Mechanics of the Heart by Agnes H. Hagadus

Author:Agnes H. Hagadus [Hagadus, Agnes H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-10-10T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

This was not like sitting with Harry. That had been surreal, but in a good way. Louise sat in the lone recliner in the living room, while Rocho practically had Sylvia wrapped around her. Though they both needed to eat and clean up, neither wanted to leave the woman alone.

“You’ve come a long way.” Rocho didn’t really want to talk to the woman who had given up her right at being called momma nearly fifteen years ago.

“Your father and I divorced about four years ago.” Louise spoke without emotion. “He didn’t like how I had allowed my looks to go downhill. He said it was because I’d go to all sorts of rallies for anti-…”

“Let me guess?” Rocho felt her ire growing. “You marched in every anti LGBT parade. You supported every LGBT discrimination law that came along. You went from door to door to gain signatures for…”

A gentle squeeze of her leg informed Rocho she had made her point. She sighed heavily. Once again, her protective streak had reared. And the claws had come dangerously close to gouging her mother’s eyes.

“All true.” Louise wasn’t ashamed of her past. In fact, sitting with her daughter and watching the snuggling of two perverts was nauseating. “I came for one reason and one reason only.”

Louise rose from her chair. She handed Rocho a pristine appearing manila envelope. “What your father doesn’t know is that it wasn’t the marching or protesting that did this to me.”

It took a moment for the older woman to make it back to her seat. Louise took a steadying breath. “I have Osteosarcoma. Won’t bore you with the details. It’s cancer of the bones. Not sure how long I have to live.”

In a way, Rocho felt as if she’d been hit physically more than emotionally. She’d long ago grieved for a mother and father. In fact, she thought of this woman as nothing more than a stranger who had just informed her that she was dying. There was sympathy, but nothing more.

Silence ensued for a long time. Louise finally understood that her daughter had nothing to say to her. “I guess I’ve been dead to you for a long time. I hope what’s in that envelope gives you some measure of comfort. I’ll be heading back to Mississippi. If you see your brother…”

Louise rose from the chair. She couldn’t finish the thought. Her son had made it clear. He had made it crystal clear he wanted nothing to do with her when he left Mississippi. Home was where she was headed, but it was to die alone.

Without another word, Louise made her way to the front door. Though it barely shut behind her, it was as if a strongman had slammed the door shut.

Rocho held the manila envelope in her hand. She wasn’t certain she wanted to know what was inside. Yet, her mother, who had made it perfectly clear she loathed her, had made the trip from Mississippi to Michigan just to personally hand it to her.

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