"You have to go now Ma'am. Alfred needs to be prepped for surgery." A Dr, whose name read Lian on his ward coat, said through French accent.
Alfred's hands clutched tightly against her palms.
"Don't leave me Ma!!' His eyes pleading desperately. Ava knew it was time she strengthened her son.She had cried enough, and played the self-pity plot in her head too long.
Grasping his hand in both her arms, her eyes full of strength and love, locked fully and unblinking with his.
"Listen Alfred. This is not the last l'll see of you, you hear me?"
Alfred rubbed his eyes, and nodded. "You'll stay till l'm out?"
"I'll stay." Ava whispered brokenly. The clanging noise of metal surgical instruments, and the hustling footsteps around the room, became a crushing weight, she thought she would faint.
"Where is Maria, Mama?" Alfred scanned the room for her. The last thing he could remember was laying his head on her lap. He had blanked out thereafter.
"She's outside, waiting to hold you again."
