Tangled

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162

162 Ava: Mom (II)

As we enter the hospital, the sterile scent of disinfectant and the hushed whispers of staff and visitors envelop us. Selene, ever attuned to my emotions, presses against my leg, offering her silent support. I reac

A few steps in, a security guard takes notice of Selene and frowns. "I'm sorry, but dogs aren't allowed inside the hospital premises."

Vanessa steps forward, her voice calm and authoritative. "This is a service dog. She's with us."

The guard glances at me, then at our bodyguards-

dressed in suits, with sunglasses, and essentially a walking cliche. His expression turns guarded and he waves us on. "Of course, my apologies. Please go ahead."

Relieved, I glance down at Selene, only to find her prancing alongside me, head high. Hey, you know service dogs aren't supposed to strut like show dogs, right?

She huffs, but stops her front-leg flicking prance.

Vanessa seems to know where to go as she navigates the maze of

corridors and several random sets of elevators.

With each step, the knot in my stomach tightens, anticipation and dread intertwined. Grateful for Vanessa's presence, I follow behind, digging my fingers into Selene's fur for comfort. Remember, she can't do anything to you, Selene whispers in my head.

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182 Ava Momin

The door to my mother's room is as mundane as any other. Brown. Silver handle. A note on the door asking to contact the nurse

before drawing labs.

Nothing that says a terrible person resides within and to beware of your heart.

My hand hovers over the handle as my heart beats loudly in my ears. Vanessa places a reassuring hand on my shoulder.

"Remember, Ava," she murmurs into my ear, "you are in control now. Your mother's power over you exists only in the past. You are stronger than you know."

Inod without glancing at her, closing my eyes and drawing in a deep, slow breath..

ache from the amount of oxygen I take in and I hold it for ten seconds before letting

I can do this.

and Vanessa,

the beeping of machines and

of her, so vulnerable and fragile, sends a pang of unexpected emotion

as warm as a summer lake or as frigid as a winter sky, watch me

she's

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The Mom

footsteps echoing in the stillness. Selene follows close behind, her presence a constant comfort. I reach out and take my mother's hand in mine,

lifeless it

I whisper, my voice cracking with

response, no flicker of recognition. I swallow hard, fighting back the tears that threaten

I hate her.

I hate this woman.

with the

her like this hurts, and I wonder if it would hurt this

that she was fighting for her life from the wolfsbane, was so

Ava. It's

against the linoleum floor, harsh in the stillness of the room. Settling into it, I clasp my hands tig Being here is like

to see how far her anger

intensity. Despite the dullness in her gaze, there's a flicker of something there-a

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of the fierce woman I

above a whisper. The question

long moment, my mother says nothing. She simply stares at me, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly,

my chest as her emaciated hand reaches out towards my

A

away from her touch, but another part-the part

Her fingers draw closer.

Is this the moment I've craved for

run rampant-hope, fear, longing, and a desperate, aching need for acceptance. For a single, shining moment, I allow myself to believe that this is

is left in the past, and in the future lies

my eyes fluttering closed. But

power of a healthy person, but the impact is no less devastating. My

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stinging more from the emotional blow