Julian paced back and forth in his office, a worried expression on his face. The doctor's report lay neatly on the table. How did this happen? He thought. For as long as he could remember, he was perfectly healthy. That was what he thought until two weeks ago.
He woke up with a terrible headache, Lori's bickering increasing it tenfold. He could see the twins were undoubtedly worried about their daily argument. There was never a peaceful breakfast in the Heathrow manor, the same could be said for both lunch and dinner. He got married to Lori because of the twins, but he wasn't sure he could stand her nagging and complaints. On other occasions, an argument would begin, but he was too weak to argue with her. She ranted and screamed about nothing in particular, her voice echoing in his head. The twins pretended as though they heard nothing, hurriedly ate their breakfast, and scrambled out of the house, leaving him alone with her and her nagging.
"I told you we should hire a new maid but you didn't listen. How can…what's wrong with you? Why are you sweating?"
He wiped his forehead with the back of his palm. He didn't realize he was sweating. Lori's shouts died down to a faint whisper. He felt air constantly leave his lungs. His eyelids were heavier than normal, but it wasn't from tiredness. He heard her scream once more, but she wasn't arguing. Instead, she was calling for help. He saw the servants scramble to his side but he was too weak to make a sound. Suddenly, everywhere went dark.
He woke up on a hospital bed. His children were by his side, their eyes widening when he woke up. Lori wasn't there, they said she had to attend an event.
"What happened, Dad?" Kyrie said, squeezing his palm. He placed his hand over hers. "I'm fine, it's just a headache."
"Are you sure?"
He nodded. They stopped conversing when they heard a knock on the door. At the door stood a woman in a blue dress, a fur sash resting on her shoulders. On her ears were dangly pearl earrings and on her neck was a pearl necklace. Her gray hair was made into a chignon. She wore cat-eyed sunglasses, which she took off once she stepped into the room. There was only one woman Kyrielle knew would wear sunglasses indoors.
"Grandma!" She squealed, rushing to her side. She pulled her into a hug, only ending it when she patted her back.
"I'm too old for your hugs, dear child," she laughed, "They are going to break my fragile bones." Her brother went to her side and like his sister, hugged her. She kissed his cheeks and ruffled his hair. When she was done, she moved to the bed where their father lay.
"Mother," he mumbled.
"Goodness me!" She cried. "Is that gray hair I see on your head, Julian? Seems you're getting old too."
"It's nice to see you too."
"What happened to you? You look terrible."
"I'm fine, thanks for asking," he said, rolling his eyes. His actions amused Doris. "You're such a petulant child, dear boy. Grow up."
"I'm forty-two for crying out loud, Mother. Give me a break."
"Hush, Julian. You need to rest, doctor's orders. Where's that wife of yours?"
"She isn't here."
She sighed as she placed her hand on her forehead. "I won't say I didn't expect that. Come now children, it's time to go."
"But Grandma!" They whined.
"Not now, you two!" She said in her thick British accent. "I believe your exams commence soon. We don't want you two bringing back terrible grades, do we?"
They shook their heads. Doris clapped her hands hesitantly. "The driver is at the parking lot, he'll take you two home."
"What about you?" Kyrie asked.
"Don't worry about me, now off with you two!"
They grumbled as they dragged their feet out of the room. She watched them leave, then turned back to face him.
"You aren't fine, Julian. The kids are gone, you can tell me."
"I'm fine, Mother."
"Don't lie to me!"
"It's the truth!"
She tightened her grip on her purse. "Being stubborn, huh? Well, I can be stubborn too! I'll just ask the doctor then."
"You worry too much Mother. I'm fine!"
"How long have I known you?"
"What do you…?"
"Answer the question!"
"My whole life," he muttered.
"Then I should know if you're okay or not.
"Yes…"
"Good!" She replied, "Now tell me, what's wrong?"
He shrugged, his arms going slack. "I will admit it to you Mother, I'm not feeling myself today."
"Has it…oh, the doctor is here, just when we needed him!"
The doctor blushed at her comments. Not taking notice of it, she continued. "Do tell doctor, what's wrong with him?"
"I'm afraid we need to carry out some tests before I can make any diagnosis."
"Well, what are you waiting for? Get on with it!"
Soon, nurses entered the ward. Doris watched as her son was lifted off the bed and placed in a wheelchair. She watched as they took him out of the room. She felt something roll down her cheeks. It was her tears. She quickly dabbed them away with her napkin, not wanting to ruin her makeup. Although the doctor hadn't confirmed it, she knew something was wrong with him. She felt it in her bones.
After what seemed like an eternity later, Julian was wheeled back to the ward. She leaped off the chair, running towards the doctor.
"What's wrong with him?"
"I'm sorry Mrs. Heathrow, but we haven't gotten the results yet."
"Then off with you all!"
She shooed the doctor and the nurses out of the ward before returning to her son's side.
"How are you feeling?"
"You're right, Mother," he groaned, "I feel terrible."
She ran her fingers through his hair. "Oh my poor child, you look so pale."
"My joints are killing me."
"Dear me," she cried, "That means you have arthritis. You're older than I thought, dear boy."
"I'm sure that I don't have arthritis."
"We shouldn't jump to conclusions, we'll have to wait for the doctor's results."
"But Mother…"
"I told you we shouldn't have hired that maid, Julian, but you never listen…"
Julian and Doris turned their heads in the direction of the voice. The lady wore a blue halter-neck dress. Her long strawberry-blond hair was pulled into a sleek ponytail. She wore green contact lenses, although her eyes were blue. She stopped blabbing when she saw Doris.
"Mother," she whimpered. "I was just…"
She held up her hand. Lori stopped talking when she made that gesture.
"Good evening to you, Lorraine. Where were you?"
"I was…"
"Enough!" She barked. Julian held back a laugh when he saw Lori flinch like a frightened kitten, her eyes widened in horror. Doris straightened her clothes, regaining her composure.
"Come, Lorraine. Sit with us and we will wait for the results together."
"I don't mind standing-"
"It wasn't a request. Sit down."
She hurriedly sat next to her. She rocked on the chair nervously, compelled to bite her fingernails.
"What's wrong with you, Lorraine? Are you cold? Do you need to use the bathroom?"
"I'm fine…"
"Then why are you shaking as though you've seen a ghost?"
"Nothing-" she managed to say. Doris huffed as she threw the sash over her shoulders. She remained silent as they waited for the results.