The drive to the neighborhood pharmacy took less time than usual today.
I hurried through the front doors and grabbed the strong fever medication.
My mind was constantly filled with worry about my sick wife back home.
I paid the cashier quickly and rushed back out to my pickup truck.
As I started the engine, a sudden heavy feeling hit my chest.
Something felt completely wrong, and I knew I had to hurry back.
I stepped hard on the gas pedal and drove fast down the street.
When I pulled into the driveway, I noticed the front door was open.
My heart began to hammer loudly against my ribs in absolute terror.
I sprinted out of the vehicle and dashed inside the front hallway.
A loud clatter echoed from the upstairs master bedroom above the stairs.
I took the hardwood steps three at a time in pure panic.
"Evelyn!" I shouted as I reached the top of the dark hallway.
I saw my mother standing inside our bedroom near the large bed.
She held a heavy iron frying pan raised high up in the air.
"Get up right now!" Brenda screamed at the top of her lungs.
Evelyn was huddled against the wooden headboard, trembling in sheer terror.
My mother was preparing to bring the heavy metal object down hard.
"Stop right now!" I yelled, rushing forward into the bright room.
I lunged across the floor and threw myself between the two women.
I grabbed my mother's arms and pushed her away from the bed.
The heavy iron pan fell out of her hands and clattered loudly.
It smashed onto the hard floor, leaving a deep dark mark behind.
"What is wrong with you?" I screamed, my voice shaking with anger.
Brenda stumbled backward, her face twisted in absolute surprise and shock.
"She is just pretending to be sick!" my mother yelled right back.
"She is lazy and disrespecting me!" Brenda shouted at my face.
I stood tall in front of my sick wife, protecting her body.