Mom and I walk into the doctor surgery. Behind the desk is a woman with blonde hair and blue eyes. She looks up at us as we approach. "Good morning, Amadene. How are you this morning?"

"I'm good, Sylvia. What about you?"

A smile spreads across her face. "I'm fantastic." She stands up and shows off her pregnant stomach. Placing her hand on it she says. "This baby is sitting on my bladder. Just sign in and I'll be back soon." Sylvia walks away from the desk.

Looking around the room I see a girl sitting with her mom and she looks over at mine. "Momma, why's that lady walking like that?"

Across the room I see Mom shake her head, telling me not to interfere with an innocent question.

The mother looks in my direction and says. "She didn't mean anything by it. She's..."

I take a seat next to the girl. "That woman there is my Mom. She had a stroke."

"What's that?" She asks, innocently.

Looking at her mother she nods. Letting me know that it's alright for me to continue to tell her daughter. ".There are vessels in your brain and when it's blocked it causes a stroke. A stroke happens when there isn't enough blood or oxygen that gets to the brain."

"I'm sorry." She wraps her arms around me and begins to cry.

I wrap my arms around her and say. "Shhh, it's okay. Mom still gets to do the things she loves, but when she's not feeling well she'll stay in bed. Right now she's here to get a check-up." Dropping my arms I walk over to Mom and sit next to her.

She places her hand on mine. "Thanks."

A smile appears on my face. "You're welcome."

She lies her head on my shoulder and closes her eyes.

Bzz bzz

My phone vibrates in my back pocket. Pulling it out I look at it and see "Dad" flash across the screen.

Me: Hey, Dad.

Dad: Where are you? Is your mother with you? She's not in the house. He sounds panicked.

I laugh lightly.

Me: Dad, she's fine. I took her to the Doctor's appointment.

Dad: Shit! I promised her I'd be there for it. I'm being a shit husband.

Me: No, you're not. What you're going to do is get a bunch of flowers and Mom's favourite chocolates. Give it to her when we get back. Maybe, take her to the restaurant that opened across the street. You've been promising her that you'll have a date night once a month and it's been three since you last took her out.

Dad: Whose going to run my business while I'm out at dinner?

Me: I will. If there's a problem I can call you. Besides, the club isn't going to get trouble while you're gone for three hours.

Dad: Okay, but after my date I want you to drive your mother back home.

Me: That's not a problem old man. We'll see you when we get back.

I hang up the phone and see a smile on Mom's face. "You're father better be taking your advice."

"If he knows what's good for him, he will. Do you need to go shopping?"

A smile spreads across her face. "Yes, I do. While we're there we'll look at getting you something to wear to that ten-year reunion that you're having this year."

"Mom, people are going to treat me differently because I stayed here and didn't go to school as they did."

She touches my face. "You never went to a fancy school like them, but you did get a degree and that's something they don't know. Someday, you're going to get out of here and live the life you deserve. Just know that I'm great full for everything you've done for us."

"Thank you, Mom."

The doctor walks out of the office and looks at the chart in his hand. "Amadene."

"Right here," She stands up. "Wait out here. I won't be too long." She follows the doctor down the hall.

Ding,

My phone goes off with a message. Checking it I see that it's from my sister.

Kat: I'm coming home for the weekend with the kids.

Me: That's great. What about Seb?

Kat: He's going on a business trip. Won't be back until Monday.

Me: I can't wait to see you.

Kat: Have you heard from Chloe, Nina, Jasper or Dylan?

Me: No, they don't talk to me. The last time I heard from Jasper was when he told me that I was wasting my life living here. Chloe and Nina haven't spoken to me since they moved to college. As for Dylan, he calls me when he needs money.

Kat: Yeah, that sounds like our brother.

Me: Do you want me to tell Mom you're coming over or are you going to surprise her?

Kat: I'm surprising her tonight. I'll be there around 4 pm.

Me: Great, you can help me get her ready for date night with Dad.

Kat: Do they still do that?

Me: It's been three months since Dad last took her out.

Kat: That sucks. I wish my husband would do that, but he seems to be spending too much time at work.

Me: Is he having an affair?

Kat: NO, WHY WOULD YOU THINK THAT?

Me: Because he stays back at the office. Going away for business trips while you stay at home with the kids.

Kat: See you later.

I didn't mean to step on her toes and make her upset with me.

It's just that I've seen a lot of things happen in this town that could happen to my own family members and I don't want that.

The door opens and Logan walks into the room. "Hey, Sylvia. You're looking delicious as ever." He leans over the table and tries to kiss her.

She pushes him off. "Get out of here, Logan."

He shakes his head. "I'm here to see my old man. He wants to grab lunch with."

Sylvia points at the chairs close to me. "Sit over there and he'll be out soon."

Logan looks around the room and his eyes land on me. A smirk appears on his face. "Well if it isn't my favourite towny." He sits next to me and then nips you on my earlobe. "Why don't we finish what we started a couple of months ago?"

"No, that was a one-time thing. I just needed to get laid that night and you were the only one around."

"I'll see you tonight at the club. Leave the back door open for me."

I'm not going to do that. I'm sick of being used by guys and not having anything come out of it.

Pushing him off me I say. "That's not going to happen, Logan. Where's that pretty girl of yours?"

"She dumped me after I was caught cheating on her with a girl in the office."

That's what I thought. He's not going to settle down now or maybe ever with the way he carries on.

Mom walks down the hall with Doctor Hasting's behind her. "Are you ready to go, Liz?"

"Yes, I am. Bye, Logan." Mom and I walk out of the office and head to the mall.