Tangled

162

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..

in and I hold it for ten seconds before letting

I can do this.

a final glance at Selene and Vanessa,

of machines and a

features pale and drawn. The sight of her, so vulnerable and

as a summer lake or as frigid as

she's

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The Mom

the stillness. Selene follows close behind, her presence

lifeless

whisper, my voice cracking with emotion.

flicker of recognition. I swallow hard,

I hate her.

I hate this woman.

I love her with the fierceness of a

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

for her life from the wolfsbane, was

Ava. It's okay

chair up to the side of my mother's hospital bed. Plastic scrapes against the linoleum floor, harsh in the stillness of the room. Settling into it, I clasp my hands tig Being here is like

how far

movements with an unsettling intensity. Despite the dullness

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316

fierce woman I

above a whisper. The question hangs

me, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, she

out towards my face. It's a surreal

A

touch, but another

Her fingers draw closer.

Is this the moment

fear, longing, and a desperate, aching need for acceptance. For a single, shining moment, I allow myself to believe that this is it. That my mother

is left in the past, and in the

my eyes fluttering closed. But

and power of a healthy person, but the impact is

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my check stinging more from the