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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/1955802-Watching-Over-You
by Pepper
Rated: E · Fiction · Drama · #1955802
As a mother lies dying, she has to find a way to comfort her young daughter.
The smell of death permeated the room.  Heather drew in a shaky breath, edging closer to the bed.  Her mother lay still, eyes closed.  Thin, dark hair contrasted against the stark, white pillow.  Only the ragged rise and fall of the chest and the beeping machines gave evidence that Brenda still clung to life.

“Momma?”  The eyelids flickered and fading, brown eyes turned to drink in Heather’s face.  A bony hand reached out and caught the lone tear as it trailed down her cheek.   

“U-uve you…” As Brenda struggled to lift her head, Heather reached to press a button, raising the bed to a sitting position.  Brenda smiled.

“Prom…” Brenda paused and issued a guttural sound, trying to clear the ever-constant phlegm.  “Promise me…. you have …. have a happy… birthday.”

“Momma, don’t worry about my birthday.”  Heather grabbed Brenda’s icy hand and held it to her cheek.  “The only thing I want is for you to beat this.” 

Brenda shook her head, closing her eyes as she wheezed.  After regaining her breath, she rasped, “Only thirteen once… Promise you… be… happy.”

“Then you have to be here.” Heather’s voice caught and tears began falling in earnest. “I need you. Who’ll take me shopping? See me graduate? Be there when I get married?  Have babies?”  Heather sobbed and buried her head in her mother’s lap.  Brenda reached up and began stroking Heather’s hair.   

“Sor…ry,  but… God’s calling me.  Do you remem…ber that song…. You know….. Holes in… in…”

“Holes in the Floor of Heaven?” Heather lifted her head and gazed into eyes that mirrored her own. 

“Yes… I’ll be watching you through... through those holes.”  Brenda’s eyes dimmed before drifting closed. And as Brenda expelled her last breath, rain began playing a soft melody on the window pane. 







Word Count = 300           

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Printed from https://www.writing.com/main/view_item/item_id/1955802-Watching-Over-You