"Mom"

Posted on Tue Mar 1st, 2022 @ 11:10am by Lieutenant Tate Sullivan Ph.D.

Mission: MISSION 0 - History Speaks
Location: Mess Hall, USS Elysium
560 words - 1.1 OF Standard Post Measure

Sitting in a practically empty mess hall holding a PADD containing a message she had to read at least twice before she fully comprehended it, Tate Sullivan wiped away wetness from her eyes that she hadn't realized was there.

Reading the message for a third time, Tate tried to absorb the news and formulate a plan. As she scrolled through, she read:

My Dearest Tate,

I'm writing to let you know your mother is in the hospital in serious condition. I hope you'll forgive me for not writing as soon as events unfolded, but your mother insisted we not tell you anything until we knew more. I know what you're thinking, sweetheart, but try not to be too angry. Your mother isn't dying. Even if she was, however, I would not offer news like that over a subspace message. This is nothing like when your birth mother died, OK?

I'm sure you'll understand the medical details better than I do, but focusing on the facts, here's what I know: Mom went into the hospital for a routine knee replacement as planned. The surgery went well, but she ended up staying in the hospital for a couple of extra days because the anesthesia worked a little too well and she wasn't able to bear her own weight as soon as the doctors would've liked. I don't care how advanced medical technology is these days, every sentient being is different and no matter what doctors these days say, some reactions are just not predictable.

She came home from surgery and was encouraged to stay on a few heavy painkillers for at least a couple of days. When the fever developed and she started to complain of abdominal pain, the surgeon felt sure there was something wrong with her incision, but everything looked perfect. He couldn't explain her stomach pain, but he dismissed it as one of those potentially "weird side effects" that some people get from even the most commonly used medication's. To cut a long story short, the stomach pain continued and your mother was eventually diagnosed with a serious infection that required immediate treatment. I promised your mother I would spare you the gory details, but it would be unfair of me to downplay the seriousness of her illness. We are hoping the antibiotics will take care of things, and I promise sweetheart, the doctors don't seem to scare easily. We promised we would never lie to you, and I wasn't about to break that promise, even though we bent it slightly.

I'm sure right about now you are kicking yourself for not taking leave when you could to spend time with us as a family, but I want you to put that thought out of your mind. Remember, your mother and I had many years in Starfleet under our belts even before we adopted you, so we understand you can't always hop on a shuttle to run home. Even if you could, please know we wouldn't want you to. You have more important things to do than simply sitting with your old mom and dad regaling us with stories of your adventures. We are so proud of you, Tate, and we know you will do us all proud. Reach out to us as soon as you are able, but in the meantime, know we will be OK.

Love,
~Dad