CHAPTER 2: THINGS LEFT UNSAID
The doctors quickly moved Margaret into an examination room.
Daniel sat in the hallway, unable to remain still.
Emily quietly held his hand.
A police officer who had assisted hospital security during the emergency stood nearby, observing the family with sympathy.
Hours seemed to pass.
Finally, a nurse handed Daniel his mother's belongings.
Her purse felt surprisingly light.
As he opened it, he discovered several envelopes.
Past-due utility bills.
Prescription receipts.
Bank notices.
Medical statements.
Every envelope carried the same red letters:
PAYMENT OVERDUE.
Daniel's hands began to shake.
He discovered that his mother had stopped purchasing several of her medications months earlier.
She had canceled follow-up appointments.
She had been living on almost nothing.
When Margaret returned from testing, Daniel sat beside her.
"Why didn't you tell me?"
She avoided his eyes.
"You have children. A mortgage. Your own life."
"You're my mother."
Margaret smiled sadly.
"After your father died, I learned how to be alone."
Emily began crying quietly.
The officer standing near the doorway lowered his eyes.
Even the nurses seemed affected by the conversation.
Margaret finally spoke again.
"I didn't want to become another problem you had to solve."
Daniel felt years of guilt crashing over him.
He remembered canceled visits.
Missed phone calls.
May you like
Promises to come by "next weekend."
He had assumed there would always be more time.
