Chapter 12
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Martha froze for a moment, then frowned. “What are you talking about Juno is already this old, and you’re talking about divorce! Are you trying to make it so that when I’m gone, I have no face to meet your father up there?”
“If you’re getting divorced, fine. 111 discharge myself tomorrow and stop the treatment Martha snapped, getting upset.
I quickly tried to calm her down, apologizing and taking back what l’il said.
She eyed me suspiciously. “Why are you suddenly talking about divorce?”
“It’s nothing. I waved it off. “I’m just a little upset”
Martha immediately grasped my hand. “Silly girl, don’t let my illness stop you from being happy”
After some coaxing. I managed to calm her enough to get her to sleep. Finally, I had a chance to breathe,
I lay down on the folding bed, the scent of the perfume Dexter had carefully prepared for me still lingering in the air. Slowly, I drifted of
I had a nightmare. In the dream, Dexter took Juno away from me, walking off with another woman in his arms. I ran after them desperately, but no matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t catch up.
I woke up in a cold sweat, and when I saw the daylight outside, I realized I’d slept through the night. At some point, Dexter had come in, and he’d already set up a small breakfast table for Martha
This morning. Clara had an interview, so she couldn’t come to the hospital.
Dexter volunteered to stay at the hospital the whole day. When he saw me awake, he hurried over. “How did you sleep
“Good.” I replied, trying to sound normal. I’m going to wash up. I didn’t want to face him, so I rushed to the bathroom.
Looking at myself in the mirror, I was horrified. My eyes were red and puffy, and my face was so pale I looked like a ghost. Pull yourself together, Sylvia, I thought to myself. ‘Don’t give up now. This is just the beginning!
I quickly freshened up and came out to eat breakfast. Once I was done, Martha needed a check–up, so Dexter and I accompanied her. We waited outside while she went in for the exam on her own.
For the first time. I felt like being near Dexter made the air feel suffocating. The tension was so thick I wanted to escape.
Dexter broke the silence. “Sylvia, did 1 do something wrong?” His voice was suddenly soft, almost sounding hurt.
I blinked, surprised. “What do you mean?”
This morning, when you were still asleep, Mom told me you were thinking about divorce… Why?” His voice cracked, full of confusion. “Why would you think about divorce“
“I” I was at a loss for words. I never expected Martha would go and tell Dexter everything.
It was just last night that I had been emotionally overwhelmed and said some incoherent things, and now Martha had repeated every word to. Dexter
It was obvious how much she appreciated his support during this hospitalization. Her years of resentment seemed to have melted away, and she had suddenly grown close to him–almou as if he were her own son.
Martha’s illness will become too much of a burden on you…”
a deep breath and spoke carefully. “It’s not like that. I just worry M
I met his eyes, steadying myself before continuing, “You know, chronic kidney failure is a long–term condition. The treatment is expensive, and
she’ll need to be on medication for the rest of her life.
“Even if we’re lucky and find a kidney donor, the costs will be huge. She’s my mom, not
yours. I don’t want to drag you into all of this.”
Dexter panicked, gripping my hand sightly. “What are you talking about? We’re married, don’t you know what that sticking together.
means? Marriage is about
