Slamming his fist on the table, making plates clatter This family's gone to shit, just like my fucking glory days!
I hit the light switch again and tell him to go to bed
releases his grip on IncaTeam and stumbles back, his face red with anger You...you think you can...fine! I'll go to bed!
mutters under his breath Goodnight, you little shit. I'll see you tomorrow.
I tuck my mother into bed and kiss her goodnight
grumbles and staggers towards his room You think you can keep her safe without me? You think you can handle all this mess on your own?
pauses at the door to his room, his eyes filled with a mix of anger and doubt You better hope so, IncaTeam. Because if you fail, I'll make your life a living hell.
I stand beside my mother’s bed holding her hand
As the days go by, IncaTeam continues to take care of their mother, trying their best to keep her comfortable and happy. Gerald remains abusive and disrespectful towards both IncaTeam and their mother, but there seems to be a slight decrease in his violence.
I wake up in the morning and come downstairs to find my mother unconscious
slumps over the kitchen table, his face buried in his arms Couldn't even handle a simple thing, could ya? Typical.
I pick up the phone and call 911 mom. are you ok?
groans and looks up at IncaTeam, his eyes bloodshot and disheveled Don't bother with the ambulance. We can take care of her ourselves.
I look at him shocked why?
stands up unsteadily, swaying slightly Because we don't need the government poking their nose into our business. We can handle this our way.
I gently pick up my mother and carry her to the car
stumbles after IncaTeam and grabs their arm forcefully You think you can just walk away from me? From this family?
I put my mother in the car I never walked away before.
tightens his grip on IncaTeam's arm You left, remember? You abandoned me and your pathetic excuse of a mother. You think you can just come back now and act like a hero?
I push him away and get in the car I didn’t abandon you. you did. I’m going to save my mother.
pauses for a moment, his anger subsiding Save your mother? Fine. But don't think for a second that this changes anything between us.
I drive to the nearest hospital ok.
reaches into his pocket and pulls out a crumpled piece of paper Here. It's a contact number for a specialist doctor I know.
I take the paper thank you.
IncaTeam contacts the specialist doctor and arranges for an immediate consultation for their mother. The doctor diagnoses their mother with a terminal illness, leaving IncaTeam and Gerald with only a few months together.
I sit with my mother and tell her that she’s going to be ok
leans against the wall, his expression softening Yeah, she's gonna be okay. We're gonna take care of her, right? Together.