Vivienne Parker POV
Two years after I graduated from Stanford university California.
I couldn't get a job when I returned to my country home and lost ways of communicating with Linda, my roommate. Though I was working, I needed a permanent job.
In the past two years, my step mother and my step sister Mary Parker have been very nice to me. They have changed little in their manners of talking and ordering me around. At least I have gotten my peace of mind.
My mother got ill, I took her to the hospital but the bills were too much I had to double my hustle.
I sold all my mother's expensive jewellery and other expensive things but it wasn't enough. I didn't know who to turn to. My father on the other hand had nothing. He lost everything Years back so he was just depending on my step mother and I thought I didn't have much to offer.
I thought of going to my step mother for help but discarded the thought immediately because I know my step mother hasn't changed completely and even the way she treated my father. I had nobody else , I have sold everything my mother had , including some of my jewellery I bought while in college. It wasn't enough, I thought of Linda but there was no way to contact her.
I kept going to the hospital from time to time , all this while I never told my father that my mother was ill . Despite the fact that my mother wasn't living with us, my father never stopped saying the good side of her and that my stepmother is nothing compared to my mom. So I decided to tell him.
I returned from the hospital one evening and headed straight to my dad's room. Dad.. I called out to him
Vivienne.. he replied calling my name.
Mom is very ill.. I managed to say
What??? For how long Vivienne? He asked
For three months now dad.. I answered
Three months? and you kept it away from me? How could you Vivienne , your mom my wife has been sick for months now and you didn't bother to tell me? What has come over you Vivienne, why did you choose to hide your mother's I'll health away from me.
At this juncture, I knew my dad was very angry, I knew it was wrong hiding mom's ill health away from him. I didn't want to bother him because he's a BP patient due to the results of losing all his years back.
I'm sorry dad.. I managed to say with tears rolling down my cheeks. I'm really sorry dad, I didn't want to bother you resulting in your health. I thought I could handle it. I'm deeply sorry.. I said to my father while I'm apologising.
It's okay my daughter.. how is she now.. he asked.
I broke into tears because I knew my mom wasn't responding to treatment, the doctors tried their best, they didn't care if I completed the bills or not. All they wanted first was to make sure my mom was alive before talking about bills.
She's not responding to treatment dad.. I managed to reply..
Are the doctors not working on her or haven't you paid her hospital bills.
Ah I wished I was the Parker Robinson I used to be.
Dad, it's okay… mom will be fine.. I said to him
I pray so.. he replied
Vivienne.. I love your mom, I didn't ask her to leave. She left on her own, your Mom is a very good woman unlike your step mother, your step mother is nothing compared to her as I used to say.
I knew you kept it away from me because your mom and I aren't leaving together. We will go see her tomorrow. Dad said
I was so overwhelmed that at least I won't be going to the hospital alone, I will have someone to go with and this person happens to be my dad. I jumped on him. Thank you dad.. I'm grateful I said standing up to hug him.
You welcome my daughter.. he replied
Ok dad let me go freshen up and find something for us to eat, it was quite a hectic day.. I stood up and headed to my room.
I was quite happy, with joy in my heart I quickly freshened up and headed to the kitchen to cook for my dad and I.
The next day we headed to the hospital by 9 o'clock in the morning to see my mom. Getting there mom was still alive but I knew her health wasn't improving. Mom I called out to her but she couldn't talk nod her head, she was just staring at us , Mom I called her again.. dad is here I added. Mom say hello to dad but no response, dad came to sit closer to her but still she wasn't talking, Dad touched her palms, she's dead.. dad screamed.. No no no, mom mom but she was gone . Doctor, nurse , doctor I ran out shouting and calling on doctors for help.
Vivienne Parker was the matter, one of the doctors that treated my mom asked. Dr Carter my mom, I don't know what's happening, she's not breathing anymore. I said to him,
Oh goodness, please let's go .
When we got to the room, my mom's corpse was covered by a nurse who came to check on her. Then I realised my dad wasn't there.
Nurse please did you see any middle aged man here, please he's my dad.. I said to her,
Oh so sorry Vivienne,
Many doctors and nurses knew my name because of my regular visit to the hospital .
He's in a coma.. she added.
What?? My dad? nurse please how did it happen I asked her..
The old Man couldn't stand the sight of your mother's corpse being covered. He slumped.. the nurse said. He's been admitted, he will be fine. Go home and come back tomorrow.. she added.