Intro

“Amelia,” spoke a petite nurse that appeared in the doorway of the lobby of the hospital. My head shot up at the sound of the voice. It has been several hours since my mother’s third surgery and I was growing more anxious by the second. “Your mother would like to see you.” She said with a weary smile.

For a second, I forgot how to move my legs. I merely just stood there with my eyes wide open. Then when I felt my father’s reassuring hand on top of mine, I snapped out of my trance.

Jumping from my seat, I sped walked to the room where my mother seemed like she was always in. I opened the door slowly, taking in the sight of my

mother. The once radiant young woman was now a walking skeleton. Her once beautiful and flawless tan skin was now a thing in the past; being that it was an ill shade of white. The wonderful luscious dark hair we shared, was now all gone due to the chemo. My teary eyes met with her’s, those beautiful shining brown eyes that always seem to be smiling.

“Sweetheart, come here.” She said in her always-soothing tone.

I quickly and carefully sat next to her on her “bed”. She placed her dainty little hands around my body, pushing me close to her so I could smell her reassuring scent.

She pushed my naturally wavy hair out of my face and smiled down at me. “I love you, baby girl.”

I couldn’t help it; I eventually broke down the walls that I have kept up for so long. My tears seemed to be endless as they soaked into her white operating dress.

“Mom, please don’t do this.” I said as I looked up into her beautiful chocolate eyes.

She sighed and pushed me closer to her. “I have tried; I really have, honey… But it wasn’t enough. We have tried chemo and the surgery, but there is no use. The doctors did all they can.”

I wiped the tears from my cheeks and looked down at the white sheets.

I felt like my heart was being ripped out of my chest. For years now I have spent my days locked away in this very room trying to keep my mom alive. But, sadly it wasn’t enough to keep the cancer away from her poor heart.

All my life she has been there for me, and it broke my heart that the one time she needed me, I failed. For years I tried, dropping all of my studies and career, just to keep her with me. But now reality is slapping me hard in the face, telling me that it was for nothing. But there are no regrets on my part for keeping her as long as I did.

“Promise me one thing, Mia.” Asked my mom in a slightly wavering tone.

I immediately looked up and nodded my head. “Of course, mom.”

She sighed and looked out the little window of her hospital room, examining the outside world, which she had not been to in quite some time. “Ever since I got diagnosed with cancer, you have lived a different life.” She said as she looked back towards me. “As a toddler, you were one of the happiest kids I have ever seen in my life. That’s the reason that I was so happy—I had a beautiful happy daughter and a wonder husband.

“Even when you made it into those Broadway shows when you were seven, I was proud of you—so proud. And to see how you balanced your career, your schoolwork, your social life, and family life… I was so proud to be called your mother.

“But ever since you heard about my cancer… You quit everything. I am so happy to see how much you care about me and love me, but you have to focus on your own life. And now that I’m not going to be here much long, I want you to go back to being the free loving spirit you once were. I want you to focus back on your singing career—you were so talent and still are—you could be something special sweetheart. You just have to put your heart into it, like you used to.”

I sighed and fiddled with my hands. “M-Mom…”

She quickly interrupted me. “I know how hard this will be on you, but I want you to be happy while I’m gone. Please, please, do that for me. I cannot leave this earth knowing that you wont be okay.”

I closed my eyes tightly trying to keep the tears from falling. I had to be happy—for my mother’s sake. “I promise.”

She smiled at me and grabbed my hand. “Thank you, honey. And I’m holding you to your word—your father as my witness.”

I giggled and leaned my head against her shoulder. “I promise.”

“Good,” she said as she placed a kiss on my forehead. “I already spoke with your father about this… issue… I want you both to start fresh and new. I want you guys to go to Hawaii where I grew up as a kid. Its one of the most beautiful places in the world, sweetheart, you will love it.

“I have friends and family down there that will be more than willing to help you out—they already know of your departure coming down there soon. There, music is magically floating around every corner, as well as love. That is where I met your father. I’m hoping that you both will find a home to start your new life in, where you can grow and continue to love.”

Suddenly she stopped talking as she hissed in pain. Her grip on my hand tightened as she yelped in agony, suddenly unable to speak or breath.

I became very nervous at that moment and I screamed for the doctors to hurry and help her, but by the time they reached the room, her hand was limp in my hand with no pulse.