FORTY-FOUR
I’ve been sitting at Mama’s bedside for over an hour, waiting for her to wake up. It isn’t the first time I’ve raced to the hospital to see her wounded from an attack in the streets. But it hurts all the same.
“Hey, bro,” Cairo says quietly, entering the room in his blue scrubs. “I had to handle schedules. So I couldn’t come down sooner. What did the nurse say?”
I drag my palm over my face and slump back in the chair. “Aside from her swollen jaw and eye, the x-ray showed she has a fractured rib and bruised abdomen as if someone punched her there repeatedly.”
“Damn,” he exhales and squeezes my shoulder.
“Shanae says they’ll see how clear she is once she wakes up. They gave her the IV for dehydration.”
“Shanae’s a good nurse. Nosy, though.”
I snort. “She was grinning when I mentioned we’re friends. She feeling you?”
“Mmhm. Anyway, how you doing, man?”
I sigh. “At a loss. I’ve tried so hard over the years.”
He gives me a sympathetic look. “I’m sorry, man.”
“Mmm…” Mama moans in pain, her eyes fluttering until she opens them and looks at me. The swollen left eye is barely a squint. “Son…”
I touch her hand. “I’m here, Mama. How do you feel?”
“I’m fine,” she rasps.
“Let me get Shanae,” Cairo offers, leaving us alone.
Mama takes a deep and painful breath. “It’s good to see you, son. I’ve missed you.”
“Who beat you up?” I ask seriously. “Give me the name and description.”
She turns her head on the pillow. “Don’t fuss about it. I don’t want you going to jail. Ohh…” She touches her bruised jaw. “Some fucker robbed my stash. It’s stupid.”
I click my tongue, push from the chair, and walk to the window. “Mama, can’t you turn your life around now? I’ve been begging you for years. Can you please do it now? Between the drugs and crooks, you’re going to end up killed.”
“You know it’s hard.” She sniffles. “I’m a lost cause, son. You should give up on me.”
I peel around and look at her hard. “I probably should. Yet here I am, still hoping like an idiot.”
She ducks her eyes in shame. “I need to get out of here. I don’t have money to pay hospital bills.”
“Don’t worry about it. I got it.”
She frowns. “Kross…”
“Hi, Ms. Krueger,” Shanae politely greets as she enters with Cairo behind her. “Glad to see you’re awake. How are you feeling?”
“I’ve been through worse,” Mama grates. “When can I leave?”
“Well, the doctor will check on you shortly. If everything’s fine, we’ll provide medication for the pain as well as rehab resources—”
“I don’t need that,” Mama shuts her down harshly. “Just give me some pills so I can be on my way.”
“Geez, Mama.”
Shanae scoffs. “It isn’t my fault you got…” She stops herself when I snap my head to her. “Ahem. I’ll find the doctor and an icepack for the swelling.” She peels off.
Cairo gives me an apologetic look. “I’ll talk to her about that.”
When he leaves, I refocus on the woman who birthed me and has brought me so much pain. “You love me, Mama?”
Her eyes wilt. “Of course, son. You’re the only good thing to happen to me.”
“Then please make the decision today. Rehab, or lose me forever.”
She swallows profoundly and releases a shaky breath. “I’ll go back to rehab. I’ll try again.”
“This time, stay with it.”
“I will. Promise.” She sighs. “I know my promises don’t mean shit. But this time, I’m keeping my word.”
I give her hand a loving squeeze. “Thank you.”