Deprivation: Book One in The Deprivation Trilogy by LM Fox

Author:LM Fox [Fox, LM]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: LM Fox
Published: 2021-09-08T16:00:00+00:00

Over the next few weeks, Gran surprises us with her physical and mental fortitude. She decides after long talks with my granddad and my mother, she wishes to transfer to a skilled nursing facility for hospice care. She requires more assistance than my grandad can provide, and my mom is relieved she’ll receive pain medication to keep her comfortable.

“God, please take away her pain. And give me the strength to handle this.” I bow my head in the chapel. Exhaustion coupled with potential dehydration from all of the tears I’ve shed make each day more difficult than the one before. I slump into the hard, wooden pew and close my eyes, wishing this was all a bad dream.

Bzzz, bzzz. Bzzz, bzzz.

My eyes open, startled by the sound. Where am I? Realizing I’ve fallen asleep on a pew in the small chapel, I reach for my phone. I see Rachel’s number on the screen and think maybe she’s bringing some much-needed joy to the family with her baby’s early arrival. Wiping the sleep from my eyes and wondering what time it is, I answer with a scratchy voice. “Hey, Rach. You okay?”

“Kat, where are you?” I hear her hysterical crying.

“I’m in the chapel. I must’ve fallen asleep. What’s the matter?”

“She’s gone!” She sobs. “They thought you'd left and called Mom.”

“What?” I hang up the phone, grab my books, and run down the hallway to her room. As I reach the doorway, I stop, take in a deep breath, and walk slowly to her side. She lies there peacefully, eyes closed, hands clasped. The most perfect creature God has ever formed and I was the lucky one to bask in her love for all of these years. Dropping my belongings, I lie across her still body, holding her for what seems like hours. I need to commit everything to memory, knowing this is really goodbye. A short while later, the nurses return to escort me on my way, knowing I won’t be able to leave of my own accord.

I’m unsure how I’m going to get home. I can barely put one foot in front of the other. I’ve never felt so devastated in my life. Reaching into my pocket, I discover my keys are missing. They’re probably still on the pew in the chapel. Returning, I find them where I’d previously slept, instead of spending Gran’s last moments with her. I lean my head against the wood and wail.

Moments later, the sensation of a warm hand on my back momentarily halts my sobs. Rotating in my seat, I take in an attractive man with thick, dark brown hair and deep brown eyes staring quietly back at me with sympathy and concern. Having taken complete leave from my senses, I lean into the beautiful stranger and continue to weep.

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