“Hello Faith, I didn't know you were home. I thought you had to work.”
“Yes well I wanted to be with mom today so I came back home. Now that I'm home you can leave and I'll stay with her, no sense in you being here as well.” Walking away from him I can hear him grind his teeth. I guess he didn't like what I said.
“That’s okay I’ll just stick around, you never know if you'll need me.”
“Wonderful.'' is mumbled from my mouth. Why can't he just get the hint, he isn't wanted here right now or ever for that matter. Walking in mom's room I see that she's still asleep. I grab a chair and sit down beside her holding her hand listening to the sound of her heart monitor knowing that she's still here with me lulling me to sleep. I’m startled awake by raised voices coming from the front. I realize I've slept longer than I thought I would. It's now six o'clock. Not wanting the voices to wake mom up I give her a kiss on the forehead telling her I’ll be back and I head to the front of the house to see what's going on because I wasn’t expecting company. I can hear Henry’s raised voice and an equally pissed-off Mason telling him to let him pass and if he doesn't then he's going to regret his decision. Not wanting things to escalate further because I can see how red Mason is turning and how any moment now he's going to knock Henry out. Henry is trying to be intimidating with his arms folded but Mason has a good hundred pounds on him. I'm sure I even weigh more than Henry. “What's going on here, can you keep it down, moms sleeping right now. Mason, is something wrong? Why are you here?” That's when I notice he's carrying takeout bags with him and the smell of greasy diner food hits me which is when my stomach decides to make itself known. Looking up at Mason I can feel how red my face is going because by the look he's giving me he heard my stomach.
“Well it looks like I came just in time but this jackass won’t let me in, saying you didn't want any visitors to disturb you.”
Mason is staring down at Henry like he wants to squash him like a bug. I don't know what the hell Henry's problem is because I have never said that to him before and he has no right to insinuate otherwise. I think it's time I let him go, screw waiting for another nurse to come in. I'll just make the phone call in the morning informing them Henry’s services are no longer needed. I'll just stay home with mom if I have to from now on. Rhylie will understand, I can do most of the paperwork from my laptop anyway. I know she told me before to take as much time as I need off. I was already taught how to change out her bags for her IV.
“Thank you, Mason, that's thoughtful, please come in.” Giving Henry a smug look he brushes past him like he's not even there.
Turning towards Henry I tell him.
“You had no right to tell anyone that they are unwelcome in my home. I never once said or gave you authority as to who can come and can’t. I will be taking over my mom's care from here on out and your services are no longer needed. Thank you for what you've done but I'll be putting a call into the company you're with and telling them.” I watch the anger leach into Henry's eyes and his face goes red which scares me a little making me take a step back and run right into Mason who steps in front of me to shield me from Henry’s anger, taking a step towards him so he's face to face with him towering over him.
“You heard her, I think it's time for you to leave and don't bother coming back or you're going to have to deal with me and I don't think you want to take me on because I can guarantee you won’t like the consequences.”
Henry walks out and slams the door but not before giving me a look that doesn't sit well with me as if this isn't the last I’ve seen of him. Blowing out a breath I didn't know I was holding I look up coming face to face with Mason who has a soft smile on his face.
“Rhylie told you, didn't she?”
“She did but only because she's worried about you. Why didn't you say anything before, you knew we would have helped if you needed it? You didn't need to deal with him if you were ever uncomfortable.”
“ Don't you get it, Mason, it's not your problem to deal with, it's mine. I didn't want to be a burden on anyone, everyone has something going on with their lives.” My voice cracks and Mason wraps his arms around me in a tight hug and that breaks me. I let all the tears I've been holding onto all this time fall. He holds me tight as if he can hold me together whispering. “I’ve got you, Faith, let it out. I’m not not going anywhere.”
I cry for the injustice of it all because at any moment I’m going to lose mom and it's unfair I'm not ready. I need my best friend. I don't know what I'm going to do without her. It's always been just the two of us. I take a deep breath and then another. I pull myself out of Mason’s arms, wiping away my tears. I look up at him and he's got a soft look in his eyes. It's not pity but understanding because he knows what it's like to lose your parents.
“God I’m such a mess I'm sorry for breaking down on you. I’m sure you didn't come here for that. I’m just going to check on mom and see if she's awake yet make yourself at home and I'll be right back.” Rushing from the room before he can say anything, I just need a minute to myself. I can't believe I just broke down like that in front of him. I walk into mom's room and am surprised to see that she's awake. Walking to her bed I sit down and grab her hand “Hi mom, how are you feeling? Do you need anything?”
“I thought I heard you talking to someone who’s here?”
“Mason stopped by with food for me.”
“He’s such a sweet boy for doing that, see what I said before you should listen. I want you to listen to me now you're going to need him, you're going to need to lean on him for strength and it's okay to let him. Let him take care of you, baby girl. I know in time you'll be able to get past the pain and you'll have a beautiful life full of happiness and you will have it with Mason. Promise me baby you won’t hold back from what you want. Promise me.”
“I promise mom,” I whisper in a small voice, her words a plea I couldn't do anything but make that promise to her. She closes her eyes with a smile on her face.
“ I love you to the moon and back mom.”
“ I love you to the moon and back, baby girl.”
At that mom's heart monitor goes off and tears are streaming down my face because I know moms gone. I scream, causing Mason to run into the room.
“Mom no please don't take her, please. MOM.” I’m screaming not even fully aware of Mason grabbing me from behind and holding me rocking me back and forth on the floor while he makes a phone call. At that, I finally know what true heartbreak is and I don't know if I’ll ever be the same.
Faith
It’s been three days since mom died and today is her funeral. I'm standing in her room which has been emptied since the day she died. Every machine has been cleared out and it's like she was never here. I've come in here every day since expecting to still see her here. It's like I'm living through a fog. I'm aware, but I'm not. Mason hasn’t left my side since, he even took two weeks off to stay with me. I'm not sure how I feel about that but for now, I'll let it be. I'm not capable of thinking of anything else. Honestly, if it wasn't for Mason and Rhylie nothing would have gotten done. I still would be on the floor. Mason took the lead and called the funeral home and had everything set up before I even thought to do it. Before mom got too bad she had everything set up and organized so it wasn’t left to me to do, not that I’m much use right now. Everyone in town has stopped by and given their condolences and dropped off enough food to feed an army. I can't even count how many casseroles I have. Since not having much of an appetite Rhylie and Lucas took everything to the shelter. They could use the food more than me, not that I don't appreciate it, I just don't want to see all of it go to waste. The night mom died and every night since Mason held me all night while I cried myself to sleep not complaining once or letting me go. He just kept whispering he's here for me and he won't ever let go. The forever part is what scares me the most. He has a life of his own that he will have to get back to and once the two weeks are up I'll be by myself, then what do I do. I don't live in a big house since it was just mom and me but without her in it, I don't know if I can stay here. It just doesn't feel the same, it's hollow. A house doesn't make a home, it's the people in it and without mom, I just don't know anymore. I’m lost in thought. I don't hear anyone step into the room until strong arms hold me from behind and they bring me a measure of peace. For a moment Mason kisses the back of my head and turns me in his arms, grabbing my hands and bending till he's looking into my eyes.
“It's time to go Faith. Are you ready?”
“Ya, I’m ready. I just want to thank you Mason for being here with me and handling everything. I don't know what I'd do without you and Rhylie, but especially you. The fact that you haven't left my side these last few days means a lot to me.”
“You don't have to thank me. Faith there is nothing I wouldn't do for you. You have to know that by now whatever you need I'll stand beside you. I know it's not a good time to say this but you need to hear it. I love you and I always have so just know when you need to fall apart I’ll always be there to help you build back up. I’ll be your rock when you need it. I know it's a lot to take in and we have time to talk later, come on baby let's go.”
Not saying anything else, Mason grabs my hand and we walk out of the house in silence and towards his truck helping me in. I'm left to my thoughts going over everything he said to me. Mason holds my hand the whole way, holding tight as if he doesn't want to let me go. Maybe, just maybe I can keep the promise I made to mom. I just hope he doesn't take back what he said because I don't think I'd survive another blow. Once we got to the grave where mom will be buried I was brought back to the reality of why we were here today. Mason, my silent bodyguard, stood behind me the whole time people came in and gave their condolences, offering stories of mom and telling me how much she's going to be missed. Mom was loved by everyone, always willing to lend a hand when needed. Her loss is felt by everyone. I see Rhylie walk in next with Lucas and the rest of the guys and I couldn't hold my tears in even if I tried. She grabs me in a tight hug.
