Page 5 of Christmas Wishes

He's too handsome for his own good. He's got chiseled features and looking into his eyes is like getting lost in the deep blue ocean. Oh god, I've got it bad, I know. I just need to get a handle on myself and my feelings in front of him.

The nurse at the reception gives me a smile. She's used to me coming to visit at all hours of the day.

"Hey Daisy. This is Mirna's son, Gene."

"Oh hi. I'm glad Lilah was able to reach you. You can go ahead and visit with Mirna. I'll see if I can get the doctor to come give you more information on her condition."

"Thank you, ma'am."

I put my hand on Gene's arm and almost regret it. There's a mountain of muscles there that I would love to explore. I start walking towards Mirna's room and he follows me silently. When we arrive at her door he stops in his tracks.

We're in no hurry so I patiently wait for a few minutes while he gathers himself. He starts to step back, but I know that's not the right thing to do. I grab his hand in mine and look up at him with a small smile on my face.

He nods in acknowledgement and we go inside the room. It's cold inside and all the machines are beeping as they follow Mirna's heartbeat and vitals. I try to move further into the room but Gene is once again frozen.

I realize I need to give him some time to get accustomed to his mother's situation, so I let go of his hand and walk into the room. I say hello to Mirna and sit down on the chair next to her bed. I start talking to her in a low voice, telling her her son is here to see her.

Gene's mother has become a bit of my confidant, if that's possible. I tell her all my woes and it helps me immensely. I won't say anything right now because Gene is here with us. He is startled when the door behind him opens and the doctor comes in.

They talk in hushed tones and after a while I notice Gene's grim look. The doctor leaves and he takes a few tentative steps towards his mother's bed.

"You can hold her hand if you want. Do you want to sit here next to her?"

"I'm okay."

I turn back to his mother. There's some lotion in the table next to her bed and I take some and apply it to her hand and arm. She's cold and frail, but I still like to do this for her. Human touch is soothing and healing and I want her to know she's not alone.

"Do you always do that for her?"

"Yes. I want her to feel that someone cares for her."

I see him flinch.

"I didn't mean it that way."

"It's okay."

"You had your reasons for staying away."

He takes a step forward, then another, soon he's standing next to his mother's bed.

"Do you want some privacy?"

"No. Please stay."

I sit back and watch his mother. Every now and then I steal a look at him. He's clearly hurting. After a while he leans down and starts talking to his mother. There are words of apology, regret, but most importantly, love.

The nurse in charge gets him a chair and we spend about two hours with her. When we leave, Gene looks as if a huge weighthas been lifted off his shoulders. He opens the passenger door for me and we get settled in the car.

"Thank you, Lilah."

"I'm just glad I could help. When they told me she was fading, I knew I had to get you back here."

"Not just for that. For everything. You've been so good and kind to someone you don't even know. I don't know how I'll ever be able to repay you."

"No need for that."

"Okay. Do you want to grab some dinner in town?"

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