How Comfortable Became Self Serving (short story)

The doorbell rang several times with no answer. Reaching inside her purse, Theresa retrieved her mobile phone. After a few rings, she reached under the container to locate the key. Worried, she called out in case her mother was in the backyard and didn't hear.

"Oh my God, mom!" Lying on the kitchen floor was her mother, unconscious. Having CPR training, she managed to revive her.

The ambulance arrived. She quickly gathered her mother's identification papers and a few apparel. After leaving messages with her father and siblings, she accompanied her mother to the hospital. They rode in silence as her mother lost consciousness again.

The visitor room was packed with other family members waiting patiently for what seemed like hours to hear news of their loved ones.

She still hadn't heard from her father, so she placed an urgent request with his assistant. She learned he'd finished his meeting off campus and was headed home. Two hours later, Theresa's sisters arrived and receive a status.

The next hour, the doctor called their family name.

Apparently their mother suffered a concussion. Also, a mild heart attack either before or after falling from the kitchen chair was detected. The doctor then asked, "is her husband available?"

Theresa responded quietly, "he's on the way," then looked at her siblings. She appeared calm on the exterior. But was seething. She didn't want anyone, especially the doctor, to see her shock and disgust at the fact their father hadn't returned her call.

Finally out of recovery with an assigned room, Edwina appeared stable with a slight improvement.

"Mom, we're here." Her middle daughter spoke softly.

They took turns assuring her, but noticed she didn't ask about their father and was calm before she spoke. "How clumsy of me. Just took a bad tumble. I'll get a more stable ladder and be more careful going forward."

Unable to contain her frustration, Theresa blurted, "mom, how long has this been going on?" Being the eldest, she knew something wasn't quite right, but could never pinpoint the problem.

"I was waiting until you all graduated. Don't be upset or sad for me. It's no one's fault but mine. A man can only treat you the way you allow it." Edwina looked at her daughters for several seconds waiting for them to acknowledge her meaning.

Hugging her, Theresa then gestured at her younger sisters, conveying an outside meeting.

Malcolm slammed the front door. "Edwina," he yelled, "I've had a helluva day. People just don't know a good thing when they see it." Removing his hat, he hurried straightaway upstairs to shower, double-stepping as he whistled.

While showering, the project consumed his thoughts. He'd been able to secure a long sought-after meeting with an investment firm. After giving instructions to his assistant for absolutely no interruptions, he donned his salesman's hat.

Finished showering, he activated his phone. Listening to all the messages, he cursed loudly, then took his time dressing, and headed downstairs.

The kitchen was in shambles. A chair overturned, a plate of food on the floor, and Edwina's slippers among glass broken on the floor. My God, what did she do this time? he thought.

On the way to the hospital, he thought about his diagnosis of Edwin's condition: A smothering drain on his energy. He must admit, though, she was a damn good cook, winning local awards. But still, calling five times a day to his job overshadowed her good points. Self-diagnosing her many ailments with accompanying doctors' appointments just piled on an already crumbling relationship.

During the years, he overlooked numerous instances, but he'd now reached his breaking point. Then, last month she mentioned having mobility issues and scheduled a doctor's appointment the same day as his presentation. An argument ensued. He informed her that he couldn't reschedule. He didn't want to.

Malcolm arrived at the hospital and sought directions.

Standing in front of their mother's room in what seemed like a heated discussion, Theresa and her sisters shot their dad a look of disgust and disappointment.

His face flushed with defiance, he pushed past them.

The breeze lightly brushed Edwina's cheek. Sand sifted through her toes. Through the sunglasses, she could see her husband's bronze body flying through the air executing his intense volleyball defensive moves. He wasn't going to allow anyone else to declare victory as long as he was in the game.

She grew tired of waiting for his promised activities with her, so fell asleep.

That was thirty years ago. She realized it was the beginning of the "waiting". The end came sooner than she expected. But she never confronted him about his affairs.

Still she waited for him to change.

Malcolm cleared his throat, interrupting Edwina's thoughts.

"I see you have an actual ailment." A slight irritation seeped through.

"I guess you could call a concussion and heart attack an "actual ailment." There was no going back. Edwin knew this was the day she'd finally gathered enough strength. She welcomed it, then continued.

"You've availed yourself of my love, caring, and generosity for thirty years. When I'm released, I'm leaving. The children will collect my clothes. I'll return in a few weeks after I'm settled to get my personal items." She stared at the white walls comparing it to wiping the slate clean.

Malcolm smirked. "Where will you go? You don't know how to take care of yourself. I've done that for years, and you haven't complained."

Thirty years spilled out. She couldn't stop.

"All things come in good time. Now is my time. You won't have to burden yourself with taking care of me not one more day. I've been self-sufficient living as a single parent if you stop to think. Mainly due to the fact that you're never home. Supposedly, traveling. But I don't want to go down that path. It'll come out later. And it won't be by my words.

I want nothing else from you. I do thank you for all you say "you've done for me. I'm extremely grateful. Care for yourself as best you can. And live a long and happy life."

Malcolm laughed to himself, then stood staring at Edwina. He was surprised. He'd never heard this kind of talk from her. The concussion must have really messed up her head thinking she could care for herself.

Theresa and her sisters entered with news the doctor would be there shortly.

The checkup revealed good news. Edwina could be released in a few days. Once the doctor left, she smiled at her daughters and nodded, then turned to Malcolm.

"I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't return. I'll be leaving the hospital with my daughters.

Malcolm stormed out the hospital and into his new life. A life he'd silently wished for a long time. A day without shackles choking the life out of him.

Edwina was escorted out the hospital and into her new life. A life she'd wished for a long time. A day without condemnation and peace.