With Love: The Motherland

/Chapter 1/

If you had told Jackson Redmond that three years after his girlfriend's death he would be sitting in front of a doctor as he's told that his son has Leukemia, he would have laughed in your face.

But sure enough a week after the three-year anniversary of Taylor's death, the 28-year-old man found himself breaking down in front of the white-haired doctor. His son lay asleep just 2 feet away oblivious to all that was going on. The older man pats the younger man on the shoulder before stepping out to give him privacy.

Jackson sits in the hard plastic chair for an hour straight. Even after he finishes crying he doesn't even have the strength to look over at his son. The only sound that can now be heard was the Beeps that come from the machine and the soft breathing that come from Caspian.

It was almost 4 am but sleep was the last thing his body wanted to do. He was craving coffee, pure black coffee, like the ones Taylor used to make him every morning. She was never able to make it as best as his grandmother but it came close to it.

Right as he was about to head to the cafe the white-haired doctor and the chief knocked on the door before coming in.

The old man gives Jackson a sad smile, "Mr. Redmond, as you know today was my last day-"

Jackson frowns, "My son-"

"I assure you Caspian is in good hands. Doctor Mahiri is the best pediatric Oncologist in the building. She will be here at 7 am sharp so you and Caspian can have the chance of meeting her before her shift begins".

Jackson stays silent as the wheels in his brain turn. He would much rather have a male doctor and the last name Mahiri was not one that he recognizes as English either.

Please don't tell me it's a foreigner.

Dr. Smith holds out his hand, "I wish you all the best Mr. Redmond".

Jackson shakes his hand not bothering to reply. He was annoyed that the old man had to retire right after Caspian's diagnosis. The three men give him pity looks before walking out of the room.

His mind is heavy and he no longer wants coffee. He just wants to disappear, he wants to wake up from this nightmare that happened two weeks ago when he brought Caspian in due to a stomach ache that has now progressed to a Leukemia diagnosis.

Without any strength left in him, he allows sleep to carry him away.

***

At 6:30 am, Jackson's eyes snap open as he leaves the nightmare that he's been having since Taylor's death. Only this time Caspian had been with his mother and they died in the car together. It kills him to even think it, but his son looks dead as he lays completely still in the hospital bed. The only thing that assure him that the child was alive, was the beeping sounds coming from the machines.

After kissing the blond hair on his son's head, he walks to the men's bathroom and rinses his face in the sink then dries it with paper towels.

It had been two weeks since he shaved and his greasy hair was messed up due to raking his fingers through it. And the bags under his green eyes were evidence that he hadn't slept well in the last two weeks.

Reaching into his black backpack he pulls out the travel-size Listerine mouthwash. There was nothing he hates more than the feeling of a dirty mouth and he also wants to make a good first impression on the new doctor.

He swipes the cherry chapstick over his dry lips and heads out to get coffee. It has been three days since Jackson has eaten a full meal. Recently the only thing that appetites him was coffee and blueberry Belvita biscuits. With coffee and the biscuits in his hand, he walks back to Caspians room.

"...You get to be the first to pick a teddy out because I haven't visited the other children yet".

"Really? And he's mine forever?", Jackson can hear the excitement in his son's voice.

"Of Course! You get to name him, bring him to every visit-"

Pushing the door open and stepping inside he looks at the dark-skinned woman that sat beside his son's bed. His face immediately goes red with anger.

They hired a n*gger to take care of my son?

"Oh, Mr. Redmond! I'm Dr. Mahiri. I was told Dr. Smith already made you aware that I was...sir are you ok?"

The young women's eyes follow Jackson's that had been staring at her hand that was holding Caspian's.

She quickly lets go of the child's hand and stands up, "Where are my manners? let's start over. I'm Dr. Mahiri and I am Caspian's new doctor".

Jackson stares down at the brown hand that she was offering him then back up to her light brown eyes that stand out against her dark skin.

This has to be a joke

The young woman awkwardly retrieves her hand and offers him a small smile, "I brought a few teddy bears that I'm giving to each of my kids. Cas over here is lucky to get the first pick!"

She walks back to Caspian's bed and bends over to pick up the big brown box that was filled with teddy bears. In horror, Jackson watches as his son picks out a brown teddy bear with brown eyes and a red bow tie.

The black woman smiles at the boy and strokes his hair, "I'll see you later today Cas".

She picks up the box and heads past Jackson to the door, "I'll see you later as well Mr. Redmond. Please feel free to contact me with any concerns".

This time he manages a nod. She didn't know but it, but that's exactly what he was going to do. But it won't be her he was going to contact. Jackson was going to take it up to the boss himself.

Thoughts on Jackson?

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