When We Meet Again

Melvin returned to the ward to announce that they could head home now; her discharge had been approved. "You should help your wife get to the car," his mother said.

"That will not be necessary," Charlotte said quickly as she tried to stand up.

Melvin helped her up even when she insisted that she could stand up herself. He held her until they got to the car and made her sit beside him at the front while his mom and sister sat behind them. The drive home was quiet for a while until Mia tried to start up a conversation. They got to the house and Mia helped Charlotte get settled in the chair.

"I will get you a cup of water," Melvin said.

"Mia, you should get the water for her. I need to speak to Melvin," his mother said. "You should also ask Mrs. Matt to set up the table. Food should be ready by now. Charlotte needs to take her drugs."

Melvin and his mother went outside the house to talk leaving only Charlotte in the living room. Mia headed to the kitchen to convey her mother's message and also got Charlotte a cup of water to drink. She returned to the living room a few minutes later and handed over the cup of water to Charlotte before sitting beside her chat with her. Mrs. Matt showed up a few minutes later to tell them that the table had been set.

"You should head to the dining table. I will get my mother and brother" Mia said.

Charlotte went to the dining table alone while Mia outside to call her mother and brother; they joined Charlotte a few minutes later. Eating was a bit difficult for Charlotte; she was wounded on her right hand. To put everyone's mind at rest, she tried to use her left hand. Mia offered to help feed her but Charlotte kindly declined her offer.

"I will feed you," Melvin said and Charlotte's eyes widened in shock.

She had not expected Melvin to offer to help her; she could not say a word. Melvin stood up to sit beside her.

"What should I start with?" He asked.

"You don't have to do this," Charlotte mumbled but he ignored her.

"Do you want fish? Or meat? Or maybe pasta,"

Charlotte sighed. She could tell he wasn't doing this because he cared but because he didn't want his family to be worried. She also didn't want them to be worried, so she played along. She pointed at the pasta. "I want this."

Melvin began to feed her based on what she wanted. His mother stared at them in admiration, wishing her husband was alive to see them getting along with each other. Mia was happy too; she kept stealing glances at them. After lunch, Mia ensured that Charlotte took her drugs before helping her to the room.

"Thank you, Mia," Charlotte said, after she had settled down on the bed.

"You don't have to thank me. I must do this. After all, I am the cause of it" Mia answered.

Mia still felt guilty about the whole thing. She believed it was her negligence that had led to Charlotte's injury. Charlotte, on the other hand, felt sorry for Mia; she could tell that she still felt guilty about what had happened. Charlotte wished Mia would stop blaming herself; it wasn't her fault. Charlotte decided to tell Mia that her accident wasn't her fault and she didn't have to feel indebted to her. She held Mia's hand with her left hand. "Mia, can you stop feeling guilty about this? It's not your fault, okay?"

Mia shook her head. "I know you are trying to make me feel better but that doesn't change the fact that I am the cause of..."

"You're not the cause, Mia. Accidents are bound to happen. You should stop blaming yourself. Look at it this way. You did not ask for my help. I am the one who decided to save you. So how is that your fault?"

Mia sighed. She knows that Charlotte doesn't want her to feel guilty about the incident. She has to listen to her.

She smiled. "If you don't want me to feel guilty and blame myself, then I won't."

Charlotte smiled. "I do not you. It's not your fault"

Mia patted Charlotte's hand. "Thank you."

**

In the evening, Mia helped Charlotte to clean up her wound and change the bandage into a new one. Charlotte was appreciative of Mia's help; she was happy Mia was there to help out. "Is your brother back yet?" She asked after Mia announced she was done.

"I don't think so," Mia answered.

Charlotte sighed. Mia had told her that Melvin left the house a while ago; she wondered why he had not returned yet.

"Do you want me to get you anything?" Mia asked. "Maybe a drink or some cookies. Should I just make you some cookies?"

"I would love to have some cookies," Charlotte answered. "But will that not be too stressful for you?"

"You know how much I love to cook,"

Charlotte nodded. "Of course, I know."

"Then you should know cooking will not be stressful for me. I should get to work. I will be right back."

Mia headed downstairs to the kitchen. While Charlotte waited, she decided to read a book. There was a knock on her door. She could tell it wasn't Mia; she would not have come back so soon. "The door is open." She said as she stood up to open the door but it opened before she could get to the door.

It was her mother-in-law. Charlotte offered her a seat, while she sat down on the bed.

"How are you feeling, Charlotte?" She asked.

"I feel better," Charlotte replied.

There was silence for a few seconds until she spoke up.

"I came to say thank you," his mother began.

Charlotte furrowed her brows. She could not understand why she was being appreciated.

"Why are you thanking me, mother?" Charlotte asked.

"For saving Mia. I should have thanked you earlier..."

"You don't have to thank me, mother. Mia is like my little sister." Charlotte answered.

She smiled. "Thank you for not blaming Mia for the accident. I know how guilty she feels. Thank you for not making it hard for her."

Charlotte smiled but said nothing. She feels so happy about her mother-in-law's attitude towards her.

"Thank you for joining this family," she said and Charlotte smiled.

"Thank you for accepting me, mother."

Her mother-in-law stood up. "You should come downstairs for dinner. I made something special for you. You will love it." "Thank you, mother," Charlotte said.

She headed downstairs with her and sat at the dining table.

"Mrs. Matt?" Her mother-in-law called out.

"Yes, ma'am." Mrs. Matt answered.

"You can serve the food now."

Mia walked out of the kitchen with Mrs. Matt. Mia sat down.

"I don't think you can eat the cookies now. Mom already made something delicious for you to eat." Mia said.

"I can have the cookies later then," Charlotte answered.

"Mrs. Matt, can you please pack up the cookies for me when you get to the kitchen?" Mia asked.

"Of course, young Mistress."

"I am feeding you," Mia said.

"I can't feed myself using my left hand. You don't have to..."

"Don't say no please,"

Charlotte smiled. "Fine. But I will be feeding myself from tomorrow."

Mia nodded. "That won't be a problem."