Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: FRAGILE (02/23/17)
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TITLE: The Manor House | Previous Challenge Entry
By LeslieJean Anderson
03/02/17 -
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“Mom, you will be safe at Manor House. People there will help you with everything, 24-7. I am so afraid that you’ll fall and break something again.”
“No!” Margaret shook her head vigorously. “Not unless you go too! And that is not a joke. You’re not a spring chicken anymore either!”
The younger woman sighed. Her mother simply could not be left alone. Her bones were so thin that squeezing her hand too tight was a risk.
She didn’t resent caring for her mother. But Liza’s back was a growing problem and the fear of Margaret falling was taking its toll on her nerves.
“Mom, it’s not a nursing home. It’s just assisted living, with thick carpeting everywhere and hand rails on all the walls. Sturdy assistants are hired to help you with every move. And I promise I’ll visit every day.”
Margaret was crying now. “Every day?” she squeaked out.
Liza was puzzled. Her mother had been a fiercely independent and energetic widow. But when Liza went through a drawn-out and contentious divorce, her mother had suddenly become very clingy.
She’d moved from California to a house close to Liza. She’d helped with Liza’s teenaged children, and insisted on talking to her every day. Eventually they settled into a routine of daily phone chats and visits back and forth.
“Yes – every day. Mom, please don’t cry. What is it that bothers you so much? You’ve always been strong! Please tell me. I need to know how to help you.”
Margaret’s eyes filled with tears again. Finally, after a long pause, she said softly, “I don’t want to leave you by yourself, Liza. After Nathan left, you were so…” Margaret stopped and took the tissue Liza was holding out.
Liza froze at the mention of her ex-husband’s name. But that trauma was all in the past now. The legal battles were over. She’d won all of them, and he’d moved away. The children were both grown and doing fine now. What did Nathan have to do with her mother?
Margaret blew her nose on the tissue.
Liza spoke slowly, “I was… so… what, Mom?”
“So fragile,” Margaret whispered.
Fragile? Still puzzled, Liza cocked her head, touched her mother’s hand gently and said, “Can you explain? Please? Just so I can understand?”
Margaret twisted her hands and looked down.
“I know about the pills, Liza,” she said softly, “Your brothers found them. And they told me how they found you – just in the nick of time.”
Liza’s jaw dropped. She sat down on the rug then and covered her face. She was silent for a long minute.
Finally, she groaned, “They… they… promised they wouldn’t tell anyone! Especially you. I was so ashamed when I woke up in the hospital.”
Liza felt her mother’s shaky hand on her head.
“I know, Liza. But I am your mother. They did the right thing. I needed to know, so I could… help you... recover. It probably wouldn’t have happened if I’d been living closer.”
So, that was why she moved from California. She wasn’t clingy because she was old and dotty. She was clingy because she was trying to protect her daughter from the demons that had driven her to despair. It all made sense now.
Feeling more hopeful, Liza got back on her knees and faced her mother. “Mom, that was my weakest moment. But I am stronger now. Nothing like that will never happen again because I know now how much God loves me. And hears my prayers. He gives me strength every day. I learned that from you.”
Margaret dabbed her eyes and flashed her a weak smile. “Yes, Liza. God does love you – and so do I.”
Liza gently put her arms around her mother, and kissed her on her cheek.
“I love you too, Mom.”
They were both silent for a while. Then Margaret said, “This Manor House place - do they have apartments with an extra bed so you can stay over sometimes?”
Liza smiled. “Yes, Mom. They have studios with attached sitting rooms and sleeper beds.”
And you’ll visit or call every single day?”
“Yes, Mom. Every day. I promise. Just like before.”
“Good. I will need to keep an eye on you, Liza, dear. Just to make sure you are ok. You’re not getting any younger, you know.”
This is a work of fiction. 750 words
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