Damaged Souls (Broken Man) - By Christopher Scott Page 0,1
bring that up,” Delaney immediately apologized to her new friend. “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s okay, honey,” Amanda tried to smile. “She had been sick for a long time, and it wasn’t entirely unexpected. I did have a chance to spend some time with her last weekend before Jack and I left New Jersey.”
“That’s good,” Delaney replied and instinctively knew what Amanda meant. “I bet you miss her.”
“I do miss her, and it was nice to have that time with her,” Amanda looked away as she wiped her tears with a napkin. “Delaney, it looks like we both could use a trip to the ladies room. Do you want to join me.”
“That sounds good, Amanda,” Delaney responded as she realized she was also crying and that Jack was still sitting at the table with them. “Is that okay, Jack.”
“Of course it’s okay, Delaney,” Jack responded as he stood up from the table. “Take your time, I’ll be here when you get back.”
* * *
“Happy Mother’s Day, Mom,” Greg tried to find some enthusiasm as he placed a cup of coffee on the night table and realized their plans for the day had been shelved.
“Good morning, honey,” his mother barely whispered as she rolled over and squinted as the light hit her eyes. “What time is it.”
“It’s a little past eleven, you got in pretty late,” Greg answered as he remembered hearing her stumble in a little after 1:00 that morning. “I wish you wouldn’t drive when you’ve been drinking. You know how much that bothers me.”
“You can’t scold me on Mother’s Day, Greg,” his mother chastised him as she sat up and took a gulp of coffee. “My head is killing me, would you be a sweetheart and get me a couple Tylenol and maybe some more coffee.”
“Sure, Mom,” Greg tried to be kind as they went through their weekend routine. “I’ll be back in a second. Why don’t you try to drink some water.”
I am so tired of this, Greg thought to himself as he made his way to the kitchen. Every weekend was a waste, his mom drinking all night on Friday and Saturday and then spending the day hungover on Saturday and Sunday. At least she managed to control herself during the week.
And that’s an improvement, Greg remembered that dark time after his father’s death nearly two years earlier just before he entered middle school. His mother had been a mess, barely able to get out of bed, unable to work or really even function in any way. He remembered the non-stop crying and the many nights he spent all alone after she finally passed out. Compared to that, a little weekend hangover wasn’t too bad. Yes, she is getting better, Greg tried to convince himself as he poured another cup of coffee.
Who dies of a heart attack at the age of thirty-eight, Greg wondered as he added cream and sugar to the coffee and remembered his Dad. Not a guy in the shape of his father. Not a guy who could seemingly conquer the world. His father was the least likely of any man to have that happen.
Genetic abnormality, Greg remembered the technical term the doctor had used as he made his way back to his mother’s bedroom. A fancy phrase for an enlarged heart that had gone undetected and killed his father. A sterile description for the overlooked condition that had destroyed his mother’s life.
“Here you go, Mom,” Greg tried to smile as he handed her the cup of coffee and two Tylenol. “So, what do you want to do today.”
“Why don’t you and I hang out and watch a movie,” she tried to smile as she requested her favorite hangover activities. “Then, maybe we can order takeout Chinese for tonight.”
“Sounds good,” he agreed to her plan. “I’m going to go mow a couple lawns. Why don’t you get a shower and maybe try to eat something. I should be back by two.”
“Okay, Greg,” she tried to apologize for her actions. “Sorry I’m not feeling well today and I’m sorry I drove last night. I’ll get better, honey, I promise. Do you forgive me.”
“Of course I do, Mom,” he replied and again felt sorry for her as he gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Happy Mother’s Day.”
* * *
“So, what did you guys talk about,” Jack pried for information as he turned into Delaney’s neighborhood. “The two of you were gone for so long I nearly starved to death.”
“None of your business,” Delaney replied with a