A black vehicle pulled over in front of a tall glassy building, a blue painted hospital, the one to alight from the car was Neil Jordans, a slender young man wearing a grey hoody paired with black baggy jeans...
Multiple security humanoid bots had to scan him discreetly to confirm he wasn't a criminal on the run.
After paying the auto system with his credit card Neil watched as the AI car drove off in full speed.
He spat out the cigarette butt at the edge of his lips before strolling into the hospital like a drunk.
"Single ward 506?" Neil asked the front desk nurse in a low tone as his eyes nervously wandered.
The front desk nurse was Lyn, a chubby lady with a real mean face that matched her sassy attitude.
"Mr Jordans...may I ask where you where around 7pm yesterday...your mother ...." Nurse Lyn paused as she turned her gaze "anyways Mrs Jordan was moved to the emergency ward since yesterday..."She switched to a more professional tone as she typed on her keyboard.
Neil the tall slender man fidgeted as he stood, with his face hidden under a hood "what...why? Why? What happened to my mother?" He words echoed throughout the hall.
"Mrs Jordan had a serious seizure yesterday..." Lyn responded coldly, she couldn't care less about the annoying man in front of her.
Neil rarely paid his mother a visit even as he was the only one footing the hospital bills, Always working his ass off and barely paying attention to his health to.
Just look at him, skinny, sleep deprived, hair under hoodie looking like he'd just been struck by thunder, his reeked of cheap whiskey and cheap cigarettes.
"Is she awake now?" Neil asked, slouching slightly forward due to his weak knees.
"She's in ward 6"
"She just finished her breakfast..I suppose she's asleep..."
Before Lyn could finish Neil dashed out, rushing towards the elevator.
His chest clenched just as his breathing became rapid
'My next shift starts in thirty minutes..shi'
Upon reaching the single ward 509, Neil skidded to a halt, pulled down his hood, tried fixing his chaotic blonde hair with his spit, ( for some sleek appearance), practiced smiling warmly and even went as far as to sniff himself, obviously he knew he reeked of alcohol and cigarette...yet all this personal check ups was for his mother, Elizabeth.
For sure he would get an earful when he steps in, knowing that he heaved a sigh of defeat and knocked gently before heading in.
"And what are you doing here!!"
Neil eyes automatically tightened shot in embarrament.
How can she not let him greet her first, it was as if she timed his entry.
"Mom I can explain..." Neil murmured, his eyes traced another direction as he rubbed his neck tiredly.
"What? You planning to leave me again?" Elizabeth uttered bitterly as she glared down on Neil who avoid her piercing gaze like a nervous puppy.
Not long ago Neil returned to his hometown only to find out his mother who he hadn't seen for several years was chronically sick and suffering, he took it as his responsibility to make sure by all means she receives best treatment and recovers...hence the reason for his multiple part time jobs...
And the time his jobs demanded only loosened their bond, he's unable to pay regular visits at will.
It was only understandable that Elizabeth would constantly feel and worry her only son would end up abandoning her even on her sickbed.
"I'm sorry mom, you know I try my best to see you" Neil muttered as he kissed her forehead.
But what Elizabeth failed to notice was how Neil was constantly beating himself up for leaving her all those years just because he was too used to that flashlight lifestyle.
Just when Neil went to retreat, Elizabeth grabbed her son's collar tightly, dragging him abruptly and sniffing him barely " when will you quit drinking!!" She yelled, yanking his off as turning away with disappointment etched in her eyes.
Neil gulped, tapping his feet nervously.
"Neil...when you look at me... What do you see?" Elizabeth uttered in an airy tone, her eyes wandering back to Neil's.
"A beautiful gorgeous woman"
Those words, meant to cheer her up rather it had her gaze sharpen, a glint of fury flickering across her pupils
" Just like you I used to be a drug addict, chain smoker...but here I am lying in hospital with a rusty liver, a dying heart, and a brain cancer..." She stated sharply, crossing her arms against her chest "I don't know how I'll still be alive...if not for this goddam machines adding 24hrs to my lifespan!!"
"Mom you'll be fine-" Neil cut in sharply in his usual desperate tone.
"And what about you?" Elizabeth narrowed her eyes sharply, rendering Neil speechless.
Just as Neil lips parted, his watch started beeping, his time was up...
"Mom I promise I'll come visit you soon, please bare with me...as soon as I raise enough money I can have you moved you to a better hospital in the city where you'll receive treatment..."
His words faded out as soon as he slammed the door shut with a loud thud, leaving behind silence for Elizabeth to bare..
"All I want is you Neil..." Elizabeth muttered under her breath while drops of something hot and salty fell from her eyes.
"you promised you won't leave mommy anymore..."
****
Few minutes after reaching his work place which was a convenient store, Neil phone went off, prompting him to excuse himself out after realising it was his mother's doctor.
It was urgent
Charley: "Hello Mr Jordans "
Neil: "Yes... doctor Charley "
Charley: "I heard you came around to see your mother... that's good... yesterday she kept insisting and requesting to see you and as a result of that...her BP spiked.. causing her to have a painful heart attack"
Neil remained quiet, only biting down on the cigar he'd just lit.
Charley: "Neil I know you're trying your best but I think your best isn't enough... Mrs Jordans is dying and needs to get surgeries "
Neil: "Charley I'm working on it...just...just...J-just give me time...I promise--"
Charley: "Mr Jordans there's no time! As we speak Mrs Jordans has an estimate of a month to leave and since there hasn't been any positive progress in her condition... we'll have to discharge her sooner or later"
Neil: " I pay the hospital bills!!!"
He screamed, pinching the bridge of his nose in annoyance.
Charley: "It's unfair to keep letting you make payment when there's not progress!!"
Neil: "SO WHAT SHOULD I DO!! HUH? WHAT SHOULD I FUCKIN DO DOC!! WHAT DO YOU WANT ME TO DO!!"
Charley: "I advise you spend your time and resources bonding and fixing your relationship with your mother...to make her passing easier, not just for you but for her...."
That was it...
Neil ended the call abruptly, squeezing the phone tightly as tears rained down his face.
Slowly his back glided down the wall until his was crouching with his head hanging loosely like a broken bot.
His gritted bitterly
'Where did it all go wrong?'