2020-02-20 - Be Careful What You Wish For

02-19-20 @ 9:00 PM

Her cell phone was ringing. Her mother’s ringtone.

Esme’s gaze was locked onto the rock that was laying in her hand. There was a carving of a letter on it. Sealed with wax like in the old days. What did it mean? Her thumb lightly ran over the image.

The sound of the swing music faded and then immediately started up again. It pulled Esme out of reverie finally. She jumped up and rushed over to the kitchen counter to answer the cell.

“Mom? Is everything okay?” Esme asked, worry in her voice. Something had happened. Esme just didn’t know what.

“Something is very wrong Esme.” Maybell was remarkably calm as she spoke. “We’ll talk tomorrow okay? I’m so very tired. I love you, sweetheart.”

“Mom? Talk me. Please? What’s wrong? We need to talk tonight, not tomorrow. Tonight. I’m coming over.” Esme didn’t let Maybell respond. She hung up the call and rushed to throw on some actual clothes before racing over to 33 Oak.

When she entered the home, her mother was lying on the couch, eyes closed and breathing shallow. Esme rushed over, dropping to her knees so she was level with Maybell. “Mom, mom, what’s wrong?” For a woman who was remarkably calm under pressure, she had a rising well of panic bubbling up. Her hand clasped one of the woman’s.

“Esme?” Maybell murmured, drawing in a slow breath. “I told you to wait...until tomorrow…” Her eyes fluttered open and focused on her daughter. “It’s...going to be okay...sweetie.” Her skin had taken on a vaguely yellowish hue. “It’s just….” Her voice trailed off and her eyes closed again.

“No no no nonono.” Esme fumbled for her cellphone, dialing 911.

“911, what’s your emergency?”

“Some-something’s really wrong with my mom. I need an ambulance. Please. Please hurry!” Panicking. Full blown panicking because Esme knew that this was her fault. She didn’t know the specifics but she knew instinctively that this was her fault.

02-20-20 @ 6:00AM

“Detective Wilkinson, Mr. WIlkinson?” The doctor walked up to where Esme was sitting with her father. When the ambulance came she had roused him and brought him with her to the hospital. She knew for sure that it was all her fault now because her father was markedly improved from the last time she saw him just a few short days ago.

They were both looking pretty worse of wear in this moment though- worry and anxiety. Esme stood up as the doctor called out, helping her dad stand too. “What’s the word, doctor?” She asked. Trying to sound calm, brave. Collected.

The doctor gave them both a sympathetic smile. “We’ve run tests multiple times and have concluded she’s suffering from acute liver failure. She’s resting now but, you can go in and see her. I’d like to talk to you alone for an extra moment though Detective.”

Esme felt her bottom lip tremble even as she nodded. “Go on in and see her dad. I. I’ll be right there.” Giving his upper arm a gentle squeeze.

The doctor motioned to a nurse to escort her father off and then, when they were alone, “I’m truly sorry detective. She maybe has 24 hours at the most. Her record shows that she was only on a blood thinner. Do you know if she was taking anything else?”

Esme just shook her head. “I don’t...I...thanks, doc….” She pressed her thumb and pointer fingers against her eyes. “I’m gonna go see her now….” and briskly started walking towards the room Maybell was in.

02-20-20 @ 3:00PM

Maybell had been resting, being kept comfortable. Esme had let her parents talk at length in private, hovering just outside the door. Her father emerged, still distraught, but said he would be in the waiting room. Maybell wanted to talk to Esme.

So now, Esme was walking into the room. Her own eyes red and watery from the tears she’d been unable to hold back. Walking up to the bed, she took her mom’s hand and forced a smile. “Hey mom.” She murmured. “Dad said you wanted to talk to me?”

Maybell smiled a bit when Esme walked in, but it faded. Like smiling was too much energy. “I love you Esme. You are...so bright, beautiful. I’m so proud of you.” There’s a little squeeze of Esme’s hand. “I know you know...now...about this place...honey. Just remember. No matter how much good you do here. With what you’ve been gifted. There will always be the price to pay at the end.” It was clear that Maybell didn’t know Esme was responsible for this, more like she was certain her number had been called for all the times over the years she’d used her own abilities to help people.

Esme felt the tears streaming down her face. Her mother hit the nail so hard on the head, it hurt. “Mom I-”

Maybell lifted her other hand to shush her. “So I want you...to live your life. To the fullest okay? Help people, help yourself. Be careful but...keep being brave. You are going to do great things.” She smiled again, her own tears lingering in her eyes now. “And you make sure to hang on to that young man of yours. He’s a keeper.”

Esme let out a mix between a laugh and a sob, sinking into the chair that her father had occupied not long ago. “I love you so much. I’m so, so sorry.” She managed to get out through the sobs.

But she wouldn’t get a response because merely a minute later the heart monitor started flat lining.