Page 40 of Shamed
I make sure to be a dick as I’m leaving, purposely dropping the controller onto Campbell’s nuts and mumbling some reply to his protest that I don’t even remember because I’m rushing to get out the door.
With one thought on my mind, I jump into my car and speed home as fast as I can.
I’m through my front door seconds after pulling up. “Mom!”
“In here,” I hear her soft voice call out.
Standing outside the bathroom door with my stomach in knots, I knock twice before reaching for the handle. “I’m coming in.” With a quick twist of the knob, I push the door open and walk through, finding Mom’s fragile body naked on the floor, wedged between the toilet and bathtub.
All those knots that grew in my stomach the second I received the SOS text crawl up into my chest and tighten at the sight.
“Fuck.” Rushing to her, I crouch on the ground, reaching for a towel from the rack to cover her body.
“I’m sorry I pulled you away from your friends.”
“Shit, Mom, don’t ever apologize.” I drape the towel over her exposed parts. “Are you injured anywhere?”
“Just a few bruises, I think. Nothing serious.” I know she’s shaken up when she doesn’t call me out on my swearing.
“Are you sure? I don’t want to hurt you more when I pick you up.”
She shifts a little. “No. No, I’m okay.” A huff of a laugh. “I just couldn’t get myself out of here.”
Leaning down, I maneuver my hands under her body and lift her into my arms, watching her face for any discomfort. When it appears she’s telling the truth, I move her the rest of the way.
“You know I don’t like you trying to shower without me here. We need one of those walk-in tubs. These bars do shit-all.” I gently place her into the shower chair, briefly checking her back, arms, and legs for bruises, then close the shower curtain.
Embarrassment is not a luxury either of us can afford, though she still wishes she didn’t need me to help her like this.
“And you know I don’t like putting that burden on you, honey.”
“It’s not a burden,” I tell her softly, picking up her phone from beside the toilet. “I don’t mind helping you.”
I owe her everything. Mylife.
“How did I get so lucky to have a son like you?”
Emotions travel up through my body and get clogged in my throat. Luck had nothing to do with it.
“I’ll just wait outside until you’re done. Don’t try to get out by yourself.”
After her resigned agreement, I step into the hallway to give her some privacy, then close the door behind me, leaning back against it once I hear the water running.
She was diagnosed with a rare neurological disease that attacks her muscles, causing atrophy in her arms and legs. The symptoms have slowly gotten worse over the years, and though she has suggested she go live somewhere with assisted living, it’s not something we can afford, and I know it’s not what she really wants to do, anyway.
Besides, I don’t think it’s that bad yet. And after all she’s gone through for me, the least I can do is look after her any way I can.
It’s always been just the two of us.
“I’m serious about the walk-in tub,” I yell through the door. “I’ll sell some feet pics to help pay for it if I have to.”
Her laughter loosens the knot in my chest, and I breathe a little easier, relaxing against the door. The soft melodic sound of her joy is what I like to hear.
My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out while I wait.
Campbell: You lame-ass fucker, ditching having some beer with us to get some dirty pussy.
Mase: Nah, your mom was busy.
