-S-
Sara knocked on Michelle's door after she talked to her mother. Michelle noticed something was wrong when she saw Sara' pale face.
"What's wrong?"
"I don't even know what to say." Sara was shocked and could not think straight. Sara told her how Keith tried to finish his life by taking pills. Michelle also was surprised, and she comforted Sara.
"It's ok. If they found him and washed out his stomach, he will be fine. Trust me."
"Why...did he do that? Is it because of me?" Sara's voice was shaking.
"It's not your fault. Don't even think like that."
"But what if I treated him differently..."
"No, you were very kind."
"What if he doesn't wake up or he tries something like this again? I think I should go see him."
"You can if you want to, but I won't let you leave now. Look at you shivering. You are in shock now." Sara sat down on Michelle's bed. Tears fell down her face and she started crying out loud. Sara could believe it really happened and she thought it was because she told him that she would not meet him. Michelle brought tissues for Sara.
“If I see him again, I am going to punch him in the face.” Michelle was upset.
“Don’t say that.”
“What kind of freaks do that? This is stupid. It’s worse than the cheap soap opera. Half of humans are women, and Sara, you don’t even know if it was because of you. There must be something else going on, too.”
“What if he does not wake up?”
“That won’t happen. Don’t worry.” Sara remembered Keith’s parents and felt sorry for them. Should I go home and visit him? What about Joe? He is leaving soon. Maybe I can go back after Joe leaves? But what if something else happens to Keith? I may have to stay there longer. Then, I won’t see Joe…but this is Keith’s life we’re talking about. Sara started feeling sick. Laying on the bed, she hoped it was all a dream.
“You are too kind, Sara. I am more worried about you than Keith.”
“Do you think I can go back home and come back before Joe leaves?”
“You can if you fly, but I won’t let you go in this condition.” Michelle sighed. “Even if you see him, what are you going to tell him? What if he grabbed you and told you that he will die if you don’t come back to him? What are you going to say to him?” Sara was thinking about what to do all night. She could not get out of bed the next morning.
“Sara, I made some soup.” Michelle brought food to Sara’s room. Sara hardly sat up.
“Michelle. If I just chose to stay here for Joe, will you judge me?”
“No, not at all. We always have to make choices, and not everybody will be happy. I think you made the right choice. There’s nothing you can do even if you go there.”
“Michelle, please don’t tell Joe about this. I don’t want him to worry before he leaves.”
“I won’t. Don’t worry.” Michelle checked Sara’s forehead. “I will put medicine here. Take it after the meal.”
Joe came right away when he heard Sara was sick.
“I shouldn’t have taken you to the river. I am so sorry.” Joe thought Sara was sick because of him. Sara could not tell him why she got sick. Joe stayed next to Sara and took care of her.
“You can leave. I don’t want to waste your time. You only have a few days.”
“I will be here as long as I don’t bother you.”
“No, you don’t.”
“Then, I like it here.”
Joe wanted to take Sara to the hospital, but Sara did not want it. They talked for a while, but since Sara was too sick, she could not remember the conversation. Sara fell asleep and woke up many times, and she saw Joe was nodding off next to her. Sara felt safe.
In the afternoon, Sara’s mother called Sara and told her that Keith woke up and he was fine. Sara was relieved and suddenly fell fatigue and fell asleep. When she woke up, she was alone in her room. She checked the time and it was 8pm. She felt much better. She walked out of her room. The hallway was dark. She could hear people talking downstairs. People are downstairs. Who are they?’ She slowly walked downstairs and went to the kitchen. She heard familiar voices. Joe and Michelle were talking while they were cooking. Sara felt so grateful for them.
“You are up,” Michelle said.
“How are you feeling?” Joe asked.
“You are still here.” Sara happily smiled.
“Of course. I’m not going anywhere.” Sara smiled and walked into Joe’s arms.
“I was cutting an onion. My hands smell like onions,” Joe said.
“I don’t care.”
“What about me? Are you going to hug me, too?” Michelle said playfully.
“I will give you a hug next,” Sara said. Joe was very warm and comfortable, so Sara wanted to be like that for a while, and they embraced each other for a long time.