Two days had passed since I left the letter on the oak tree, and my mother still hadn't woken from her coma. Frustrated, I crumpled the paper in my hand and tossed it aside.
"Did you write something wrong in the letter?" a deep, resonant voice asked. I looked up to see Mr. Fasley, a man in his forties, who greeted me with a smile and a bow.
I managed a weary smile as I rose from my chair and walked toward him. "You could say that. Good evening, Mr. Fasley. What brings you here?"
"Yes, my old woman broke her back again," he said, pinching his nose in exasperation. "Even though I've told her a thousand times, she insists on lifting heavy loads."
"Oh, I'm sorry to hear that," I said, chuckling at his frustration. "Let's go take care of her."
I gathered my basket of medicine and headed out. It had become somewhat routine for his wife to have such accidents. As I left the cottage, I took a last, worried glance at my sleeping mother and her pale face.
After treating Mrs. Fasley and ensuring she was comfortable, I finally headed back to my cottage. The journey back felt longer than usual, weighed down by the worry of my mother's condition. As I approached the cottage, I glanced at the setting sun, casting long shadows over the hills.
I entered the cottage, burdened by the weight of grief and anger. The letter had promised hope, a cure for Mom, but it had all been a false hope. Fury burned in my eyes as I trudged through the familiar space. Just then, a sweet, familiar voice called out, weary yet comforting.
"Althea, are you back?"
I rushed toward her room, my heart pounding with a mix of relief and desperation. As soon as I saw her, I enveloped her in a tight embrace, my anger and sadness melting away in the warmth of her presence.
"Mom! You're awake!" I choked on my tears, burying my face in her hair. "I thought I'd lost you. I'm so relieved."
She pulled back just enough to meet my eyes, her gaze filled with a warmth that eased the ache in my heart. "I'm here, Althea. I've missed you."
"I've missed you too, Mom," I whispered, my voice breaking. "I love you more than words can say."
"And I love you, my dear," she whispered back, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. "You're my strength."