I got off the train taking a look up at the grey sky. More snowflakes were fluttering by than earlier and the wind had gotten colder. Perhaps it was a sign that I shouldn’t go in. The hospital was just to my right and without me going I knew she wasn’t going to approve as usual. It’s not like I wasn’t used to it by now and if I didn’t go in it would’ve been a wasted trip.

“Hey, Kitten!” A pair of arms wrapped around my shoulders from behind. Without me looking it was obvious that it was my brother, “It seems like you’ve finally gotten up to something interesting, hmm?” He asked teasingly as he brushed a hand along my neck.

Shit, I forgot about the bite mark… “Get off of me you idiot!” I sent an elbow to the brown-haired cat’s rib cage earning a groan and a laugh from him, “I’m barely younger than you and furthermore what I get up to is none of your business!” I huffed with a scowl as I covered my neck with my fingers hiding the mark from view.

“I know…” My brother sighed suddenly frowning as he looked up at the building before us, “I don’t want to go in either, you know?” We stared at each other a moment in understanding, “I hate the way she talks to me and you both…”

“Yeah, but we’re here now aren’t we…” I started toward the door, “Besides, she’s still our mother…”

“That shouldn’t give someone the right to treat anyone that way, should it?” He scoffed hurrying after me, “As far as I’m concerned it doesn’t matter whether she's my mother or not.”

“I suppose you’re right…” I paused coming to a halt just before the door, “And yet, we’re both here, aren’t we… Somehow no matter how far I run from her I always come back. Despite everything, I still think I would regret not being here knowing she’s dying.”

. . .

“My boys!” An orange-haired cat scooped my brother and me into his arms, “I really wish you two would come to visit me sometime!”

“You’re right, Dad…” I gave the man’s back a gentle pat, “I’ve been really busy with school and all. Thanks for always being there for me…”

“It really seems like you’ve been busy!” The man chuckled giving my neck a poke, “You should’ve told me that you finally got a lover!”

“Shut up!” I turned a light shade of red as I turned my eyes away from the man, “If I knew it was going to be this much trouble…”

“I can’t help but tease you!” He laughed again giving my hair a ruffle, “You two are my children, so I can’t help it.”

“Dad, more to the point, what’re you doing here?” My brother asked as the older man finally released us, “I mean you and mom haven’t been together for a long time, so…”

“I’m the one who called you here, remember.” My father answered swiftly with a mildly somber expression, “I still care about her… Who knows as to why…”

. . .

I froze in front of her room staring at her mostly motionless body and the gentle movements of her chest up and down. Her breath puffed gently in the oxygen mask. As if responding to my presence her eyes slowly opened smiling in their own way.

“Starburst…” She wheezed through heavy breaths, “I’m so glad to see you again, my boy… My youngest…”

I swallowed softly suddenly aware my heart thumping like thunder in my ears as I padded toward the weak woman cautiously, “Hey, Mom…” I found my place at the woman’s side tenderly taking one of her hands into mine, “How’re you feeling?”

She gave a cough as she beckoned for me to get closer, “Pretty awful if I’m honest…” Her eyes fell from my face to my neck focusing on the two pinpricks there. The woman’s hand started its shaky voyage toward the marks touching them with a slight frown, “I won’t say anything today… It’s not the time… I’m sorry that I don’t quite understand, but I still want to be happy for you, my son… Just… Just tell me. Are they good to you?”

I placed my palm against the cold fingers on my neck, “You should know without asking me.” The tears almost spilled down my cheeks as I trembled slightly against the woman’s touch, “I wouldn’t stay if he wasn’t the most amazing, wonderful person I’ve ever met.” We both fell silent as my tears finally trickled down my cheeks finding their way to a dark spot on her nightgown, “I love you, Mom…” I held back the sorrow as much as I could, “The others are here too…”

“Hmm, you’re right…” She made a glance at the other two catboys in the doorway, “Well, what’re waiting for?” She half-way shouted in a hoarse holler, “Are you waiting for me to die or what? Ricki, how ‘bout you next? You’re not still afraid of me, are you?”

“Of course not, Ma’am!” She looked unconvinced as my brother took my place at her side, “Mom…” The boy whimpered his eyes already dewy as he leaned over the woman.

“Shh… Ricki… It’s alright.” She hardly had the strength to raise her arm now, “Don’t cry over me. I don’t deserve it. After all the pain I’ve caused you all. I don’t deserve it.”

“Don’t say that!” Ricki squeaked through his tears, “I’ll really miss you, Mom! Hell, I already miss you! How long has it been already?!?”

“And, it’s my fault that things have ended up this way, now isn’t it?” The woman gave a dry laugh another cough immediately following it, “Ricki, you’re a good man… Make your father proud, will you?”

“Yes, Ma’am…”

“Jordan, you’re one of my boys to, so get your ass over here.” Her patience was wearing thin as the light ever so slightly started to fade from her eyes, “Jordan my I really wish I’d never divorced you.”

“I know.”

“Cocky bastard…” She smirked taking a wide glance at all of us, “I’m sorry to all of you for the life I’ve lived…” She tapped at my father’s arm, “Come ‘ere, Love…” He leaned down as she used her last bit of strength to wrap her arms around his neck kissing his lips lightly before letting out an almost relieved sigh, “I love you all so much…”

. . .

After everything had come to a close at the hospital, I found a hotel near the station and collapsed there sleeping until my body refused to rest anymore. The last traces of sunlight were just lingering above the horizon as I made a reach for my phone. The others lived nearby and had made their way to their own homes. They had offered me a place for the night, but I hadn’t felt like being around others at the time and now I felt painfully alone.

I quickly scrolled down my contacts waiting for the number to connect, “Hey, Onyx…” I mumbled into the receiver, “Could you pick me up, please? I really don’t want to go home by myself…”