to my mother’s stress right now. She has enough on her plate and the last thing she needs is to worry about our messed-up family dynamics.
I walk over to her and lean down, pressing a gentle kiss to her temple. "Get some rest, Mom. You'll need your strength for the next treatment. I'll check back tomorrow, okay?"
She nods, her eyelids already drooping with exhaustion. "Alright, sweetheart. Thank you for being here, for everything you do for me. I don't know what I'd do without you."
I have to blink back the tears that still sting my eyes. Just a few more minutes, and I can cry in the car. "I love you, Mom. More than anything in this world."
"I love you too, Mindy. Always and forever."
With one last squeeze of her hand, I turn, and make my way out of the room, my heart heavy with the weight of all the secrets and lies that are piling up around me. As I walk through the hospital corridor, I can't shake the feeling that things are starting to spiral out of control. My sister's drug addiction, my mother's illness, my own entanglement with Maron, and his possibly dangerous world... It's all too much, too fast.
And I don't know how much longer I can keep juggling all these balls before they come crashing down on me.