"Letting Go"

As Ashley held her mother's hand, she felt the life force ebbing away, the beeps of the machines growing slower and more labored. Her mother's eyes, once bright and full of love, began to glaze over, and Ashley knew that she was taking her last breath. With one final squeeze, Ashley held on as her mother's body stilled, her chest no longer rising and falling. The machines flatlined, and the room fell silent, except for Ashley's anguished sobs. She felt like she was drowning in a sea of grief, unable to catch her breath, unable to let go. The nurse rushed over, her face somber, and gently took Ashley's mother's hand from her grasp. "I'm so sorry, Ashley," the nurse whispered, her eyes filled with compassion. Ashley's world went dark as she rocked back and forth, holding onto her mother's lifeless hand. The nurse's words were muffled, but she knew she was being told that her mother was gone. More nurses came into the room, their faces somber, and Ashley knew they were there to take her mother's body away. She felt a sense of detachment as they carefully placed her mother's body onto a gurney, and began to wheel it out of the room. As the gurney passed by, Ashley caught a glimpse of the white sheet that covered her mother's body, and she felt a shiver run down her spine. The nurses moved efficiently, but Ashley knew they were trying to be gentle, to show respect for the woman who had been her rock. Just as the gurney was about to disappear from view, Ashley heard a small voice behind her. "Mommy, you're sad," Ender cried, his tiny body running towards her. Ashley turned, and her heart broke all over again as she saw Ender's tears-stained face. She opened her arms, and he ran into them, wrapping his small arms around her waist. "Yes, baby, Mommy is sad," Ashley whispered, holding him tight. "My mom went to sleep, and she's not coming back." Ender looked up at her, his eyes wide with confusion and fear. "Where did she go?" he asked, his voice trembling. Ashley took a deep breath, trying to find the words to explain something that she didn't fully understand herself. But before she could say anything, Ender buried his face in her chest, and began to cry. As she held him tight, Ashley felt her own tears fall, and she knew that she had to be strong, for Ender's sake. She took a deep breath, and whispered softly into his ear. "It's okay, baby. I'm here for you. I'll always be here for you." The nurse approached them, a somber look on her face. "Ashley, we'll need to take your mother's body to the morgue now. We'll make sure everything is taken care of." Ashley nodded, still holding Ender tight. She knew that this was just the beginning of a long and difficult journey, but she was determined to face it head-on, for Ender's sake, and for her mother's memory.