CHAPTER 72: ACCEPTANCE

MICHAEL

"I told you, I'm fine."

Mom had been discharged from the hospital by the time I arrived at the airport. Still, I decided to visit the beach house. There, I found my parents having a small squabble in the living room while Doris and Garry were making breakfast in the kitchen.

"Why did you have to call Michael? I'm sure he's busy, aren't you, honey?" Mom asked, sitting on the couch and enduring her bruised hip.

The doctor said she's fine, just exhausted and dehydrated. The change of season was one of the causes, but she also got a bruise and a scratch on her forehead from the fall.

Dad seemed more distraught over my mother than I had ever seen him before. He was worried sick.

The last time I visited, Dad couldn't even step out of the bedroom. However, Garry mentioned that Dad himself asked him to ready the car fast.

Stepping out of line now? Then it's a good riddance. He cares for Mom.

"It's fine, Mom," I waved it off as if my confession and revelation weren't cut off. "Besides,