At that point, I didn’t even hesitate.
I immediately told her she should come stay with us because that was the only way I could provide her with the peace, love, and care she deserved.
I offered her the guest room, or even Sophie’s room, while she was away at college, just so she could feel like she belonged.
I thought I was doing the right thing for everyone, and that Daniel would understand. I believed compassion would outweigh old grudges.
Little did I know how wrong I was.
When I brought Mom home with me, we decided the guest room would be the best option for her since it was cozy, quiet, and close to the kitchen.
From the very first evening, she kept thanking me.
“I don’t want to be a burden, Julia,” she whispered, holding my hand. “You’re doing too much for me.”
I squeezed back and said firmly, “You could never be a burden.
You’re my mom.”
She slipped into our home life so gently that it was almost seamless. She was polite, respectful, and incredibly humble.
Even though the chemo left her exhausted most days, she still tried to help around the house. I would come back from the grocery store and find she had folded the laundry, or I’d see her carefully sweeping the porch even when I begged her to rest.
“Mom, please,” I’d say, guiding her back to the couch with a blanket.
“You don’t have to lift a finger here. Your only job is to get better.”
“I just want to feel useful,” she’d say in that gentle way of hers.
Then one morning, I had to leave for work in another city. It was just for a day, but I still felt uneasy about going.
I sat on the edge of Mom’s bed, brushing a strand of hair from her face, and said, “I’ll leave in the morning, but I’ll be back tomorrow around lunchtime.
I promise I won’t be gone long. Will you be alright without me?”
She smiled. “Julia, I’ll be fine.
It’s only one night. Daniel is here, and I’ll take it easy. You’ve done more than enough already.”
Her reassurance helped, but I couldn’t shake the knot in my stomach.
I kissed her on the forehead, tucked her blanket around her, and told her I’d call that evening to check in. Then I left, repeating to myself over and over that it was just one night.
The next day, I finished work earlier than expected and decided to come home before lunchtime. I wanted to surprise Mom, maybe bring her something nice to eat from that bakery she loved downtown.
But what I saw when I stepped inside the house is something I will never forget.
There, in the middle of the corridor, was a thin mattress thrown directly on the hardwood floor. And on it lay my mother. Curled up under a blanket, her frail frame trembling even in sleep.
For a moment, I couldn’t breathe.
Then I rushed to her side, kneeling beside her.
“Mom?” I called out. “Mom, wake up, what are you doing here?”
She stirred, opening her tired eyes. Her voice came out weak, almost apologetic.
“Daniel said there wasn’t any space for me. He told me the guest room and even the other free rooms were being treated for mold, so I couldn’t sleep there. He said it was just for the night, that I had to stay here in the hall.”
Mold?
I thought. All the rooms?
The house had been spotless when I left. And why hadn’t he mentioned anything about this on the phone yesterday when I called to check in?
“Wait here,” I whispered, tucking the blanket tighter around her shoulders.
She caught my hand gently.
“Julia, please don’t be upset. Daniel asked me not to tell you. He said he didn’t want you worrying during your trip.”
I felt so bad.
Even now, lying on the cold floor in her weakened state, she was trying to shield me from conflict.
I leaned closer and whispered, “Mom, don’t tell Daniel I came home early. Not yet. Please.”
She nodded faintly, and I kissed her forehead, forcing myself to leave the house quietly, pretending I hadn’t seen what I saw.
By noon, I came back again, this time loudly with bags in hand, as though I had just returned from my trip exactly on schedule.
Daniel was in the kitchen making coffee, smiling as if nothing had happened.
“Hey,” he said casually.
“How was your trip?”
I forced a smile. “Fine. Anything new while I was gone?”
He shook his head.
“Not really. Everything was fine here.”
