"Mom please turn the lights off. I'm wake"
"Mom"
Sighing dramatically. I opened my eyes to an unfamiliar setting. My body ached like I'd been hit by a truck. The irony.
The accident.
Where was she? She must be okay I thought to myself as the heart rate monitor begun to beep erratically. A nurse rushed into the room to check my vitals
"Calm down honey just breath"
"Where is my mom?"
"The doctor will be in shortly to update you and I'll be right back"
Oh great, she didn't answer the question this is not a good sign. Sitting up, I was just going to have to find her myself. Looking around the room it was pretty bare except for a table of flowers and some cards, at least that means I'm not all alone.
"Excuse me. Please get back into bed. I'm doctor Smith. You and your mother were hit by a truck do you remember anything from last Saturday ?"
"Last Saturday! How long was I out and where is she ?"
" You experienced minor injuries with major brain swelling that is why you were placed in a medically induced coma. Your mother's injuries were much severe"
"Is she dead?"
"No. Let me finish your examination so you can be released and we can discuss treatment with your family that is arriving shortly."
I nodded wordlessly. What would I do without mum?
Hold up. Family?
It was just me and her. How would I take care of her?
The nurse from earlier brought in a few clothes I could wear and our personal effects from the crash. Once I was dressed, I sat waiting for someone to tell me this was a joke. A bad one at that but it had to be.
Knock knock.
The door opened without my response and in came the doctor and a lady dressed in all white. She had on huge sunglasses and was carrying a burgundy Micheal kors hand bag. Okay, aunty.
"Amina this is miss Lane. She is the emergency contact on your mother's ID and she is listed as your guardian in case anything happens to your mother."
"Why won't you tell me what has happened?"
"As I said before, your mother sustained more severe injuries. A fractured femur. Broken ribs of which one punctured her liver. Luckily we found a donor and the surgery went well. But the main issue is she sustained a fractured skull. The swelling on her brain has reduced but for a better prognosis, she has been placed in a coma to help her heal."
Silence.
"Amina"
"What am I suppose to do now?" I asked breaking down.
Miss Lane got up from her position in the corner seemingly feeling this was the best opportunity to make her presence known.
"I'm sorry we are meeting under such circumstances. But you don't have to worry about anything. You and your mother were coming to stay with me on your vacation. She can be transferred to our home we're will hire only the best to ensure she comes back to us.
I'll take care of everything"
I could only nod as aunty rich, rich went on. This was not supposed to happen. Miss lane began discussing with the doctors about how we would move her and any of the dangers. They suggested she was stable now so it would be the best opportunity to do so.
"Can I see her now?"
The doctor called a nurse to take me to her room which was in the ICU. As I entered the room, it looked like it had more visitors than mine and someone had slept in the visitor's chair. Seeing her all frail and hooked up to machines, my heart crumbled at the weight of the guilt I was feeling. This was not supposed to happen. It is all my fault. If I had not gone out we wouldn't have had to go to the police and she would have been home safe. I could not imagine my life without her. Her energy, her strength, her smile.
"Can I come in?" asked Ms.Lane from the door.
"Sure"
"You look so much like both of them" miss Lane smiled sadly as she stared at mom like her mind was far away.
Both?
"Why are you acting as if you know? Her I'm pretty sure I've never seen you before."
"Oh, but we have. I'm your mother's best friend and we'd tell each other everything."
Interesting.
"So what can you tell me about the sperm donor that made me "
"Later hun. You have a visitor." She said as the door slide open and Lacey burst in.
"Amina!"
She threw her arms around me as we broke down.
"Why don't you say your goodbyes, while I finalize everything for your mom."
After explaining everything that was happening I said goodbye to Lacey. Miss Lane had a car waiting to take me home to pack up some things for me and mom. We were almost done so there wasn't much. Miss lane said she would take care of all arrangements for the house until we returned.
I changed into my own clothing after showering and waited in the leaving room for what seemed to be the start of my new life.
If only I had any idea how true this was.
Who were these people? How would life be without mom there to guide me?
"We can leave as soon as you are ready," said Ms.Lane when she found me in the living room
"Where are we going?" I asked heading for the car.
"It's a town just outside of Aspen. It's pretty cold but very beautiful I'm sure you'll fall in love with it immediately."
"Mm-mmm"
As we pulled out. We approached several black cars that seemed to join our convoy and were headed in our direction. We arrived at a private airstrip that would fly us there.
After settling in and taking off, I couldn't help but break down and cry to myself about everything taking place. I cried so hard I passed out.
Hopefully, things won't be as bad in this new place.