The End of the Road

The End of the Road

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP is the only thing I hear in the morning as I wake to a completely empty and quiet house which is very unusual for a school day. Shutting off the alarm at 6:30 the morning, it was time for me to prepare myself for another dull and boring day at school. Fighting the feeling to get out of my warm bed, I got up to begin my morning ritual. I searched the house and I was completely all alone. After brushing my teeth, washing my face, combing my hair and laying the clothes out neatly on the bed I got dressed and locked up the house to walk to the bus stop. Since I was a little early that morning I decided to stop and get some Starbucks. I ordered a caramel frappucino with extra cream and gave the barista my dollars and exited the coffee shop to return to the bus stop. As the buss arrived, I pulled out my pass and boarded after my fellow patrons. On the slightly long bus ride I pulled the cord to signal the driver to stop at the next destination. When the bus jerked up to the curb I promptly got off and proceeded to walked over to the back gate and entered the school. As I made my way past the soccer field, I received a phone call. I dug deep into my backpack fumbled around and retrieved the mobile device. Glancing over at the caller ID it was my sister calling me. “Why is she calling so early?” I thought to myself as I answered the phone.

“Hello?” I Answered

“Good morning”

“Good morning”

“Are you busy at the moment? I need to talk to you.”

“Eh, kinda I just made it to school but I have a few moments what’s wrong?”

Silence.

“Are you still there?” I responded.

“Yes I am” she faintly said.

The bell for first period chimed and all the students were shuffling in the hallway to make it to their class before the tardy bell rang.

I told her that I would have to call her back because school just started but she insisted that I didn’t get off the phone until she stated her reason for calling. The butterflies were flying around in my stomach as I anticipated her message.

“You can’t go to school today I need you to come to the hospital now!” she blared into the phone.

“What happened? Is everything okay?”

“Don’t hesitate. Just get here.” With that the phone line disconnected.

I stood outside for a few seconds, trying to process all the information. Watching the few latecomers run to class at a track star speed as the tardy bell chimed. I started to make my way over to the gate I had previously entered and the security had just place the padlock and chains around the gate snapping it tightly. He stopped me and told me to go to class and that I was already late. Such as if I didn’t know. I turned around and hurried over to the front gate, which is always open after the late bell. My calves were burning from rushing to get to the front gate as another security guard snapped and secured the lock on the front gate. She stated that if I wanted to leave campus that I have to go through the main office and be released to a parent or contact on my emergency list. I panicked, so many thoughts flashed through my head as I tried to brainstorm about all of the possible reasons of such urgency. Tears began to flood my eyes as I tried to figure out the worst case scenario. I ran to the gate that led to the student parking lot and seen that It was too locked. My only option was the front office which held about a dozen of late students trying to obtain a pass to class. As I entered the side door and seen that all the office personnel was distracted by students and chattering among their fellow colleagues. I snagged a pen off the counter wrote a quick note: SORRY IT’S AN EMERGENCY. I placed the pen and paper along side the receptionist and slowly walked to the door. When my hand grabbed the door, I heard the lady scream “She’s Ditching!” I ran as fast as I could out of the school into the parking lot and hurdled over the gate and down the street to the bus stop. Security took off after me and stopped pursuing me once I jumped over the gate and made it to the main street. Thankfully, the bus was still loading passengers when I arrived. I brushed past a few passengers to board the bus and claim a seat. My heart was beating so loud that I didn’t even hear the bus driver ask for my pass. I flashed it and remained seated to catch my breath. The bus pulled off the curb and we got caught at a red light by the school grounds I just fled from. The security guards were still in the parking lot trying to reenact the pursuit. Other guards laughed at the trained guard who failed to retrieve his prize- the student. I ducked down in the window of the bus to remain concealed. Minutes after I arrive at the hospital and entered the lobby, I see my sister and my other siblings sitting in the waiting room. I ran over and told them what just happened back at the school. They all remained quiet. There was nothing but the laughter of the children in the corner playing with toys obviously not knowing what’s going on as well. I was directed to take a seat and did so. My oldest brother started talking first. Tears streamed down my face as I felt my ears betray me.

“Its mom, she’s not looking too good. She has been diagnosed with stage four ovarian cancer and the cancer has spreaded to her liver, kidneys and lungs. ”

“Can I see her?”

“Yes, but she needs rest.”

As I was directed down the hall, my heart felt like it could burst. It seemed so unreal. The same lady that had given me life had an expiration date on hers. I entered the room and seen all the tubes and IV cords entangled around her. I grabbed her hands and felt the same warmth I shared. I began talking to her as if she was awake and aware. I kissed her head and he eyes flickered open. She responded to my prior statements. I told her I loved her and she replied with the same.

 She faintly said “You can never let anybody change who you are, I don’t want my condition to break you, and I want you to continue to live your life and be successful, and never forget what memories we have shared.”  

 “Yes Ma’am”. I responded.

 I exited the room with soggy eyes and returned to the waiting room lobby with my other siblings. My brother held me tight and told me to be strong. I just wept silently. After a few hours the charge nurse tried to get me to leave I refused she asked if I was hungry and I said no she instructed if I needed anything to let her know. I asked her for a blanket since the room was cold. At about three in the morning I awoke in the lobby not in the patient room where I had fallen asleep. I got up headed to the bathroom and splashed cool water on my face. As I was going down the hall to the patient room I see my family walking towards me. I observed a slow and eerie walk with unforgettable facial expressions. I was stopped in mid stride and told that my mother had passed on. I smiled as I thought back to the conversation I just had with my mother a few hours ago. I snapped out of my trance and I noticed a herd of faces with similar expressions. No one spoke but they all were wondering the same thing. I told them all I was okay and satisfied that she doesn’t have to suffer anymore. We all shared a group hug and exited the hospital. It’s traumatic when god calls his angels home. I lost my best friend and mother but grateful that she can finally be in peace. I wouldn’t change this experience for nothing because it showed me how strong of a person I really am. Although I tend to miss her dearly, to this day, she still lives on in my heart.