Dr. Mauldin stepped forward and took her mother’s arm. “Mrs. Walters, I’m Dr. Mauldin, and you’re in the hospital. You had a stroke yesterday and were brought here. I know you’re confused right now and probably a little scared. We’re going to take care of you. Just take your time when trying to speak or move for a bit. A stroke can make things more difficult for awhile and what’s normally so easy may be harder." He continued on in a patient, soothing voice, “we’re going to run some tests on you in the next few days. You will get so sick of seeing me that you will be trying to lock me out, but we’re going to be a great team, you and I. I’m stopping all previous medications except for the insulin, and we will slowly see what needs to be added back or changed. You will tell me what you’re feeling and what you need, and I’ll do my best to make it happen. I work right here in this hospital so if you need me anytime you have one of the nurses give me a call. I take care of my own, and you’re one of them now, okay?”
Claire was moved at the obvious sincerity in Dr. Mauldin’s voice. She could tell that her mother was also soothed by his promises, and some of the panic eased out of her eyes. “Now I’m going to go set up some tests for later this morning and let you and your daughter have a chance to visit. If it's ok, I’ll call you Evelyn from this point; we’re going to be good friends before this is over.” Her mother nodded her head in agreement, and Dr. Mauldin left them alone.
Claire looked down at her mother and said, “Mom, you’re going to be okay; I know you’re scared but please believe we will get you the help you need.”
Tears started to flow from her mother’s eyes as she said, “Cl…Ai..Re.” Somehow just hearing her mother managing to say her name after several attempts was one of the sweetest and saddest moments of her life.
“Mom, please just try to rest now and build your strength back up. You heard Dr. Mauldin say they’re doing tests today so they’ll know how best to help you.”
“Soo..rr..y.....N..ot…G…ood…M.o….m.”
It took her a few seconds to figure out what her mother was trying to say to her. “Mom! Why would you say that? This isn’t your fault and it sure doesn’t make you a bad mother. I love you very much, and you being sick will never change that.” As her own tears began to flow despite her best efforts to hold them back, Claire reached down to brush the tears away from her mother’s cheeks.
“Di..d..no..t…s..av.e….my….baa..bie..s.” In that moment Claire knew exactly what she was referring to. Even after he was gone, the presence of her father lingered heavily in the room alive in both her mother’s and Claire's memory.
The abuse she received at the hands of her father would never leave her, but she’d managed to make a life for herself. Her mother, however, had never really had that reprieve. She moved from the prison of living with an abusive husband to the prison of Alzheimer’s and now those walls were once again closing in around her. Regret and something close to shame were clearly reflected in the depths of her eyes.
“Mom, the past is over. Daddy made you a prisoner, but now you’re free and you deserve to be happy and enjoy your life. I realize that you spent most of your life trying to deflect his anger onto you and away from us." Claire leaned down and put her arms around her mother as best she could, and they stayed like that until the door opened.
“Can anyone join in this hug?”
Claire saw Louise smiling in the doorway and held out a hand to her. “Group hug then.” Claire insisted that Louise take the one chair in the room, and she stood near the window. “How did you get here this morning? I was going to call and see if you wanted me to pick you up.”
“My sister dropped me on her way to play bingo,” laughed Louise. “You know nothing can keep her from getting in there and hoping for the big payoff.”
Claire noticed her mother looked much better since Louise arrived. She’d been part of their lives for so long that she was like a sister and maybe a bit of a mother to them both. Claire could tell that Louise brought the same calming influence to her mother that she always did. Soon, she was trying to smile along with them as they joked and tried to lighten the mood.
~~~
Glenda arrived around eleven and wheeled her mother off for her first round of tests. Louise said she was going to the restroom and to stretch her legs for a bit. Claire decided to go to the waiting room and find some magazines to pass the time. As she neared the nurse’s station she was surprised to see Jason deep in conversation with Dr. Mauldin.
Jason spotted her and walked over to give her a hug. “Hi there, how is your mom doing today?”
“Umm, pretty good. When did you get here?”
“A few moments ago,” said Jason. “I met Tom on my way in, and we were catching up. We both serve on some of the same charities and have known each other for years. Your mother couldn’t be in better hands. I told Tom that your mother was to have whatever she needs so don’t worry about anything.”
Claire felt her spine stiffen. She gave Dr. Mauldin a tight smile and turned to Jason. “May I talk to you privately for a moment please?”
Obviously puzzled by her behavior, Jason replied, “Sure. Tom it was great to see you again. I’m sure we will talk soon.”
Jason steered her down the hall and stepped out a side door into a small courtyard. When he attempted to put his arms around her, she stiffened and pushed away. “Jason, why were you discussing my mother’s medical care with her doctor?”