Life's New Changes Part 10

“…This is a modern fairytale.  No happy endings. No wind in our sails.  But I can’t imagine a life without.  Breathless moments, breaking me down.  The bed is getting cold and you’re not here.  The future that we hold so unclear.  But I’m not alive until you call.  And I’ll bet the odds against it all.  Save your advice because I won’t hear it.  You might be right but I don’t care.  There is a million reasons why I should give you up.  But the heart wants what it wants…,” sang Selena Gomez over the revolving music tape in the police station, as if to mock Tiffany’s pain.  Tiffany knew it was an old song; the successful actress/singer was now in her 60’s and decided to spend her retirement with her family.  

“Jeeze, these place love to play the ‘oldies’ mom.  You must have been what, 10 when this song came out?” said Tiffany, holding back tears and wiping her nose with tissue.  

“Now, Now Tiffany don’t deflect your feelings onto me.  You are grieving and you must feel them through or else they will dominate your life in a negative way.  Feel them and let them pass.  It is the only way. You’re more powerful than you think Sweetie.  You’re stronger than most people think, including yourself,” said Stacey.  

“I’m weak, what else can I say mother!  I’m weak, I couldn’t have saved Ryan.  I couldn’t stop that psycho from killing him.  It’s all my fault,” cried Tiffany.

“Life can suck, I grant you that Tiffany.  But it is how we react to the bad parts of life that define us,” said Stacey.


“How could you possibly understand the pain I’m going through mom?  You and dad have been together forever!  What like forty years since you two married?  Ryan and I weren’t even married before he was killed by a lunatic,” responded Tiffany.

Standing up, Stacey faced her daughter visibly upset.  Raising her hand Stacey quickly slapped her daughter across the cheek.  Tiffany gasped in shock, her mother never became physical with her, ever, in her entire life.  

“Listen young lady.  I’m your mother and you don’t just assume that I don’t understand the feelings you are going through like that.  You need to show a little more respect towards me because I may have some life experience that you have not had or know about that I can convey to you,” stated Stacey sternly.

Too shocked to respond all Tiffany could do was stare at her mother agape, tears starting to form at the corner of her eyes.

“Excuse me but who is Tiffany Walker?” asked a person standing behind Stacey in a white lab coat.

Both women looked at the person.  

“Yes, I’m Tiffany Walker,” said Tiffany standing up, giving a fake smile.

“Hello Miss Walker.  My name is Dr. Luke Roberts.  I don’t know if you know but my father is the Doctor who invented body transformation.  I am happy to see that you are one of the people who decided to enter the life style of body transformation.  Unfortunately, I am here to let you know that your boyfriend, Ryan, has officially been declared dead.  Obviously, the cause of death was from a gunshot wound.  I am sorry for your loss.  I really am.  I just want you to know that my heart goes out to your plight.  I’m sure Ryan was a good man who died too soon,” said Dr. Roberts.  

Tears overwhelming Tiffany, all she could blubber was, “Thank you Doctor.  I’m grateful for your understanding.  What needs to happen for his funeral?  What do I need to do for that?”

“Well, it isn’t up to you since you aren’t Ryan’s wife.  It will be up to his parents.  From my understanding they are on their way now.  But I would like to inform you that he was indeed dead.  It is only fair to the girlfriend of the deceased that they are informed,” said Dr. Roberts.

“Thank you Doctor.  I’m thankful that you took the time to inform us,” said Tiffany, as her tears began to flow freely down her cheeks.  Tiffany dug her head into her mother’s shoulder.  Stacey just held on in comfort.    

“It’ll be ok honey.  We’ll all get through this together,” said Stacey.

Moments later, Tiffany’s cell phone rang.  Letting go of her mother, Tiffany brushed away her tears and answered her cell phone after the fourth ring.  “Hello? Um, yes my mother and I are here at the hospital.  Yes, the Doctor just informed us of Ryan’s fate and before you ask ‘yes’ he’s officially dead.  I’m so sorry.  Yes, we’ll meet up with you at the Airport.  No, it wouldn’t be a burden, we’ll be glad to pick you up.”

Hanging up the phone, Tiffany said, “Mom that was Ryan’s parents.  They have just arrived at the airport and were hoping we will pick them up.  Do you mind if we do?”

“That’s fine Tiff.  Let’s go, we don’t want to keep them waiting for too long,” said Stacey as she turned to walk towards the exit.  

“Oh mom, before we go.  I just want to say sorry for my behavior.  I just haven’t been taking all this well.  I didn’t mean to disrespect you like that,” said Tiffany as she grabbed her mother’s left arm with both of her right hands.  

Looking back at her daughter, Stacey’s facial expression softened, “It’s ok sweetie.  I know it may seem hollow and all but I’m sorry about smacking you.  I know I never did that to you and I actually regret it now that you say it.  Would you forgive an ‘old hag’ and her stubbornness?”

“Yes mother, but we will have to discuss it later because now we have to deal with Ryan’s parents and his death,” said Tiffany.

“You’re right.  Let’s go,” said Stacey as she turned back towards and quickly walked towards it.

But before Tiffany could follower her mother, Dr. Roberts stopped her by saying, “Oh miss, I would like to help you out in your circumstance.  If you choose to let me help you I wouldn’t let you down.  Here is my card.  Please give me a call in the next few days and you won’t regret it.”

Taking the card from Dr. Roberts Tiffany said, “Thank you Doctor.  I’ll be sure to do so.”  

Without another word Tiffany turned and ran after her mother.