Page 65 of A Me and Him Thing
Her long hair is clean and brushed, and she’s dressed in a sweet nightgown. It’s obvious she’s well cared for. The nurse grabs a cloth and wipes some drool from her chin. Then she places a chair right next to the wheelchair.
Ren takes a seat, speaking to the woman in soft, comforting tones. I can’t catch everything he’s saying, but I hear bits and pieces.
“You look so beautiful today…so happy to see you… the kids love you so much…we miss you…”
Every word is a dagger to my heart, but I bury the pain deep inside. I can see and feel the love he has for this woman.
The woman doesn’t respond until Ren reaches out and takes her hands in his. She recoils immediately, pulling her hands away, ending the physical contact.
The devastation on Ren’s face kills me.
But he perseveres, talking quietly, whispering sweet nothings, letting Allison know how much she is loved. He doesn’t stop talking the entire time he’s with her, a constant flow of words designed to calm and soothe. Nothing is a balm like his silky voice.
Allison doesn’t respond, as if she doesn’t hear a word. It’s as though she doesn’t even know he’s there. Unless he tries to touch her. Her revulsion at being touched is intense.
“Can I give Mommy my picture and her flowers now?” Kate asks.
Confirmation granted. This is the mother of his children. This is Ren’s wife. Whether it’s his ex-wife or wife, I have no idea. I’m not sure it matters. Jack said he won’t leave her. After seeing him with her, I don’t think it’s a matter of obligation.
He loves her.
“Sure, sweetie.”
I open the door for her, and Kate tentatively walks in.
Ethan looks pale, his hands formed into tight fists at his sides, his envelope sticking out of one pocket.
“Are you going in?” I ask him.
He nods, trying to be brave, but the poor kid looks petrified. I pat him on the back in an attempt to reassure him.
I realize it has to be incredibly hard to see their mother in this state, but I don’t completely understand their fear.
My heart breaks as I watch Kate neatly place the flowers in a vase on the nightstand. Then she sets her envelope with her picture inside on Allison’s lap. “I made this for you, Mommy.”
While Allison’s face registers nothing, one hand brushes the envelope off her lap. Kate falls into her dad’s arms, bursting into tears.
Ethan places his envelope on her lap next. “For you, Mom. I love you.”
This time Allison grips the envelope in her hand, her fingers curling around it, and crushing it. Her face remains expressionless, her eyes staring at nothing.
Okay, I understand their fear now. This is their mother, who they love, and she’s clearly unpredictable.
Ethan kneels at her feet and lightly touches one knee. “Hey, Mom. I’m glad to see you. I miss you a lot.”
Allison’s eyebrows slowly furrow and she shakes her head in the negative. She pulls her arms around herself, hugging her torso, recoiling from Ethan. Then the most frightening thing of all happens. She starts to scream as she attempts to back away, over and over, louder and louder.
Patty quickly rushes to her side to calm her while Ren gathers the children and brings them to the foyer. Both Kate and Ethan are crying as Ren hugs them tightly.
“It’s okay, it’s okay. She’s just upset today. You both did great. Mom knows you love her,” he soothes.
His eyes wander up to mine, slightly defeated.
This. This is what he wanted me to see. This is his life. Not one single explanation could’ve made me understand what he was going through without seeing it for myself.
“Is she always like that?” I ask.
“No. Usually she lets the kids hold her hands and talk to her, sometimes hug her. Other times, like today, she can’t stand to be touched. We never know how she’ll react.”
