Page 134 of Western Waves

“She is okay?!” Stella remarked as I held her hand tightly in mine.

“Yes. She’s awake and recovering. Follow me, please.”

We did as she said, and the moment we reached Maple’s room, we crashed inside and wrapped ourselves around the special woman.

“Grams, I was so scared,” Stella sobbed, falling into her chest.

“I’m sorry, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to scare you. I’m okay. I’m okay,” Maple soothed. She looked over at me and gave me that warm smile that she always shared. “Some of us already knew I would be, though.”

I smirked back a little. “I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Right when this is over, you are having me signed up to be able to look over you, okay? You need someone to be able to get information on your health status, Grams,” Stella scolded. I knew it was just an overwhelming moment of emotions for her. For Maple, too, and she gladly agreed. “Is this what it was? My anxiety. I thought it was about the baby, but was it you, Grams? Is this what you saw?”

She took Stella’s hand and patted it in her grip. “I didn’t want to scare you.”

“Too late for that.” Stella gently chuckled as she kissed her forehead. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

The doctor came in and notified us of what was going on with Maple. She suffered from a heart attack that sent her into a coma. It was very touch-and-go for a while, but with some intensive care and time, she would be okay.

We stayed as long as we could, but once visiting hours were up, we were forced to leave her side. “We’ll be back tomorrow,” I promised her.

“I know that you will.”

I kissed her forehead gently and squeezed her hand before letting her go. “UB,” I told her.

She smiled. “I’m glad you found it again.”

“Found what?”

“Your light.”

Once we made it home,I told Stella everything that happened to me with the wicked stepmothers. She was in a state of shock and wasn’t exactly sure how to take it all in.

“I knew they weren’t the greatest people, but I’d never thought they’d take it that far,” she said as we lay in bed, cuddled up.

“Yeah, well. It’s a toss-up between doing things for money and doing things out of rage. They were all jealous of you.”

“What? Why?”

“Because you reminded Kevin of your mother.”

Her eyes softened, and she shook her head. “They weren’t ever together, though.”

“You don’t have to be with a person to hold the deepest type of love for them. And I’m pretty sure that’s what Kevin had for your mother. I see it when I look through his old photographs. A photographer on his own is good at what they do. But a photographer in love? It shows up a bit differently. The photographs hold that much more heart. Trust me, I know.”

She smiled softly, but it felt as if she was holding back some of her thoughts.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Nothing, it’s just… I can’t believe they are really gone, my mom and Kevin. And with Maple almost…”

“She’s okay.”

“Yes, but there was such a big chance that she wouldn’t have been. And she’s still not out of the clear. I mean, any day, I could walk over there and find her like that again and…”

“Stella.”

“Yes?”