Chapter 145 Do What She Can
\[Raelyn’s POV\]
I stand with Osiris in front of a small house with large windows and beautiful flowers surrounding it.
There’s a small porch attached with a swing that is perfect for lazing about and enjoying the view, and I find myself wondering what kind of woman Osiris’ mother is.
When he asked me if I wanted to meet her, I immediately said yes, but now that I was standing here, I had to admit I was a bit nervous.
“Come on,” Osiris says now, starting to lead me up the cobblestone walk and onto the porch.
When we reach the door, he pulls out a key and then unlocks it.
Standing in place, I wait while he pulls the door open and then takes my hand.
Just from our connection I can feel his unease over what is happening, and once again I find myself wondering about his mom.
Was she a kind woman with a gentle smile like Osiris’ or was she someone who too was crazy for power?
During the time Osiris and I had together, he didn’t speak of his family much, so I had nothing to go off of.
“Promise me one thing,” the man in question says now. “No matter what you see, you will keep your cool.”
Frowning, I turn my gaze to Osiris’ and I can see the unease that I’m feeling.
“Of course,” I tell him, giving his hand a squeeze. “How bad can it be?”
He doesn’t respond to my question. Instead, he leads me into the house, and when the smell of something foul hits me, I start to look around.
The first thing that I notice is scratches on the wall and then the lack of pictures or any sort of decorations.
The second is dust that sits on the bit of furniture in the place, making it look like no one has lived in this house for a bit.
However, that couldn’t be possible, not when Osiris was bringing me here and leading me toward a room at the back of the house where a woman sits.
She’s facing the window, her body hunched, and she is repeating something again and again.
Her long dark hair is greasy and matted, and the clothes she wears are old and ragged.
“Mom,” Osiris calls, and I hold my breath as the woman slowly turns and fixes manic eyes on us.
Remaining silent, she just stares like she doesn’t quite know who we are, which is understandable for me, but not for Osiris.
“I’ve brought someone to meet you.” Osiris continues, slowly leading me forward. “This is Raelyn, and she is your future daughter-in-law.”
“Raelyn,” the woman repeats, and my heart squeezes from how hollow her voice is. “Raelyn,” she repeats, and then she looks past us. “Has he come?”
For a moment, Osiris doesn’t speak as I realize that the person she must be referring to is Osiris’ father.
“He hasn’t,” Osiris responds. “I’ve already told you that he won’t.”
“He will.” She says softly, her voice breaking. “He loves me, and he will come see me once he finishes what he is doing.”
“He…”
“Osiris,” I say quietly, squeezing his hand again, and when he looks to me, I shake my head.
Even if the man she was waiting for wasn’t coming, this wasn’t the way to handle things.
I understood this woman’s pain well. After all, I watched my mother wither away from the same lost love as her.
“You’re right,” I say now, wanting to bring Osiris’ mother some comfort. “But before he comes, maybe we should get you and this place fixed up.”
As I speak, I gently pull my hand from Osiris’ and then move forward until I’m standing in front of his mother.
“Come on,” I say, holding out a hand and waiting. “Why don’t we get you washed up first?”
Growing quiet, I wait while the woman stares at me, her eyes almost unseeing, her expression void of all emotion.
Immediately, I wonder if she is going to refuse, but when she nods and then slowly stands from the chair she sits in, I feel a wave of relief rush through me.
“Are you sure this is a good idea?” Osiris asks as his mother takes my hand. “She will only have an attack when she discovers he isn’t coming.”
“It’s better than leaving her like this.” I tell him, starting to lead her toward the small bathroom that is just to the right of the room. “You need to handle these things delicately.”
When we reach the bathroom, I move forward and start to run the water, then wait while Osiris’ mother starts to peel off her clothes. Once she does, a hiss escapes me as I take in her bony and scarred body.
Poor thing. I think as she climbs into the bathtub. What you must have been through.
Honestly, it was shocking to see that a past luna would be treated so terribly, but was I surprised? Since there was a new luna in charge, of course she would want to make this woman’s life a living hell.
“Will he really come?”
Snapping out of my reverie, I turn my gaze to Osiris’ mother while she stares at me hopefully.
“He will,” I assure her.
Although I didn’t feel that the man in question would come, I didn’t want to see that bit of light that was forming in her eyes start to fade.
Wasn’t it better to give her some hope instead of leaving her to rot away like she was?
Honestly, I didn’t know, and I knew that I most certainly wouldn’t be able to make him come, but for now the only thing I wanted to do was bring her some comfort along with Osiris.
From the way he looked at his mom, it was clear that he cared deeply for her, but he didn’t know how to deal with her condition.
I was certain that the only reason she was still alive was because he was caring for her to the best of his abilities, but what this woman needed was a full care system.
It was clear she couldn’t care for herself and couldn’t take care of the house she was living in. She needed a caretaker and a maid to clean the place regularly. Maybe if she were given those few dignities, her condition would improve instead of worsen.
“Do you mind if I wash you?” I ask, deciding to discuss these things with Osiris once I am finished. “Or do you want to do it yourself?”
“You can,” she responds, and I get to work.
By the time I’m done, the water that she sits in is filled with dirt and grime.
Grimacing, I let it out and then start the shower so that it can rinse away the remaining grime.
When we are finished, I help the woman dry off and then change into clean underwear and a nightgown, and then I lead her back into the living room, where Osiris waits.
As his eyes come to rest on us, I see an unreadable emotion flash in them, but just as quickly as it appears, it is gone, and I’m left wondering if I saw it at all.
“Are you hungry?” He asks, coming over and taking his mother's hand. “I can go grab us a meal.”
Holding my breath, I wait while his mother considers, and when she gives a small nod, I feel a wave of relief rush through me.
Satisfied, I lead her to the couch while Osiris heads out, making it clear that he trusts me alone with her, which makes me feel a wave of gratitude.
“Shall I clean while we wait?” I offer, looking around at the dusty shelves, and when I spot a record player, I move toward it. “Would you like to listen to some music?”
At my question, she gives a small nod, and then I smile.
I begin to search through the many records that she owns, and when I find one that I recognize from my childhood, I pull it out and put it on before I start to clean.
Humming along, I work to get rid of all the dust, and once that is gone, I work on the floors.
Soon, the place is sparkling, and when I turn to see how Osiris’ mother is doing, I find that she is quietly singing along to the song playing.
Smiling, I move toward her and then take a seat so that I can listen while we wait for Osiris together.