Chelsea

I kissed her cheek and told her how much I loved her before I left. Each visit became progressively harder; she’d lost weight living on a liquid diet, and her eyes were tired—not sleepy, but weary. I felt like I should offer her permission to let go; however, selfishly, I wasn’t there yet. I wanted to hold on for another day, another week, another year. There would never come a point where I could open the gate to eternity for her. I’d always need her, and not even Dottie could take her place.

Dottie waited for me to say goodbye just outside the room. It had become our routine. She always gave me time alone with my mom. She did it in case it was the last time I got to see her. And while I refused to believe the door closing behind me could take my mother with it, I appreciated her consideration all the same.