Mom blinks, fighting the pull to rest. “Promise me you’ll bring Matthew again. I miss seeing my babies.”
“I will. Now rest.”
Mom nods, giving in. “I love you.”
Chase squeezes her hand reassuringly. “I love you too.”
It doesn’t take long before she’s out, her chest rising and falling slowly. Kyle signs something to Chase, to which he replies in sign language as well before standing.
I move closer, eyeing the bowl on the tray. “At least you got her to eat something,” I murmur softly before pulling the covers higher over her.
“Not nearly enough,” Chase mutters.
“It’ssomething.More than I did.”
“That’s not on you, and you know it,” Becky insists. There are tears in her eyes, but she quickly blinks them away. “She thinks he’s Dad, and she’d do anything for him. I saw the main nurse when we got here, and she told me she’s been refusing to eat for days now.”
“Can’t they do anything about it? Give her something?”
I glance between my siblings, who exchange a serious look.
“They think…” Becky starts, but I shake my head. “Our time is running out. Her time…”
“No.”
“Matthew—” Chase tries again, but I stop him.
“Not yet. It’s too soon. She can still get better.”
“She’s not getting any better,” he says gently.
“She would if we helped her! We can’t just give up on her.”
“We’re not giving up on her, but her body…” Becky places her hand on mine. “After talking with the doctors, we agreed to increase her nursing level of care so she’s more comfortable before…”
She lets the words hang in the air as she shakes her head.
She’s not giving up.
Her body is.
Increase her care.
More comfortable…
I run my hand over my face, the vise grip around my throat growing stronger.
“Fuck.”
My fingers sink into my hair, and I tug at the strands, embracing the dull throb of pain.
Out.
I need to get the hell out of here.
Spinning on my heel, I go for the door.
I can hear my siblings calling after me, but I don’t slow down.
