The room was silent except for shallow breathing. She entered quietly, gathering her courage. She crossed the room, and sat besides the bed. She knew that her mother only had so long left, and she had to get this off her chest. She couldn't avoid this forever.
"The gardens have been blooming. Your prized roses especially. I've been taking good care of everything for you."
Silence met her words, as her mother's even breathing continued on, unhindered.
"Colby asked me out last week, you know. He took me out to that movie theater, and we watched a cheesy rom-com. Dad was so embarrassing about everything, especially when he kept messing with the front porch lights when he tried to drop me off. I know if you were there, you'd have stopped him." A laugh left her mouth, but soon died as the guilt continued to weigh on her.
"I.... I miss you. And I just wanted to say... I'm sorry. I'm sorry for not being the daughter you deserved, and not being as smart or hardworking as you were always trying to get me to be. I know.... I know you just wanted the best for me." She said, her hand reaching over the rough bed sheets, and gently grasping the more withered and sallow hand lying limply on the bed.
"I promise to do my best, and keep pushing myself to be better. I'll keep taking care of dad, too, and your garden, and I'll take care of Lisa and Mark, too." She swore, and she blinked back tears.
"I'm sorry for not coming home by curfew, and ignoring your messages. If I hadn't been out at that stupid party...." She trailed off.
If she hadn't been out past curfew, her mom wouldn't have had been in the car, driving to find her. And she wouldn't have been hit by that drunk driver, and put into the coma she was in now.
"I'm sorry for killing you."