She kissed him goodbye, knowing he wouldn’t remember her tomorrow and still she will again come to visit her son, after finishing her work. Since 2 years, she lives like that.

Many people were telling her, that she should let him go, as he fell into a coma, but which loving mother could do that?  Something told her, that it is worth to wait, because he always was a fighter. Also in his sport, he always gave all and sometimes a bit more then that. He loved his bike, which still is in the garage, waiting for him. One of his dreams was, to do the Race across America. From the west coast to the east coast. But destiny stroke shortly before it could happen. Ryan had already contacts to a team, which would let him train with them. Only 2 weeks, before they started, the unthinkable would happen. She often saw the news and thought: “At least my kids are in a private school”. Not even in nightmares, she would have thought about it, that even in this posh school her kids are able to visit, would happen such a dreadful event. Yes, some of them party too hard, but this? Never will she forget the call from school at the Gallery in which she is working. She was suddenly feeling very weak and was grateful, that her boss understood that she should not be alone at this moment. The second time in her life, that she got such a call. The first one happened, as the army called her, letting her know, that her husband died, doing his duty. She received this call, while she was pregnant with their second child Ryan. She lost already one beloved, she will not give up him. Many so called friends left her, while she was resisting to let Ryan die and then, after 6 months it happened, he woke up. But due to his injuries, he had to learn everything again and also lost his long-term memory.  Her boss was happy to reduce her working hours and gave her a new contract. Since 2 years she works now part-time. Hir first born Chloe studies in Yale Psychology.

Ryan was in last class of his high school days, he was planning with many others the prom night they would have and instead of enjoying life, he has to learn from scratch, how to walk, sit, talk, but worst is, that his memory from previous time, before he got nearly killed through a previous student, is gone. All this is always going through her mind, when she drives home from the hospital. She tries hard, but she cannot stop thinking about it, how life could have been, when all this, would not have happened. Would Ryan study sport? Would he be more involved in races? Would he have a girlfriend? Melinda pulls over her car to a shop, to get the pies, they will have tomorrow as dessert. After this, she drives to the bus station in Hartford. Chloe stands already there as she arrives.

“I am so sorry honey. There were already more people at the shop then expected.” “Hello mum, don’t worry. I was just at the take away over there, and got us some coffee.”. Melinda gives Chloe a hug and puts the suitcase in her car. As she steps in, she gets her bag. She opens it and sees a donate included. “Chloe, you should not do that. You should save your money.” Mum, I truly love my job, and really get well paid there. You are looking after us since dad died, so please shut up and let me help you once in a while. So, do we do something tomorrow and will Ryan be with us?” “Of course we do something tomorrow and I will Ryan take home for 1 – 2 days. I spoke already with the doctor and he thinks, it is alright. We will also get a visit from a nurse for a while and I am sure we will be fine.” “That sounds wonderful. Did you start already with preparing everything? As I can see, you got the dessert already.” “Yes, I have to confess, it would be do much work otherwise, even when you help me.” “Oh I am sure, the old folks will not mind at all and as I know the grannies, will come for sure with some great food as well. We want be starving at all.” “No, I am sure, we have so much, we can give some to the nurses at the hospital.” Melinda finishes her little snack and soon drives home to their house in South West. After Chloe unpacked her suitcase, put some cloth into the washing machine and had a shower, she goes into the kitchen. Melinda already started preparing the main course for tomorrow and Chloe joined in, telling her, what happened in University, her Job and continued with: “Mum, there is something more I have to tell you.” Melinda looks at her and says: “So long you aren’t pregnant.” “No, of course I am not.” “Good.” “Mum!” “I know, how this sounds like and of course, I love you, but it is also not funny, to get pregnant too early. You are in the middle of the studies. I want you to finish that. I had totally luck with getting a job at the Gallery, because normally women like me, would end up at McDonalds or worse. It was not easy, for both of us. Your father was 20, I was 19,…” “I know and that is, why I am careful, but also have a young mum. Most of my colleagues have mums in their late 50th.” “If it is not that, you have a new boyfriend I assume?” “Well, that is somehow right.” “Somehow”? Melinda stops chopping the onions and looks at Chloe. “What do you mean with ‘somehow’?” Chloe takes out a bottle of wine. Melinda says: “When you do this, it must be something serious?” “I am sure, you will need it.” She looks at Chloe, while she pours wine into two glasses. “Well, I have a girlfriend.” Melinda looks stunned at her. Takes a sip of wine and says: “So you are a lesbian now?” Chloe replies: “It is more complicated.” “How can it be more compli…..Are you one of these, who feel like a man now?” Chloe starts to laugh: “No, not at all.” “But how can it be ‘more complicated’ then?” “I am sure that I am bisexual”. “How and when did you find that out?” It was with my last boyfriend. He introduced me to a special group and was asking me, if I want to try something new. She is stunning.” Melinda drinks the rest of her wine and sits down. “Alright. Well, I might have to get used to it I fear. So no grandkids one day I suppose?” “Mum, you know, there is still time and we are only together for about 4 months now. You also always told us, that I should finish studying first and that you do not want to become…..now Melinda joins in…a grandma before you – Melinda says “I”  turn 48.” “I still stick to that!” Melinda takes the bottle of wine, but says then; “We should finish it up tomorrow. After this news, I rather take some hot chocolate what about you Chloe.?” “Are there Marshmallows somewhere?” “Did I ever drink my hot chocolate without it? I am 42, but I will never give them up.” Both are laughing now. “I guess, I should never tell this our clients, but who knows, what these rich people do, when they are in their home.” Melinda gets up, takes what she needs for the hot chocolate and starts up to prepare it. “By the way, leave this part with the girlfriend out, when your grandparents are here. My parents  might not have a problem, but your dads father,…He is a very traditional old soldier, you know.” “Mum, don’t worry, I will not mention this part, for all, because I do not know myself, if it lasts. At the moment it still feels good, but not all have the luck like you and dad,…..sorry mum.” “Sorry? Why? Yes, we had only a short time together and he was young, as he had to leave this world, but you are not wrong. We had a very good time together.” “I have a question.” “What is it honey?” “Did you ever think about marring again?” “Well, there are times, for all now, that it sometimes seems to be too quiet and I feel already like a “crazy cat-lady”, but I am not sure, if I ever would have the same  with another man, than what I had with your father. You know, we often only had to look at each other and did know exactly, what the other one was thinking about. I swear, it was so magical, it is hard to describe and I truly hope that you and even Ryan might have the same great experience with someone.” “How is Ryan anyways?” “Oh, there are many progresses, the only thing which still is not back, is his memory. They are not sure, if he does not want to remember, or if really the injury causes the problem. It is a bit strange to tell him every day, who I am, when I visit him, but then, he is my son and if I might have to do it, until I am on my death-bed, then it is so.” “Mum, I always admired your strength. Now even more.” Melinda smiles and says: “Thank you honey. I guess, I did not have a lot of choice after all.” She puts down the cup and says then: “You know what, we put that stuff away. Half of it is anyways done. We can do the rest tomorrow, before I get Ryan from the hospital, let’s have a look, what else I have left and have a movie night. What you think about “Sense and Sensibility” with Kate and Emma?” “Oh I am so for that mum. I always liked that classic.” “I did not hear that word, nope I refuse to call that classic. Breakfast at Tiffaney’s is a classic, not that one! God, that tells me always, that even I am already 40+ now.” “Well, then I try to avoid it, because even I do not see you as an old woman.” “Oh how charming is that? The next bummer!” Melinda replies and both are walking with a tablet filled with hot chocolate, a bowl of popcorn, some cookies and a lot of laughter  into the living room.