Revealing Intentions

“What does this even mean?” Jess muted under her breath but quickly dismissed it as she had more important things to do than worry about some meaningless text from an unknown number. She quickly went to the ward that the nurse at the reception directed her to. There were lots of security at every turn you take and that kind of left Jess a bit perplexed. She quickly took a turn to the left towards the emergency ward where her father had been admitted.

She met her mother at the reception area, head bowed on her knees while shaking her head vigorously. She took careful steps towards her, her hearth beating erratically. All sorts of thoughts went through her head especially when she noticed tears rolling down her mother’s face.

“Mom! That was all she managed to say before the tears in her eyes started rolling down her face.

“The doctor said he has kidney failures and that he needs a transplant as soon as possible. Where am I going to get such huge amount of money from, in such a short period of time? She sobbed quietly.

Jess was conflicted on how to tell her mom that she already knew about her father’s condition for some time now. She couldn’t even bring herself to tell her that their business was on the brick of bankruptcy because her father borrowed money from some loan sharks which he was unable to pay.

She hugged her mom with tears flowing down her eyes and whispered in her ear, those words which she was afraid to say. “Mom, I knew that dad had kidney failures for some time now, I was just too scared to tell you”

Her mom took a step back, looked at her daughter and said three words that broke Jess heart “How could you? How could you keep that away from me? She asked with a pained look on her face.

“I’m sorry mom, when I found out, I was devastated and couldn’t bring myself to break the news to you. I tried talking with dad to try to understand why he kept his health condition away from us but the circumstances of these few days had not given me the opportunity before….” Jess busted in tears.

“It’s okay, I shouldn’t put the blame on you. Now is the time to be strong for your father, for me and for your sister, Mia! We will get through this as a family, I’m sure of that. Vera said while wiping the tears off her daughter’s face.

“Where is Mia mom? Jess asked as she hadn’t seen her sister since she arrived at the hospital.

“She told me she wanted some fresh air just at the back of the hospital” Vera replied while having a distant and hollow look on her face.

“What are you thinking, mom?” Jess asked as she stood up from her crouched down position and sat at the waiting room chair beside her mother.

“I’m thinking of selling some farm equipment in order to raise some money for your father’s treatment. Tomorrow, I will put some of the machinery on the market to see how much we’ll be able to raise” Vera replied looking at her daughter’s alarmed face.

“I know you want to protest these decision of mine, but Jess we are left with very little option and no time” she calmly explained.

Jess didn’t know how to break the news of the farm being bankrupt and their rent that has been due for some time now. She feared that if her mom learnt of all these information at once, it might make her blood pressure to rise. Their dad was already in the ICU and the pain and fear of losing him was already unbearable. She didn’t want their mother to join him as the second patient. So, she decided to keep silent for the mean time until they were out of this crises.

“How did you find out about your father’s condition? Vera asked Jess with a sad look and puffed up eyes. She really loved her husband whom she met in college. They have continuous reaffirmed their love for each other on every anniversary of their marriage. Jess could only imagine the pain that she must be going through.

“I went to visit him after work so that we could go home together, but he wasn’t in his office. I was about calling him when the landline in his office started ringing, so I picked it up. The first thing I heard was

“When are you going to start your dialysis treatment, there’s not much time on your side” Jess narrated the incident in details while leaving out the details of other things she found out on that same day.

“How long have you know? Vera continued to probe further.

“It’s being about a week now” Jess replied with her head bowed down in shame. She didn’t mean to hide the truth from her mom but some things are better kept secret for now.

“Don’t hide things from me anymore okay, I’m your mother. Always come to me when you’re having challenges, you hear me? Vera asked as she held her daughter’s hands.
Jess only nodded, she did not have the courage to look her mother in the eye as there were still plenty that she was hiding from her.

“Mom, about the hospital bill, you don’t have to worry so much. I was given an advance from work and have made the down payment for father’s treatment today before coming home” Jess announced with a smile on her face. She was glad to have done one thing right today.

“Really! You must have a good hearted person as your boss.” Vera commented heaving a sign of relief. For the meantime, her husband’s treatment can start while she rally round to raise funds to settle the other medical and house expenses. She hated the fact that her daughter was carrying such a heavy burden meant for her and her husband even at such young age.

Jess blushed at the memory of Brock kissing her at the police station, if her mother had been paying attention, she would’ve noticed the red color that coted her daughter’s checks but she was too occupied in her own thought to have noticed. Just at that moment, she received a text from Mrs. Walker informing her that Brock had decided to give her three days off from work to sort out her personal issues.

She quickly sent a text conveying her thanks to him from the bottom of her heart. Just then Mia walked in looking haggard, her eyes was swollen and the dark circles under her eyes was an indication of tiredness and lack of sleep especially after the event that happened at the police station.

Jess quickly went over and hugged her. “You did incredibly well today bunny. Why don’t you and mom go home and rest while I stay at the hospital, since only one family member is allowed to stay with dad.

“But don’t you have work tomorrow? Mia asked, concern lacing her voice. She did not want her sister to lose her new job especially as they seriously needed the money at this critical time. She on the other hand has already been fired from her job and so, was in a more suitable position to stay the night.

“Don’t worry, my boss gave me three days off so that I could sort myself out. So, it’s not a problem. You and mom on the other hand looks sleep deprived and I doubt you will be able to function under such condition. After much persuasion, they both agreed to go home and rest.

Sarah was available to pick them up just in time. Jess was surprised when Sarah called her saying that she had read her text and was already on her way to the hospital. She was so kind to drop her mom and Mia home.

In Brock’s mansion however, there was tension as Brock came face to face with his parents and Rose his supposed fiancée.