Your Father

Zelda

I thought I heard my mother's voice, her familiar tone filling my ears. I shut my eyes, then opened them quickly, my heart racing with hope. But to my disappointment, her eyes were still closed.

Maybe it was just my imagination, my wishful thinking getting the better of me. I tried to settle myself, to push down the flicker of hope that had bloomed in my chest. I was determined to stay strong, no matter what.

Just as I was about to close my eyes again, I heard her speak, her voice soft and raspy.

“Your father…” she said, her words breaking off as tears rolled down her cheeks.

I couldn't believe it. I felt like I was in a dream, like this couldn't be real. But there she was, my mother, awake and speaking to me. I held her hand tighter, not wanting to let go, afraid that this moment might end.

She began to cough, her body shaking with the effort. I shot up from my seat, rushing to get her a glass of water from the nearby pitcher. I poured it into a cup, taking care not to spill