Short Story: Summer Faith of Maine

Summer Faith of Maine

It was seven a.m. in the morning when Maine woke up. It had been her habit. She used to sweep their backyard every morning, but not now, not until she becomes well. From her room’s window, she was just staring at the tree outside as its fruits slightly sway with the gentle blowing of wind. She can’t help but to be contented by looking at it.

That day was the official start of summer. Every child was playing outside with their classmates as if they were dogs who had been freed from a long-time in their cages. “Maine,” her mother called on her. “Breakfast is ready. Come on.” “Okay mom,” she replied as her mother approaches to assist her. Down a chair in front of the table. Walking towards the refrigerator, her mother noticed the calendar on the wall as it marked the month of April. It reminded her of something.

“Two months, just this summer.” It kept on echoing in her mind. “Mrs Valdez, your daughter has only two months. It’s miracle if she would make it up to June,” the doctor said.

She froze at the moment, It’s like the tik tak of the clock has stopped. It’s so hard for a mother, like her, to accept the fate of her daughter, to die within months and she can’t do anything about it.

“Who are you to say that? You’re just a doctor. You’re not God. You don’t have the right to say that my daughter will left us,” she exclaimed.

She walked home and already halfway there, but the doctor’s word didn’t leave her. She can’t throw it away of her mind, more forget about it.

At home, the thought come to her. Will she say if to Maine or just keep it a secret? If she will say it to Maine, she may take it negatively she will not say it, it will hunt her guilt most of the time, but will leave her daughter happy since she’s unaware. So as far a mother’s care, the child’s happiness is important so she chose the second option. Instead, she will just do her best to make the remaining two months enjoyable for her daughter.

“Mom?” Maine called her mother but she was out to the supermarket for some groceries.

Since her wasn’t there to assist her, Maine moved by herself to the living room. She walked slowly so she will not fall. Upon getting at the sofa, she noticed a white paper inside the half-closed drawer of her mother’s table. Curious of what was that, she pulled the drawer and got the paper. As she has read it, she stopped as if she was frozen.

“I’m home,” her mother said as she entered the door but shocked when she saw Maine holding the paper that the doctor gave. “Have you read it?” her mother asked.

“Is this true?” Maine questioned.

“Let me explain,” her mother replied.

“You knew it but you didn’t tell me. Why?” Maine exclaimed then walked out even she was almost about to fall by walking fast. Her mother ran to her both to assist her and explain her side, but Maine refused. Her mother can’t anything but to let her go.

“Maine, can I talk to you?” her mother spoke softly as she approached Maine’s bed. Maine was still angry with her mother for not telling the truth but as she really wanted to know why? She then decided to talk to her.