My Brother Became a Vegetable To Save Me Novel by NANCY ROWSE

My mother stumbled from the hospital room to the entrance, her heart racing with fear as she saw my brother get into a taxi. She pulled out her phone, dialing as she drove, chasing after him. Each call was met with disconnection, yet she redialed repeatedly.

“Please pick up, Lukie.”

“I was wrong, Lukie. Please answer”

Before her words could finish, tears fell onto her phone. I sat in the passenger seat, watching her, feeling nothing but sorrow as I became increasingly transparent. I reached out to cover her eyes and leaned close to her ear, whispering, “I will never forgive you and Dad.”

My mother shuddered, and I knew she heard me.

Great, I finally told her straight up.

Then, with a sudden “bang” her car collided with a large truck at the corner. The street erupted into chaos–screams and shouts filled the air. Some called for the police, while others shouted for an ambulance.

My mother slumped in her seat, blood covering her. Crimson liquid streamed from her forehead down her cheek. I stood calmly beside her, watching as her life ebbed away, moment by moment.

They say that at the brink of death, one can see things usually invisible. My mother struggled to open her eyes, her expression shifting from shock to sorrow, mixed with emotions I couldn’t decipher.

She strained to speak, “Lydia… Lia.”

I floated closer, face–to–face with her. “Don’t call me that; I’m no longer your child.”

“On that night, I returned everything to you.”

“Including this name!”

“I returned everything to you.“”

With my last ounce of strength, I turned and stepped into the void.

I heard my mother’s voice, nearly pleading: “My child, please forgive me.”

“I’m so sorry; it’s your father and me who failed you.”

I didn’t respond, nor did I accept her apology. A voice echoed in my mind: “Is it worth vanishing from the world just to tell her this?”

I smiled softly, indifferent to whether it was worth it or not. I came from chaos, and ultimately, I would return to chaos.

At least now, I no longer belonged to anyone,

I was no longer anyone’s child.

I belonged only to myself.

Epilogue: An Unexpected Visitor