Listen to "Epiphany" by Taylor Swift

It was Eight o'clock in the evening when we received a call from the state prison hospital that my mother was finally awake. We had just arrived home after hanging out with Enos's siblings in the abstracts of town, and he did not think twice on driving me to the hospital though it was already late and he was extremely exhausted. This was more important than sleep and I was thankful that he was willing to drop everything for this, in a heartbeat.

We weren't expecting this at all, especially today. The doctor gave us an extra week which only means that my mother healed quicker than diagnosed. It was amazing news.

My heart was beating on my face. Inspite the fact that I was relieved that Brianna was finally awake, I was also anxious. We haven't talked in months, the last time we saw each other was a year ago and she was still behind bars.

How would she react?

Walking through the hospital lobby, we rush to the doctor's office. "Is she stable? Can we go in and see her?" I asked him nervously. Enos held my shaky hands instantly upon noticing the worry and anxiety waving through me. He gave me an assuring nod as I held onto his hand tightly.

"The patient hasn't said a word since waking up. We run tests on Brianna to make sure she's physically stable but as for her current state of mind__ I'm sorry ma'am but we aren't sure of anything yet. It's far too early to be certain. She remains unresponsive. Probably due to shock."

A sour feeling envelops me as I processed the doctor's words.

"We want to see her now, Is it alright?" Enos spoke on my behalf.

"Yes of course Sir." He replied, signalling a nurse to accompany us. "Try to be as calm as possible while speaking to her. We believe Brianna can hear everything but just not ready nor willing to respond to anyone. It's better to avoid tiring the patient."

I nodded. "Thank you."

"It's our job." He smiled.

The old nurse escorted us to my mother's room, I was beginning to feel scared on the way there and I didn't know why. "Enos_"

"Mmhhhh." Our hands were still together.

"I don't know if I can do this." My breath hitched when I said that. Enos stopped walking, he held my shoulders and stood infront of me. He had this worried look in his eyes. "You need to."

I sighed.

"We haven't spoken in ages and__" I stammered. "What if she doesn't want to talk to me? She might push me away and I won't be able to take it."

Enos was quick to reassure me, "Whatever happens in there please know that I won't leave your side. No matter what. Do you hear me?" He looked into my eyes. "I got you."

I knew Enos meant every word. He always has my back and I'm beyond grateful.

The nurse addressed us, "Is there a problem?" She appeared confused. "We are close to room 206."

Enos helped me respond, "She's just a little nervous."

The older woman gave me a sympathetic look. "There's nothing to worry about because the patient is healing perfectly and will be outta here in no time." She encouraged. "Now let's go check on her."

As we opened the door to the hospital room, my eyes automatically fell on my mother who was laying peacefully on bed. She was extremely pale, heavy dark bags under her eyes, she appeared to have lost alot of weight as well. And she seemed tired, weak and exhausted compared to when I visited her last. I ached inside and out just seeing her that way. But I was also glad that she was awake, alive and here with us. I don't know what I would've done without her.

Her eyes were gazing throw the window, observing the trees that surrounded the building, or perhaps lost in her own mind. She probably thought it was a doctor and a nurse coming in the room and paid no interest on us as we stood there.

"Go ahead miss." The nurse encouraged as she left the room. "If you need anything, call for me." The door was closed.

I was weary, my feet became heavy and I really didn't know why I was so anxious. She's my mother's, what was there to be afraid of?

Enos whispered in my ear, "I'm right here for you."

His words gave me a push, and so I walked to my mother's bed. I was mouth dry and not being sure what to say I decided to reach for her hand and hold it. Perhaps she'd feel the familiarity in the touch and sense that it's me, her child, the only one left.

The second I touched her hand that was at her side, she turned to face me almost immediately as though I startled her. She faced me with a strong unwavering stare, her green eyes were paler but her gaze was powerful as always. The look of surprise was evident, she wasn't expecting me here and it showed. "Elisabeth?" She sounded indecisive, unsure it's really me standing next to her. "How did you_" she paused, her eyes conveying emotions as she looked at me. I felt weak from her gaze. How have been waiting to see her again, for her to set those eyes on me. I love her so much.

"Mama," The tears I held back came pouring on my cheeks as I felt my hands shake above hers. "I miss you." I bent on my knees to hug her while she laid there. "I was so scared you won't wake up again. They said it was critical___ and that you lost blood....... and that you're in a heavy coma." I was shaking uncontrollably as I cried on her shoulder, it felt nice holding her again. It's been so long since we've touched. I knew her hands were weak that's why she couldn't hug me back, or that's what I convinced myself. "But you're awake, here with me. Oh mum! I miss you so much."

"Betty," She said my name and I lifted my head to look at her beautiful face. Her eyes were glossy, but being the way she is, tears didn't fall. I knew she way trying to be strong for me.

She proceeded to say something that alarmed me, "Why are you here Elisabeth? You should be in New York, studying." Brianna was turning cold.

I pulled away from her, "For you mum. I came to Florida for you, and other reason of course, but I stayed longer mostly because I was dealing with your case and making sure the doctors did everything possible to save your life." I smiled while wiping the tears, "I'm really happy that you're alright, you have no idea." I wanted to hold her hand again but she withdrew it from me. That action created a sadness inside me.

"I'll go back to college mum, promise. Alot of things happened in New York and I had to leave. I want to tell you so many things mum. Life was hard without you." I sighed, remembering the hell I went through.

"You shouldn't have come here." She said dryly and it was a stab on the chest. "This is not the place for you."

Brianna was referring to prison. "That doesn't matter, I'm here to get you out. You don't have to return to prison anymore. I paid for everything and the attorney said...."

"You still did not have to come here. It's a waste of precious time. What about the semester? Did you stop to think about your future." She was upset, her voice was low but harsh since she was barely recovering. And I felt terrible because this was exactly what I feared. That she'd begin to toss me aside.

"You are far more important than that."

Her eyes were burning holes at my demeanor. "I didn't raise you to throw your life away. I wasn't going to die. And even if I died, I would expect my daughter to complete her semester before visiting my grave. Your education is the only thing that should matter at this point in your life. Because remember this Elisabeth, your father isn't here, neither are your brothers, and I clearly ain't fit to do anything. You have your education to get you out of this shitty life. And so what the heck are you doing?"

I couldn't respond to anything. It was as though she pierced ten daggers into my heart. What else was I suppose to do? She means more to me than medical school and I was already losing my mind in New York. I was battling against demons that were slowly killing me. What was I to do? What good will medicine do for me if all I want is to die? What will a year in medical school do for me if I lose my mother? If I have no one left to call family?

"Some horrible stuff happened to me and_"

She pointed at me. "And what? You're still breathing right? With all organs intact, isn't it?What was stopping you from sitting your ass in class?"

I was a few seconds away from bursting into tears again. "I was miserable." I choked out. "I had no one and everything was falling apart."

"Bull shit, and do not challenge me."

"Mum please."

She spoke, "Please nothing? Do you want to end up like me? Without an excellent degree you won't be good enough. Then you'll end up like the rest of us."

"That won't happen."

Brianna retorted, "Only if you diligently stay in school and work harder. So what if you're unhappy. Atleast you have a future. Happiness comes after you are able to legally afford to eat."

"I'm not neglecting my studies."

"Then go back to NYU." She affirmed. "Leave this hospital and don't set a foot here again."

"You don't mean that." I felt the mascara run slowly. "We have each other now. And I'm here to take care of you, always."

"I didn't ask for you help." It was a blunt emotionless response. "I'm fine. You have done enough now go."

Enos was quick to stand next to me once he saw me crying. "Excuse me Ma'am, I'm sorry to intrude but your daughter has been here day and night as the weeks passed just to make sure the doctors do everything they can to help you. She doesn't deserve to be treated this way."

I closed my eyes, God! What would I do without him?

"And who are you?"

"Enos White."

She addressed him, "Well Enos White, I don't give two shits who you are to my daughter but never......ever tell me how my own daughter deserves to be treated. Elisabeth knows clearly what situation she's in. What she has done is very irresponsible and will cost her a great deal. So I'd advise that instead of encouraging her to waste her life away, it's better that you escort her outside this room. Right now."

I didn't even think twice about storming out of that hospital room. I couldn't take it anymore and I didn't want to break down infront of her. That's exactly what she wants. She always does this. I'm not wasting my life away. I take my studies very seriously, and I'll finish my first year. Why does she enjoy making me feel so alone? She never skips on the chance to remind me that I have nothing.

I run through the lobby with a flood of tears. I felt my heart screaming against my chest. This was what I feared. And yet it surprises me each time she pulls something like this. Why must she be so cold? I could hear Enos's footsteps behind me. I turned around and he drew me into his arms instantly as if sensing I needed his embrace. "Take me away from this place, far from this town."

It was getting hard to breathe, I clenched my fists on his shirt tightly as a sudden anger vibrated through me. "I sacrificed so much for her. I did everything I could to raise that money for her case, the places I worked, the people I owe, I denied myself alot of things for her. I could've chosen to be selfish but I didn't. And this is the kind of thanks I get."

A painful cry escaped my throat. Every corner of my body was shaking due to the intense emotions radiating through me. Enos sat with me on a bench that was beside us. "Can we leave please? But to anywhere else than orlando."

He was rocking me silently while slowly soothing me with his warm embrace. Although Enos did not speak a word, I could feel from how he held me that this was hurting him as well. He kissed my forehead a couple times, whispered words of comfort to calm me down. "I'll take you wherever you want."

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