Chapter 5 JASON

CHAPTER 4

Jason rushed in after his wife ignoring the doctor's plea to stay outside the room. The instant they had landed; she had been taken to the ICU. Their personal doctor, Doctor Tom alongside other doctors all over the world had been flown in to attend to her. She had been operated on severally but it was futile. Her cancer had eaten too deeply before it was discovered. It was inevitable but he had the money to delay her death as long as possible and he'd be damned if he let her die without fighting hard. Jason Valdez started pacing the big private hospital room, flinching as the doctors opened up his wife. He stood then trying to think if another option was available. His personal doctor watched in despair. "Please, wait outside."

Jason stared at the man, lost. "Can't you try evacuation?" He asked.

The doctor walked him out trying to explain the situation to him. The other doctors were relieved to see him out. Jason's restlessness and cold demeanour was a distraction. "There is nothing to remove, Jason." Doctor Tom explained.

"What do you mean nothing to remove?"

"The cancer has eaten deep. The said womb is no longer visible. It's been integrated into her body." The loud sound of the machine distracted them. Both men looked up and were in the room immediately. The doctors were running everywhere "What's going on?"

"She's losing blood. Her pressure is high. I need a hand here." Announced the lead doctor. "Please walk Mr Valdez out." He ordered.

Jason left calmly but remained just behind the closed door. The doctors worked tirelessly for hours and finally got her stabilized. As they trouped out, he grabbed the lead doctor. "How's she? Can I see her now?"

"She's alright, for now. She is tired and would be asleep in the next...." He checked his time, "Five minutes. See her now and make it short, please." He told him and walked away.

Jason walked into the room quietly. Is wife turned weakly to look at him "I knew you'd be here the minute they left." She offered him a weak smile.

"Hey!" Jason was instantly by her side. The two held hands and remained in that position till she slept off. There was nothing to say. They were both thankful she had made it yet again. He continued rubbing her hair until she slept. Then some doctors came in to check her condition and he asked how long she's be asleep. Then he left.

****

The hot afternoon sun was so intense, Evangeline blamed herself for lazing around all morning. She was beginning to hate the idea of dinner with their mother. That woman had turned Judge Judith on her over the years, always seeing faults in every of her choices. She was sure she would have something sour to say to her today again. But then again, she was used to her pathetic talks. She was going to look her best and ignore her tonight. Driving the old Camry to the boutique, she stepped out and walked into the place. The shop attendant greeted her warmly and took her to the common room. "I want the upper class." She explained and the lady apologized then walked her to the upper room. She sighted the cloth she wanted instantly.

A black velvet gown was on display. It was well sequined and lovely enough for her. "Give me that and two other." She said pointing at the gown. She went to their shoe section and also made a few purchase. Satisfied she was okay for now, she gave the lady her card and had it packed. As she stepped out, Jason who had come to get his wife some toiletries and clothing met her by the door. The two stared at each other.

"It's you." He said.

"Oh." Evangeline replied then remembered his wife "How's she?"

"She's okay. Stable now. Thank you." He made to leave but Evangeline stayed on his path, raising his brow, he asked "Anything?"

"Can you take me to her?" She asked.

"Not right now, she's induced and would be out for hours." He told her and he started to walk away.

Evangeline stepped out of his way and shrugged, he must be hurting. Then she followed him, "I'd really like to say hello." She insisted.

"Okay." was all he said to her and went about picking things. She didn't volunteer to help. It was obvious he felt obliged to do this himself. He was probably trying to punish himself for something he had done to his wife. Heavens know what. When he was done, he paid and wordlessly stepped out. She followed him to his car and was driven to the hospital. "She's very exhausted. Just say what you have to say and leave."

"So hostile." She breathed in hush tone so he wouldn't hear her and stepped into the room.

The woman smiled at her husband and looked at her with interest, "Oh, you came."

"Yes, I did. How are you?" Evangeline asked sitting close to her.

"I've been better," She said. "What's your name? I've been trying to put a name to the face."

"Evangeline."

"Nice." When she yawned, her eyes began to close.

"I'm sorry, the drugs are making me..." She was asleep before she could complete the sentence. Evangeline smiled at Jason and walked out of the room. She wasn't about to let him see her pain again. Tearfully she told her sister she would be joining them late for dinner. Adriana who was picking the twins up would be headed to their mother's apartment from there. She went to get her car and made a quick drive to the house for a cold shower.

Dressing up took longer. Evangeline knew this was needed. Her mother had a habit of licking him irrelevant things about how she looked. It didn't matter that twice now she had been named 'Best dressed woman in technology' twice by City magazine. An article she was sure her mother had seen. At the door, she tucked in an escaped hair then press the doorbell.

"Hello mother." She tried not to sound as trite as her mother who welcomed her with no enthusiasm.

"Late as always." Mrs Swiss accused as they both hug each other stiffly and exchanged brief pecks on their cheeks.

Evan left the statement hanging but offered the champagne she had brought and shrugged out of her coat. The hanger already held her sisters' and the kids' coat. She took her time hanging hers before joining the other.

"You look curvy." Her sister blurted out as the twins ran to hug her.

"Hey you. How was school today?"

"I wanted you to come pick us. It was a disappointment to see mom..." Ethan was saying then stopped.

"Disappointment to see your mother?" Mrs Swiss said joining the whole family at the dinning.

"Grandma, that's not what I meant. Mom?' he turned to his mother for some sort of help.

Adriana turned away, trying to look like she was angry, "I disappoint you?" She teased wickedly. The boy started to stutter.

"I... no. I didn't ...."

"That's because he had bragged about his rich bad ass aunt coming to pick us all day in school." Elizabeth explained.

"You did? I would have come had you said so." Evangeline smiled at him, "Tomorrow?"

"Deal." Ethan said, gave his aunt high-five then ran to hug his mother. "I love you mother." He threw himself at her.

"I know baby."

"Now, can we eat?" Mrs Swiss said, ringing the bell. The maids came to start dishing the food. Evangeline rolled her eyes at the old tradition. Her mother was still as stiff as she had known. Always following custom. Mrs Swiss noticed and waited calmly for the maids to leave. "And do you have something to say to me?"

Evangeline smiled brightly, "No mother."

The twins were about digging in to their food when Mrs Swiss busted out, "Not in my house you both."

They dropped their spoons hastily. "Let's pray. Dear Lord, bless this food and everyone who has graciously graced our table tonight." She said, looking pointedly at Evan.

"Amen." Everyone chorused and began to eat.

After a swallow, Mrs Swiss asked her youngest daughter, "And why are you in town, pray tell?"

"Mother?" Adriana cautioned. "Can we just eat and be grateful we are all here together now?"

"What's wrong in asking my daughter why she's home?"

Nobody replied and everyone ate quietly. Even the twins could sense the tension. They talked only in hushed tones.

The table was cleared and desert was being set up when Mrs Swiss asked again. "How's your company doing these days? I heard the Technological Company is quite the deal."

"Fine mother."

"And your man?"

"None mother."

"Why?"

"Nothing mother." Evangeline pushed back her seat, a clear warning she would be leaving soon. Her mother smiled sarcastically but changed topic. Turning to her oldest child, "When is Noah coming again?"

"He should be here by weekend. He met the client yesterday. They would be having the meeting during lunch today. So, all goes well and we can have him home soon."

"Yay!" the twins yelled excitedly.

From the corner of her eyes, Mrs Swiss saw her youngest daughter pull the red wine and poured herself a full glass, she gulped it down. Her mother pretended not to see that but was clearly annoyed. When she poured herself another cup, Mrs Swiss had had enough. "Is being home so bad you have to get drunk to see it through?"

"The wine was there mom. Didn't you want us to have it? Why bring it out then?" Evans retorted angrily, whatever calmness she had been determined to act flew out the window that minute.

"I don't know why you have to leave without a backward glance. You wouldn't call, wouldn't pick my call."

"I needed to breathe. Was that so hard to understand too?" She yelled.

"Ladies, the kids. Can we calm down please?" Adriana cut in but no one listened to her.

"It's not my fault you know." Mrs Swiss said quietly.

"And I don't blame you that dad left us either. I never did."

"You did...deep down, you must have blamed me."

"Why would you come to that conclusion when I never said anything?" Evangeline blurted out angrily.

"You didn't have to, you acted it."

"Wow, way to go mother." She stood up, "Thanks for dinner. I'll see myself out." Evangeline stormed out of the house without listening to Adriana's plead.

"Why can't you just let the past be?" Adriana said sadly to her mother.

"You think it's past when she wouldn't even stay a week here." Her mother glared.

"That's because she has a business and a life back in Los Angeles. And right now, she's going through a lot. I wish you'll cut her some slack. I begged you on the phone to be nice to her."

"Why walk around edges around my own child?"

"Because she's hurt, Mother." Adriana said. She stood up to leave too. "Thanks for dinner, mom." The twins hugged their grandmother and followed their mother out.