They left me alone with my son’s mother, who hadn’t regained consciousness since the accident, and as soon as their ‘vacation’ flight took off, her eyes broadened and she clutched my wrist. She whispered four words that made me lock the door and check my medication log: ‘Don’t trust my son.’ I looked down the hallway, listening to the steady beeping of the monitor… and realized they weren’t on vacation at all.

“Oh, James, I’m so sorry.” I sat down on my bed, my Arizona trip suddenly feeling trivial. “What do you need?”

“Someone needs to stay with Margaret. The home health nurse comes twice a day, but we can’t leave her alone overnight.” His voice cracked slightly. “Mom, I know you had plans, but… we really need you.”

Those four words—we really need you.

I’d waited my whole life to hear James say he needed me.

“Of course,” I said. “I’ll come. When do you need me there?”

“Tomorrow morning. Our flight leaves at noon.”

Continue reading…