Chapter 12 - The Fire That Never Died
Bernice closed her eyes, a shudder wracking her frail body. A fresh wave of tears slipped between her wrinkled eyelids.
"I gave him... everything," she sobbed, clutching the stiff hospital blanket with trembling fingers. "I sold your father's car for him. I took out a second mortgage for him. I treated you like dirt... so he could shine."
"You burned my wedding dress," I said, the words heavy and immovable between us. "You looked me in the eye and burned the only beautiful thing I had ever bought for myself. And you smiled while it turned to ash."
"I was a fool," Bernice wept, reaching out an open hand toward me across the sterile bedsheets. "A blind, wicked fool. He was my baby, Elaine... I thought if I just loved him enough, if I gave him enough, he would be the man his father wanted him to be. I was so afraid of being alone that I let a monster feed on my soul."
She looked at me, her eyes pleading for a forgiveness she hadn't earned. "Can you ever forgive me, Elaine? Please... don't leave me alone in that empty house. I have nobody left."
I looked down at her outstretched hand. The memory of my dress curling into black smoke flashed across my mind. I remembered the tears I had cried in the bridal dressing room, the shame of walking down the aisle in a rented gown that didn't fit, the cold cruelty in her eyes as she stood by the fireplace.
"I forgive you for what you did to me, Mother," I said softly, stepping back from the bed, refusing to take her hand. "Because holding onto that hatred will only destroy Warren and me. But forgiveness does not mean I will stay to be your punching bag again."
Bernice’s face fell into utter desolation. "Elaine... please..."
"The house has to be sold to pay off the bank and the liens Sterling took against it," I said firmly. "Warren and I have arranged for you to move into an assisted living facility in town once you are discharged. Your pension will cover the monthly rent. You will be safe, you will have meals, and you will have medical supervision."
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"And you?" she whispered, terrified. "Where will you go?"
"Warren and I are moving to Oregon," I replied, a sudden, overwhelming sense of lightness washing over my chest. "He received a job transfer last month. We stayed only to make sure you didn't lose the roof over your head. But now, my duty is done."
