[ WP ] A mortal mother , close to death , pays a visit to her immortal son .

The wrinkles on her leathery face became much more pronounced when she smiled up at me. Her frail hand was held in mine. As I felt her grip losing strength, I tightened my own. Her skin was draped over her bones, reminiscent of the tablecloths she would set out when I was a child. My eyes observed every decaying part of her exterior body, taking in things that myself would never experience. She stared up at me with glossy eyes, the light above defining the tears that streamed down her face. Using my free hand, I wiped them away from her cheek. 
 
 `` Do n't be afraid, mother,'' I spat out. Her smile grew as her grip waned. She was reassigning her final moments of strength to her face. Soft words were spoken as she opened her mouth. 
 
 `` I am... am not afraid, my dear. I cry not out of fear, but for my eternal joy.'' She closed her mouth and smiled even wider than before. The wrinkles deepened, causing dark creases in her face. 
 
 `` Save your strength, mother. You need to breathe,'' I plead. Since I was a toddler, I had never been afraid of anything in my entire life. On this day I learned what fear was. My mother lie before me dying, and for once I did not know what to do. I was afraid. 
 
 `` I need not breathe darling, this... this is my final... final-'' 
 
 `` And I will be with you throughout all of it. I love you, mum.'' 
 
 `` I... love you too. Always, and for... ever.'' 
 
 Tears swelled in my eyes. 
 
 `` I love you too, mom. Always and forever.'' 
 
 She smiled weakly. 
 
 `` I know you will.'' 
 
 I no longer felt her gripping my hand. The tears now streamed down my face, falling onto her. There I sat by her side for what must have been forever.
