I Became a Kindergarten Teacher for Monster Babies! -
Chapter 83 Visiting mom
Chapter 83: Chapter 83 Visiting mom
Alina’s small car hummed gently as it wound through the narrow Black Leaf Forest road. The tall, shadowy trees rose up on both sides like dark sentinels, but they didn’t feel nearly as frightening as they had the first day she’d arrived.
The wheels crunched over fallen leaves, and every now and then a streak of sunlight broke through the canopy, landing on her dashboard like tiny threads of gold. She gripped the wheel loosely, a soft, dreamy smile curving her lips. They chose me, she thought, her heart skipping all over again. They really chose me.
Her eyes sparkled when she remembered Boo’s tiny ghost hug, Drake’s loud promise, Rocky’s shy squeak, Lucian’s quiet nod. Even Felix’s little shrug. I’m their teacher, she told herself. Not just for the trial but for real.
She turned the heater on a bit more, the forest’s early evening chill brushing the window. For the first time, the forest road didn’t feel like it was swallowing her whole.. it felt gentle, calm.
The dark trees no longer seemed like claws, but more like tall, watchful guardians.
She slowed slightly at a bend, glancing at the time on the dashboard clock. I’ll visit Mom first, she decided, her chest tightening with a warm, tender ache. Tell her I got the stable job... maybe bring her something sweet.
Her fingers drummed on the steering wheel as she planned. Maybe I’ll stay in that cheap little hotel near the hospital tonight.
As her headlights broke through the last line of trees, the forest opened up to the small lights of town in the distance. Alina felt her shoulders relax. Even the shadows felt softer tonight like they were waving her goodbye.
***
Alina parked her car carefully outside the hospital, her fingers tapping the steering wheel for a moment as she gathered herself. She reached over and picked up the small bundle she’d prepared — her mother’s favorite chocolate box tied with a soft ribbon, a tiny bouquet of fresh flowers she’d chosen from the stall near the bus stop, and a small, sweet-smelling hand cream from the hospital shop.
Just something tiny... but she’ll smile, Alina thought, hugging the gifts to her chest as she stepped out into the cool evening air.
Inside, the hospital corridors were quiet, the soft hum of machines and the faint rustle of nurses’ shoes echoing in her ears. She moved automatically, her feet carrying her down that familiar hallway she’d walked so many times to the old lift that rattled just a little, then up to the fifth floor, past the faded sign that read Long-Term Ward.
She paused outside her mother’s room just as a nurse stepped out, gently closing the door behind her. It was Nurse Ana — the one who always gave Alina a little extra blanket when she stayed too late.
The nurse’s tired eyes softened when she saw her. "Alina," she said, her voice gentle, as if she didn’t want to wake the whole floor.
Alina gave her a small smile, shifting the flowers in her arms. "How is she today?"
Nurse Ana glanced back at the closed door, her lips twitching in a sad, hopeful way. "Good luck today. She’s awake now — she’s been fighting hard, you know. Brave woman, your mother."
Alina’s throat tightened at the pity in the nurse’s eyes. She forced her smile a little wider, blinking quickly. "Thank you... I’ll sit with her a while."
The nurse patted her shoulder, then moved down the hall. Alina let out a shaky breath, pressing her palm against the cool door for just a moment. Then she pushed it open, stepping inside.
The small ward room smelled faintly of fresh sheets and medicine. Soft evening light fell across the bed where Amelia Hart lay propped up by two pillows, a thin blanket tucked carefully around her frail frame. Her once-lush hair had vanished, but her lashes still looked long and gentle as they fluttered slowly, adjusting to the light.
When her mother’s eyes opened and found her, there was a tiny spark of life there — soft and warm like a candle in the dark.
Alina’s heart squeezed tight. She stepped closer, setting the chocolates, flowers, and little cream down on the small bedside table.
"Hi, Mama," she whispered, her voice trembling but light. "Look... I brought your favorite. And flowers too. I... I have something to tell you..."
She pulled up the chair by the bed and sat down, her fingers brushing gently over her mother’s thin, cool hand.
Amelia blinked slowly, her dry lips curling into the faintest, sleepy smile as if even in her tiredness, she could feel her daughter’s joy.
Amelia’s eyes fluttered weakly, lashes trembling as they found Alina’s face. Her dry lips parted, the faintest sound slipping out, her words slow and slurred but warm enough to soften every corner of Alina’s heart.
"H-how... are you... doing, Lina?" she whispered, each word like pulling breath from a well too deep.
Alina’s chest squeezed tight. She leaned closer, holding her mother’s frail hand between both of hers, letting her warmth sink into her mother’s cold skin. She pressed a small kiss to her knuckles, her voice soft but bright.
"I’m good, Mama," she said, her eyes stinging as she smiled. "I’m really good. I got a job — a real, stable one this time. A sweet kindergarten in a quiet little town... it’s small, but they like me there."
Amelia’s lashes fluttered again. The faintest ghost of a smile tugged at the edge of her lips.
Alina’s words poured out in a warm, hushed rush, careful not to let the truth peek through. "The kids are so sweet, Mama. They’re... they’re a handful sometimes, but they’re all so special in their own way. There’s a little boy who’s always bragging, one who loves telling funny secrets. Some of them are shy, but they’re trying so hard. You’d love them if you saw them."
Her mother’s eyes glimmered, tired but still soft. Her thumb twitched against Alina’s palm, the barest squeeze that sent an ache through her chest.
She leaned her forehead to her mother’s shoulder, breathing in the faint scent of hospital soap and the softness that would always be home. Her voice dropped to a gentle whisper only the walls would hear.
"Don’t worry about me, Mama. I promise I’ll be okay. I’ll work hard, take care of my little class, and come see you every chance I get." She paused, her lips trembling. "You just rest now. Just keep fighting, okay? When you’re better, I’ll tell you every silly story about them."
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