Chapter 5 Woman's Intuition

Sarah POV

"I just don't understand... Mom seemed fine this morning." On the way to the hospital, my hands trembling slightly.

Michael took one hand off the steering wheel and gently squeezed mine. "Hey, try not to worry too much.We'll know more when we get there."

"But what if it's something worse? What if..."

"Whatever it is, we'll handle it together. She's going to be okay." His calm confidence helped steady my racing thoughts somewhat.

"Mom!" I called out as I rushed into the hospital room, finding her propped up against the pillows, pale but alert. "How do you feel? Are you hurt anywhere?"

"Sarah, I..." Her voice trailed off as the young ER doctor walked in. "Ms. Linda only fainted due to blood pressure fluctuations caused by anxiety. Nothing serious. But she insisted we run additional tests."

Mom struggled to sit up straighter. "Doctor, what about the Alzheimer's?"

My heart dropped. Alzheimer's? This was the first time I'd ever heard Mom mention any such diagnosis.

The doctor looked at her chart. "The test results don't show any signs of that."

"But that can't be right," Mom insisted. "Please check the results again."

Michael quietly approached me. "I'll go confirm with the doctor. You stay here with your mother."

I nodded, grateful for his presence.

After thirty minutes, the doctor returned with Michael. "Ma'am, I can definitively confirm you do not have Alzheimer's disease."

Mom stared at him in disbelief. "But after my car accident, the doctors told me I had symptoms of this disease."

"The symptoms can be very similar," the doctor explained. "It appears you were misdiagnosed. Post-traumatic stress can mimic Alzheimer's symptoms."

Mom covered her face, shoulders shaking. "So all these years... I've been scaring myself for nothing?" She looked up at me, guilt filling her eyes. "Sarah, I'm sorry."

I grabbed her hands. "Mom, what's there to be sorry about?"

"No!" Mom became agitated. "I was so afraid that I might lose my mind before seeing you married... I kept pushing you, forcing you to date, arranged all those blind dates..."

Mom turned to me with a determined look. "Maybe... you should just get divorced now? It's been days, and I haven't even met your husband..."

I started coughing violently, frantically pointing toward the doorway. "Eh... Mom, my husband is right there."

Mom followed my gesture and saw Michael. Her face instantly turned red, mouth slightly open, clearly unprepared for this revelation.

Michael approached warmly, extending his hand with a gentle nod. "Hello, ma'am. I'm Michael Johnson, Sarah's husband. I apologize for meeting you under these circumstances."

Mom nervously took his hand, forcing a smile. "Oh... hello. I... what I said just now was..."

"Please don't worry about it. Your concern for Sarah is completely natural. I should have visited you sooner—that's my oversight."

Mom studied Michael for a moment, then said formally, "Well, Mr. Johnson, since you're here..."

"Please, just call me Michael," he interrupted gently.

Mom nodded. "Michael, then. Since you and Sarah are married, I hope you understand that she's all I have in this world. I've raised her alone, and I just want to see her happy and settled. I hope you two can build a good life together and truly care for each other."

"I understand completely, ma'am. Sarah means everything to me, and I'll do everything in my power to make sure she's happy and safe."

I watched the exchange, feeling a mix of embarrassment and warmth at how naturally Michael handled the situation.

Later, we rode back to my small apartment together.

As soon as I opened the door, I suddenly realized how exposed our living situation would be: the living room doubled as a bedroom with a double bed and simple sofa, the small dining table held several fashion design books, and hand-drawn sketches were pinned to the walls.

"Please sit," I said, somewhat embarrassed. "It's a bit cramped, but make yourself comfortable."

Michael walked over to my wall sketches, studying them carefully. "Did you draw all these?"

I nodded self-consciously. "Yeah, just hobby sketches. Sometimes I take freelance projects."

"These designs show real creativity," Michael praised sincerely. "Why not look for fashion design work?"

My expression darkened. "I dropped out of college—no degree. Big companies won't consider me. Only small workshops occasionally hire me for projects, but the income's unstable."

"You could definitely find better opportunities than the restaurant," Michael said thoughtfully. "Actually, that reminds me—I've purchased a new apartment in Skyline Heights, two bedrooms with a great view. I'd like to invite both of you to move in with me."

I was stunned. "Skyline Heights? It's so far from the restaurant. I don't think..."

"I'll get you a car," Michael said simply. "And after what happened tonight at the restaurant, maybe it's time to consider other options. You shouldn't waste your talent in that environment."

Mom cut in. "I appreciate the offer, Michael, but I won't move. I know all the neighbors, and frankly, at my age, I'm set in my ways. But Sarah should definitely go with you."

"Mom, I can't just leave you here alone..."

"Nonsense," Mom waved dismissively. "You're married now. You need to start your new life. Besides, after today's good news about the misdiagnosis, I feel like a weight's been lifted off my shoulders. I can take care of myself just fine."

I looked between them, feeling torn but also... hopeful. "Okay," I said finally. "I'll move."

Michael smiled. "So it's settled—I'll pick you up tomorrow to move. Ten AM work for you?"

Mom answered for me before I could hesitate.. "Ten AM sounds good. She'll be ready."

We chatted for a while longer—Mom asking Michael about his work, him inquiring about her health and the hospital job, and I could see Mom warming up to him. When Michael noticed it was late, he stood to leave.

"I should let you both get some rest." He headed for the door, turning back to me. "See you tomorrow. Get some rest."

"Thank you for tonight..."

"No need to thank me. This is what I should do." Michael looked at me tenderly. "I'm your husband."

After closing the door, I turned to find Mom watching me with a knowing expression.

"What?" I asked.

Mom's face showed satisfied approval. "Oh my, I was being such a fool earlier, nearly ruining things for you two. He's reliable. I feel secure with you following him."

"Mom, you just met him..."

"Woman's intuition. Besides, living together is perfect—I might get grandchildren sooner!"

"Mom!" I protested, blushing. "Why do you always think about these things!"

Mom laughed even harder. "What's embarrassing about that?"

Just then, Mom suddenly stood up and pointed to the top of a cabinet near the dining table, noticing Michael had left his keys behind. I grabbed the keys and pushed open the door, only to find Michael standing right outside, wearing an amused smile.

"Your keys." I handed them over, my heartbeat inexplicably quickening.

"Thanks." Michael took the keys. "What were you two just discussing about me?"

"Nothing. Drive safely," I said awkwardly, quickly closing the door before he could probe further. He didn't hear Mom's conversation about grandchildren, did he?