Chapter 19: A Mother's Worries

"A child's choices must be chosen by his own choosing."

"Affirming words from moms and dads are like light switches. Speak a word of affirmation at the right moment in a child's life and it's like lighting up a whole roomful of possibilities."

— Gary Smalley

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Will Allan Foundre POV

August 9, 2005

It is the next day after Mom woke up. I am currently with Dad in the room where the CT technicians operate the CT console, it is separated from the room where Mom is currently in but we can still see through a glass window.

Dad isn't wearing a hospital gown anymore instead he is in black slacks and a long sleeve shirt, he asked the doctors to discharge him last night. I didn't know that he could do that or that it is even possible so I asked him.

"Dad?"

"...Hmmm? What is it, son?" He is looking intensely at Mom on the other side of the window.

"How did you get yourself discharged by the hospital?" I asked curiously because just yesterday he is still laying in bed in a hospital gown.

"Oh... Hahahah it's because of this 👌"

"...What?" Money seriously? Did he bribe the doctors or something?

"Hahahaha look at your face, I'm just messing with you. I told you yesterday that I just needed to finish my physical therapy right? Well, I am fine and can walk properly like a week ago but I decided to stay here at the hospital and wait for your Mom to wake up." He said while laughing, thinking that what he did is smart so I decided to burst his bubble.

"Dad... the whole room is paid, I overheard Thana paying for it some time ago. You could've stayed there as a guest all you want."

"What?! You mean I could b- *Cough**cough* ...no son you don't understand. I just can't leave your mother alone for even a second that is all the reason I need to stay as a patient with her." He said with a serious tone and looking ahead with an even more serious expression.

I guess he is just really worried about Mom even though he was the one that got shot. The doctors probably knew that he is faking it and I could guess that they advised him that he is fine but Dad is the one that probably insisted to stay.

I mean I can understand I am worried about Mom as well. He isn't the only one that did stupid things, I felt so powerless not being able to do anything that I did some stupid things as well. But I guess the difference between Dad and me is that he wasn't as violent as I am...

I could've used the gatcha to help Dad recover faster and to wake up Mom instead I used it to get some petty revenge on a lackey...

I am afraid of myself. I almost crossed a line that shouldn't be crossed without thinking properly with just the small amount of power that I currently have. I don't know what I will do if I was stronger... would I have directly killed the Kingpin and everything that he loves?

I should stop thinking about this. Right now my priority is not that, it is helping Mom recover and the safety of my loved ones. Eliminating the Kingpin will just be an obstacle not a goal because he is a threat to my family's safety.

*Beeeep*

"Sir, It is done. The result will come out later after we process it" The doctor said to Dad.

"I see thank you, Doctor."

Then the nurses carried Mom to a wheelchair and moved her toward us.

"Mom, how are you feeling? Are you okay?"

"It was fun... haha. There is a lot of beeping, I feel like I was in the future so exciting!" Mom said turning her head in my direction and looking with aimless eyes. I hold her hand tightly because seeing her still this upbeat even though she currently can't see, makes me want to blind Kingpin right now...

"Will, what's wrong? I'm fine you don't need to worry about me so smile." She said then put both her hands on my cheeks and stretched my lips.

"Mhhmm... I fine Mom staapph."

"Not until you smile." Then she let go and tickled me.

"Hahahaha stop I'm smiling now so stop! Hahahah." I quickly backed away from her because she knows all of my weak spots.

"That's what I want to hear, you should smile more haaah... I don't want you to worry about me. You and your father are the same."

"What? How did I got involved I was talking to the doctor." Dad said after coming closer to us.

"You think I didn't know? You didn't sleep, I know that you stayed by my side the whole night."

"...I just can't sleep it has got nothing to do with me being worried."

"Who are you kidding Ron? You're a horrible liar, I know that you are lying. Haahh... both of you come closer."

We both came closer to Mom and she stretch both her hands toward our faces

"What is it? You're not go-"

Then she kissed both of us on the forehead.

"...I know that you're both worried but I'm fine."

"We know honey... I know that you're strong but, can you blame us for being worried?"

I just stayed silent because even though she can be permanently blind she is still the one that is consoling us. Damn it... I shouldn't have used the gatcha for something stupid like that, I could've healed her right now but now I need to wait.

"Will? baby? What's wrong?"

"Oh... It's nothing I'm just feeling hungry all of a sudden."

"That's right! It is almost lunch time we need to eat." Dad said then she pushed Mom's wheelchair out of the room.

Mom held my hand while we walk then she turned to me and said,

"You okay baby?" What? Why is she asking me?

"I'm fine Mom... Why?"

"Oh it's nothing hahaha if you say so."

Then she squeezed my hand.

"What's this? Callouses?"

"Oh I guess Will still hasn't told you huh? He is practicing swordsmanship, Isn't that great?"

"What? Why? Who is teaching him? What if he gets hurt?"

"It's fine honey, He is teaching himself I offer-"

"What?! By himself? What if he cuts himself or gets into an accident? No, I don't appor-"

"Elise...! He is not a kid anymore, he can make his own decisions and if he wants to learn how to use a sword or martial arts it is his own decision."

"What? You just agreed? With no one even teaching him?" I can feel Mom's grip on my hand getting stronger... I guessed this would happen that's why I didn't tell her.

"Haaah... I already asked Pierre to find him a teacher but we are still currently busy so Charles is the one looking out for him right now."

"B-but he could get hurt..."

Then Dad stopped walking and kneeled in front of Mom and held her face then said,

"Elise... you shouldn't baby him anymore. He wants to do this and the best we could do for him as his parents is to support him."

"I-I... your right."

Mom then pulled my hand and hugged me tightly.

"I just slept and in a blink of an eye my baby is growing up." Then she pulled my face up and kissed me on my forehead. "But you'll still be my baby forever."

"Of course... Mom."

I'm thankful that I have the support of both of them but... I still need to hide some things from them because no matter how supportive they are, who in their right mind will agree to their child making an underground group?