Page 60 of Doc's Decision

Doc's mother, Doris, sits slumped over in her chair, gazing out at the barren desert landscape.

Her silver hair is pulled back in a loose bun, and her once vibrant green eyes are now dull.

But she still carries the same strong jawline as her son.

Her voice wavers. "Marcus?"

Doc shakes his head. "No, it's me, Ma, Darren. I brought...someone for you to meet."

She turns her head to me, blinking.

Her cloudy gaze tries to focus on my face. "Who are you?"

I offer her a soft smile. "I’m Mandy. It's so nice to finally meet you, Mrs. Nixon."

Her once rosebud lips quirk upward. "Oh, call me Doris, everyone else does," she pats the seat on the bed, indicating for me to sit down.

All of a sudden his mother’s demeanor completely changes. "You said you were my son…but...you look so much older, I don't understand..."

Doc swallows hard, pulling a chair up to her bedside. "It's been a long time, Ma. Over fifteen years. I'm thirty-two now. I know it's hard to keep track. The time just keeps flyin’ by."

"Thirty-two?" She shakes her head in disbelief. "No, that can't be right. Just yesterday you were getting ready for homecoming..."

"I know. But a lot of time has passed since then," Doc says gently but firmly. "Listen, that's not important right now. Whatmatters is I'm here to see you. And I brought someone special with me." He reaches a hand out to me. "This is Mandy. My girlfriend."

Girlfriend.

The word rings in my ears and expands in my chest like a balloon.

I've never heard him call me that before.

It feels...fucking incredible.

Like puzzle pieces locking into place.

A promise of a future with him and Kash.

"Oh, um, okay…I guess that makes sense," her eyes crinkle as she smiles up at me.

She’s struggling and I don’t know if Doc sees how badly she is.

God, this must be unimaginable for her, and for him too.

This has to be why he doesn’t come and visit her more.

Suddenly, Doris’ bewilderment transforms into pure panic, her eyes wild as she surveys Doc's face. "Wait," she says, a sense of urgency in her voice. "You're not my boy..."

Doc immediately places his hands on her trembling shoulders. "Ma, it's me— Darren. I promise."

She jerks away from him violently and grabs the porcelain vase from the nightstand, throwing it at Doc with surprising strength. "Get out! You're an imposter!"

The vase shatters against the wall next to him, raining shards of porcelain around him.

"Mrs. Nixon!" I cry out, shock winding its way through my veins.

But Doc just takes it all in stride, ducking the flying pieces with fluid grace and straightening up once the danger is past.

His gaze remains steady on his mother who's now sobbing in her wheelchair.

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