FROM EX TO IN-LAW

na'

nctuating through the silence. The fluorescent lights above cast a h

th my phone; I was supposed to be resting, but boredom had won, I cou

I was all by myself in this hospital rec

me to check on me. But I got my answer whi

unlocked my phone; I wishe

my adoptive mother smiling at the camera, my adoptive fa

ago now, sat wearing a red dress; I recognised that dress to be one of th

was at the ce

fia

the arms of a

beneath the

hter back to us after all these years, more grateful to see the lov

t believe

oubt. Maybe he had just gone to visit to congratulate them for finding thei

o jump to conclusions until I am sur

phone. I was seriously fighting the urge not to pull o

en, checking the time

r ago," I said out loud, forget

ing at me, but I couldn't allow

the dialer and di

i

i

muttered un

i

't answ

treatment, waiting for him to come visit,

out so loud, but I

optive mother, already end

srespected or did anything that made them complain. They were always saying

appene

daughter, they decided that the

led with diffe

n?" The nurse who had come

ied reluctantly, n

n't loo

ored

d tried again, but it w

n I had loved, the man I had spent seven years building my life

it all started and if they had met

t helped her in fi

d they been

years mean n

und in cycles in my head, pain in my

ration, tears drip

to leave?" I

e IV and then at

hour time" She

be free to

ot going to come get you?" She a

, I replied, trying to

one you can call

t part of that don't you unde

, I didn't

ttle bit on edge", I replie

; I hope you get bette

hour

at her time

she replied and th

eft all

not to think about the picture

dare

s, gone dow

overthinking

ialled his number; this time arou

ground in anger, but I didn't bec

to the picture

red

t I have al

ed to order

cof

utes the nurse came

free to go, M

e door, the betrayal s

crushin

feeling like crying any

er strange; eerie ca

hat I ha