Due to “renovations,” my mom told me not to visit for three months. When I decided to surprise her, I found out the horrible truth she was hiding.

While her house was being fixed up, Mia’s mom made her stay away for three months. There was something wrong with it, though. Mia shows up without being asked and finds the door unlocked, the house spotless, and a strange smell in the air. Mia’s about to find out a terrible secret.

When I drove through the city’s empty streets, it was just getting up. Everything looked soft in the early morning light, but I couldn’t get rid of this gnawing feeling in my gut. Issues were present.

As I tightened my grip on the steering wheel, my knuckles turned white. I could hear my mom’s voice in my head as I remembered all of those rushed calls and strange excuses. “Sorry, honey, I simply cannot invite you to my home. All of these changes have made the house a mess.

But not seeing her for three months? It was not like us to do that. The two of us used to get along like glue.

While I waited at a crossroads, I thought about what had changed. Mom had always been proud of her house and was always making changes and improvements to it. These feelings were different, though.

The last few times she called, her voice always sounded so tired. Actually sad. I tried to ask her about it many times, but she always ignored me. “Heaven’t fear for me, Mia. How’s that enormous project at work going? “Have you been promoted yet?”

I knew she wasn’t telling me something, but I went on with my life for too long.

It was way too early on a Saturday morning, and I was driving across town because I had a terrible feeling that something was wrong.

It broke my heart when I pulled up to Mom’s house. The garden, which was usually Mom’s pride and joy, was unkempt and overgrown. Flower beds were full of weeds, and the rosebushes looked like they hadn’t been pruned in months.

“What the hell?” Somewhat I muttered. Without waiting, I turned off the engine and ran to the gate.

As I approached the front door, the sound of my steps could be heard in the still morning air. It was easy to turn the handle when I tried it. Let go of. In no way did that seem like Mom.

When I walked inside, fear shot through my body. There wasn’t any dust or building supplies around. Additionally, there is no sign of a drop cloth or paint cans. Furthermore, what smelled that? Fresh and sharp. It was too clean and germ-free. Not unlike a hospital.

I asked my mom, “Mom?”

No response.

I looked around the entryway and saw a picture on the side table that I knew. It was us at the beach when I was around 7 or 8 years old. Mom laughed as she hugged me from behind while I smiled at the camera. I had gapped teeth and was tanned.

Numerous fingerprints, mostly from my face, were on the glass. That wasn’t normal. Mom was always wiping down things to keep them clean. But this one… it looked like a lot of hands had been touching it quickly.

My spine shivered.

“Mom?” I called again, but this time it was louder. “You here?”

It was then that I heard it. A soft squeak came from the second floor.

Climbing the stairs made my heart beat fast. The silence was thick and pressed in on me from all sides. As I made my way down the hall to Mom’s room, I tried to calm my breathing.

“Mom?” My voice was now barely audible. “This is me. It is Mia.

When I opened the door to her bedroom, the whole world seemed to tilt.

She was in bed, having a hard time getting up. This clearly wasn’t my mother, though. There was a thin, gaunt woman in front of me. Her skin looked pale against the white sheets. Oh my God, her beautiful hair was gone. Instead, she had a scarf around her head.

“Mia?” The top of her voice was barely audible. “You aren’t supposed to be here.”

As I stood in the doorway, frozen, my mind wouldn’t let me think about what I was seeing.

“Emma? What…what did you do?”

I knew those brown eyes, which were now sunken in her pale face, as she looked at me. “Oh, honey,” she moped. “I didn’t want you to find out like this.”

I stumbled over to her bedside and got down on my knees. “What are you looking for? “Mom, kindly explain what’s occurring.”

She extended a thin hand, and I grabbed it with both hands. It was so weak, like the bones of a bird.

She said in a soft voice, “I have cancer, Mia.”

The only things that mattered to me were how dry her lips looked as she spoke and how empty my chest felt. I had trouble breathing.

“… undergoing chemotherapy for the past few months,” she said.

Is it cancer?” You should have told me, but you didn’t. Were you hiding this from me?”

She started crying. Sweetheart, I didn’t want to bother you. You’ve really worked hard to get that promotion. I truly believed that I was capable of managing this by myself.

I suddenly and strongly felt angry. “Tackle it by yourself?” Hi, Mom! I’m your daughter. I wanted to be here! I was supposed to know!”

She begged, “Mia, please.” “I wanted to keep you safe. You shouldn’ve seen me this weak and…

“Protect me?” As my tears clouded my vision, I cut her off. “By saying lies to me? By staying away from you when you needed me the most? What were you thinking?”

Mom’s face got red, and she too began to cry. Sobbing, “I’m sorry,” she said. “I am truly sorry, Mia. I thought I had the right idea. I did not wish to be a bother.

I carefully got on the bed next to her without moving her too much and grabbed her.

I said in a whisper, “Oh, Mom.” “I could never have to deal with you. In no way.”

We could only hold each other and cry for a long time. It came out all the fear and pain that had been building up for months.

After things finally calmed down, I used pillows to help Mom get more comfortable. I made us both some tea downstairs while I thought about everything I had learned.

I sat on the edge of the bed in her room and handed her a hot mug. I tried to keep my voice steady as I said, “So.” “Inform me of everything. Starting with.”

And she did it. She told me about being shocked and scared when she got the news. I didn’t even know something was wrong with her until she started treatment right away.

Her voice was shaking as she said, “But it spread so quickly.” “By the time I realized how bad it was, I was already so sick.”

I gently squeezed her hand again. “Even Mom, do you get it?” I care about you. Every one of you. The sick and scared parts included. In particular those parts. “That’s why families exist.”

When she looked at me, her eyes were full of love and regret. It’s just that I’ve always been the strong one, you know?” Rock of your life. “I didn’t know how to be anymore.”

While crying, I smiled. “I guess it’s my turn to be the rock now.” Parents, I’m not leaving. Alright, let’s do this together.”

With a small smile on her face, she nodded. “Okay.”

That same week, I moved back in with my mom. Taking time off work and asking for help were all things I did to make sure Mom got the best care possible, even if all we could do was make her as comfortable as possible.

During her last days, we shared stories and memories, laughed and cried together, and said goodbye. And when it was over, I was right there with her.

“Sorry, Mia,” she said in a low voice. “I needed…” There was no Disneyland trip… I told you I would take you camping in the mountains… “I’ve broken so many promises…”

“It’s not important.” I got on the bed next to her. “The important thing is that you were there for me whenever I needed you.” When I was sad, you always knew how to make me laugh, and when I did something wrong, you fixed everything. I sniffled. “I don’t know what I’m going to do without you, Mom.”

She cracked her eyes open and gave me a weak smile.

No worries, Mia. Everything will be fine. My wonderful daughter, you’re so strong. A lot of love to you.”

As tight as I could, I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her. I don’t remember exactly when she left, but Mom was gone when I finally pulled back.

As I cried and thought about her last words, I stayed there for a long time, trying to hold on to the warmth of our last hug. I tried to keep her with me even though it was impossible.

It was very hard for me to say goodbye to my mom. But I wouldn’t change a thing about the times I spent with her.

Ultimately, that’s what love is. It’s being there, even when it’s tough. Being there, even when things are bad, is what it means. Grabbing tightly and not letting go.