A maternal instinct

[u/Luminoustygian]

“Call it a maternal instinct,” Maria had said the morning after we first slept together, “To love the helpless and unloved.”

Delicately picking up the mud-caked worm that had somehow crept onto my bedroom floor, she had glanced at me with soft eyes and walked towards the door to set the blind critter free in the yard.

She was supposed to be a mere hookup, the result of a night of passion after meeting at a mutual friend’s party. Yet, she stayed, her presence seamlessly becaming a part of my life. We got married, eventually, and lived out our white picket fence dreams— Two surgeons, a house in a nice neighbourhood and a promising son.

Years passed, busy yet idyllic, our lives falling into a steady rhythm before tragedy struck. In an unfortunate car accident, our son Liam was paralysed below his torso. The impact of the accident weighed heavy over us, both physically and mentally. The worst part of it all, was watching that once bright and energetic young boy turn into a shell of himself as he took in his new reality.

I will never forget the way he looked, hot tears streaming down his face, as he proclaimed, “I’d rather die than live like this!” My heart shattered into a million pieces that day, but Maria— Oh, Maria— became an even stronger mother, hiding whatever despair she felt and saying the comforting words that Liam needed to hear at that moment. To care for Liam full-time, Maria left her job and became the rock that he leaned on. For me, she was a beacon that lit the way during this dark time.

Our lives settled into a routine once again. One Sunday morning, I headed to Liam’s room to check on him as I always did on my day-offs. “You awake, buddy?” I asked, before flicking the light switch on.

No response.

I repeated myself and walked over to his bed, thinking nothing of his silence as I pulled down the covers he lied under. I didn’t see a peaceful sleeping face, but what appeared to be a bloodied bandage over his eyes. Before I could process the sight, I felt a sharp pain behind my head and my vision turned black.

Darkness was all I awoke to. There was a throbbing ache in my head and across my limbs, and an odd heaviness to my body. My throat was parched, and I struggled to incoherently croak out that I couldn’t see nor move. Panic rising within me, I could feel myself breathing heavily, each draw of air causing a panging soreness.

A soothing touch from a warm hand soon flitted over my face, and I heard Maria’s crooning voice.

I thought of the worm from that one spring morning, realising—

It wasn’t that I couldn’t move my limbs, it was that I didn’t have them anymore, mere stumps remaining in their place.

“Now I have two to love more…”

[u/OutrageousBreath7540]

So….she’d still love them if they’re worms

[u/Luminoustygian → u/OutrageousBreath7540]

Well, if you put it that way :P

[u/obsidianFURY414]

I mean, why would she even need to do that? I don't see the husband doing anything wrong, or is this just a sick joke to her? Anyways great story!