Shadows Of A Forgotten Spring

That same night, Emma sat with Jaden in Ethan's room. The only sound heard was that of the quiet hum of the monitors. Ethan lay unconscious, his small chest going up and down rhythmically. Emma carefully stroked his hand, her heart burdened by so much concern.

Hardly had she noticed that her phone vibrated until Jaden nudged her lightly.

She reached for it with a heavy sigh; knowing it would be one of her workers calling about some problem she really didn't have the energy to deal with at that moment. But then the caller ID caught her attention, and her breath hitched, her fingers beginning to shake. It was her mother.

She had warned her mother's nurse to keep any news of what happened lately away from her, knowing how fragile her health was. But clearly, it had failed. The late night call confirmed her fear.

Swallowing hard, she answered, "Mom," she said in a soft voice, her voice quivered as tears welled up in her eyes.

"I saw the news, Emma," her mother, Mrs. Walker said, a tone of worry in her voice. "Are you alright? What happened?

The sob that tore from Emma's throat couldn't be contained. "I'm so sorry, Mom. I'm really sorry." she sobbed. She wanted to tell her mother the truth about Ethan, about her problems, about everything but her mother's health just couldn't take such a blow.

"No, sweetheart, stop apologizing," Mrs. Walker said, her voice firm yet soft. "I'm coming over first thing in the morning."

"No!" Emma exclaimed immediately, in a panic tinged tone. "You can't travel, Mom, you know you can't."

"I can't just sit here knowing what you're going through." her mother said, breaking into sobs. "I need to be there for you."

"Mom, please don't you worry about me, it shall blow over soon, I

other end. After

fell on an unconscious Ethan. She wished she could say the truth. She wished.she could tell her mother that things weren't going so

slumped back into her chair as she hung up the phone. Silent tears streamed down her face as Jaden squeezed her shoulder in silent support. His comforting presence did little to stem the tide of loneliness and helpless despair that washed

^^^^^

still there and hadn't budged an inch from his position. Mommy, wake up," Emily said in a soft voice, holding a paper bag

her heart racing with a mix of fear and curiosity. She opened it, and her breath caught. Inside was her favorite meal. For one moment, her anger wavered. Alexander

of her life, away from her children, yet he had listened not, just as he hadn't listened

is he?" she asked tartly, her

ago, Mommy,"

breath to let

he'd be back soon."

on the same level as Emily, relaxing her facial expression. "Stay with your brother, sweetheart. Mommy will be right

Emma stormed out of the room with a stride that was determined and

daycare, there wasn't

wife and kids had left him years ago without a second thought. As Alexander read, anger began to rise in his mind. This was

you to dig deeper," he said, slamming