LOVE BURIED WITH MY SON

My heartbeat became erratic as I stood next to my son’s lifeless body. Tears formed in my eyes and slowly streamed down my pale face. I wanted to scream, calling out for his name but no sound came out of my trembling lips. There was nothing more painful for a mother than seeing their precious child’s dead body. It felt like the end of everything for me, and I couldn’t stop asking why it had to be my son.

Jeremy was supposed to take the SAT exam. So, how did he end up in a mortuary like this?

Who should I blame for what happened?

My mind flashed the memories that happened an hour ago. I held Jeremy’s cold hand and closed my eyes to reminisce about the last hour I spent with him. It all started when David, a jerk husband of mine, drove someone other than his son and wife, who was hurrying to the test center.

I remembered asking David why he would drop us off, but his only reply was the common ‘none of your business’ phrase.

“I promised Karen that I’ll keep her company today. You can get a taxi if you’re in a hurry,” David mumbled after forcing us to get out of the car.

“David! This isn’t funny. We’re running out of time and Jeremy needs to be there before the exam starts—Ugh!” I didn’t even finish my sentence when the demon’s spawn David sped off, leaving us with nothing but smoke.

“I’m sorry about that, sweetheart. Don’t worry, we’ll get a taxi to get us there,” I assured my son and patted his back. I was close to crying but I needed to be strong for him. As much as possible, I didn’t want Jeremy to worry about anything else but the test.

Two minutes passed and there was no sign of a taxi or any other possible transportation. David could have dropped us off somewhere close to a station but he decided to leave us on the highway.

“Mom, what if we try walking our way there? We might be able to find a taxi as we walk instead of waiting here,” Jeremy suggested. He was sweating cold and I knew why.

Jeremy prepared for this exam and I believed that he could make it. It would be a total shame if he missed this opportunity he had been waiting for.

“Okay. Let’s do that,” I agreed, taking his bag from him and carrying it on my back. “Let me do this for you, sweetheart. This is the least I can do at this moment.” I smiled as he nodded.

Almost half an hour passed and we could already see the test center ahead. There was still no taxi so we decided to continue walking, Nah, we were running toward the test center.

“Mom, hurry!” Jeremy cried as he ran ahead while fixing his gaze at the gate that was about to close.

“Don’t mind me, sweetheart. Run! You can make it!” I replied while catching my breath.

Jeremy ran as fast as he could but before he could reach the gate, it was already shut.

“No! Please, let me in. Please!” Jeremy begged the guards who nonchalantly shook their heads at my son’s plea.

I rushed toward Jeremy to comfort him. My heart ached watching him pained and disappointed. If only David had driven us here earlier before tending to his other business, Jeremy wouldn’t have been late.

“I was so close, Mom. Why did this happen? I’ve been waiting for this day!” Jeremy cried with his hands covering his face as he kneel on the ground.

“It’s okay, sweetheart. You did your best to get here. We’ll make it next time, I promise. I will make sure you won’t be late like this again,” I whispered, bending down to hug Jeremy.

I didn’t care even though people were watching us. My son needed me so I have to be by his side. However, I couldn’t understand why there were people who had the ball to judge our situation while we were in despair.

“This wouldn’t happen if they came on time. It’s a SAT! You have to be early to avoid this kind of situation,” a passerby commented.

“Indeed. Who comes late to take the SAT? I don’t want to spoil it for her son but I could already guess his result if he ever managed to take the exam. Coming late shows a lot about his character. People like that wouldn’t succeed in life,” another added.

I covered Jeremy’s ears as I glared at them. They didn’t know what happened and we didn’t need their opinion.

“It’s all his fault, Mom… It’s Dad’s fault! He always does whatever he wants without thinking about us! If he didn’t leave us in the middle of nowhere, we could have made it here on time!” Jeremy blurted out with a shaking voice. Clenching his fists, he stood up and looked at me with his tear-filled eyes.

“It’s all because of him. This is too much! He never cared for us, Mom! I cannot forgive him! I cannot—Ah! M-Mom… Ugh! M-My chest hurts…” Jeremy fell on his back while clutching his chest. His eyes were wide open as he groaned and asked for help.

“Oh no! Jeremy! H-Help! Help my son! Please, help us!” I cried, begging everyone around.

I was thankful when a few people came forward to help while others called for an ambulance. My heart was pounding so hard as they put Jeremy on the stretcher and carried him to the ambulance.

I was biting my lower lip while fishing my phone out of my purse to call David. He owned the best hospital in the city and his son needed urgent treatment from that hospital so I dialed his number.

“David! Thank goodness, you answered—”

“What do you want? David is currently busy. Can you not disturb him at work?” Karen’s voice exploded in my head.