I shot up from my slumber with sweat dripping down my neck and my heart jumping from my chest. I had that dream again; it seems that I will have that dream forever. As I began to calm down I took in my surroundings. The last thing I could recall was falling down right in front of the lady who gave me directions. The place where I was lying was a red tinted couch, several blankets were placed upon me and a small pillow lied under my head. The room was very humble in its size and I could see a streak of light across the carpet coming from a mysterious door. I stood up regaining my balance before slowly tip-toeing over to the door. The fear coursed thru my veins making my heart beat faster. There was a small click as I began to open the door my hand trembled and I waited several seconds before trying to open it again. Peeking thru the door I felt my heart slow down and I let out a breath of air I didn't know I had been holding. Behind the door was the lady I had previously been talking to she was sitting at a small round table glancing at some old papers. Her eyes were looking far off and for I moment I thought she was paralyzed. But as I peeked my head in further the door made a very large creak that echoed thru the kitchen and she looked up from her papers. Well no use hiding any longer I thought to myself as I opened the door all the way. She seemed surprised to see me at first but then settled down and smiled.
"It's good to see your awake" She approached me and I realized the clothes she previously had on were switched for a pink robe and slippers. "Sorry if I frightened you" After she examined my face her feet began to step backwards and she placed her cup of coffee on the table. "But I really couldn't leave you on the side of the road, it's a dangerous neighborhood around here". Her words sunk in and my brain finally analyzed what she said.
"Thank you very much ma'am I appreciate what you have done for me" I bowed respectively and tried to give her an honest smile.
"No problem" She gave back an even bigger smile "My names Sharona by the way". I mustered back a smile before I started to back away.
"Thank you again Sharona but I should probably be going" as I finished my sentence I began to grow dizzy again n held onto the threshold for support. Sharona raced towards me holding my shoulder and guiding me to one of the chairs at the small table.
"I don't think you should be going anywhere until you can get your strength back" As I looked up regaining some of my sight I saw a concerned look in her eyes. "When was the last time you have eaten?" The question sounded foreign to me and for a moment I didn't really know how to answer. I paused and thought for a moment trying to remember when I had last had a bite of food. I opened my mouth to answer but then quickly shut it. "That's what I thought" Sharona shuffled over to the refrigerator pulling out various contents and placing them on the counter. "Why don't I make you a little meal?" She turned over blonde curls bouncing "Do you like chicken noodle soup?"
"Uh I've never had it before…" That was half of the truth, I've had chicken noodle soup but it was poured on me not really eaten. She turned around shocked.
"You've never had chicken noodle soup before? Oh you poor thing. That was my favorite soup when I was little, my mother would make it for me when I was sick." She began to pour several contents into a pot and turn on the burner. I half smiled at this remembering days when Muriel and I would cook together. "Why were you on the street anyway?" My head snapped in her direction seeing that she had started stirring the pot. "It's a pretty dangerous road and you looked pretty sick". I thought about that for a moment, for the past couple of months I haven't had the chance to look at myself in the mirror. I assumed from the lack of eating that I had gotten thinner but other than that I don't think I have changed much.
"Well I'm traveling to see my aunt." I looked up half expecting her to not believe me. She looked at me for a moment before nodding and returning back to the soup. After a few minutes the soup was done and I took my first bite of chicken noodle soup. It was warm as it slide down my throat, the chicken tender and sweet. I smiled to myself before looking up with bright eyes "wow this is really really good" I continued to devour the soup as she chuckled to herself, probably over my enthusiasm. After eating the soup I smiled with complete satisfaction. Sharona and I continued to talk about random things as the night continued and eventually it became very late. "Oh I better be leaving" I said after getting up too quickly and becoming dizzy immediately. Sharona looked to me as to almost ask if I needed help but I waved for her to sit again.
"Courage I don't think you should be going…not yet your too sick". I opened my mouth to interject but she quickly shushed me and walked out of the room. When she appeared again an array of pillows and blankets were securely in her arms. "Ok I only have one bed here so, sorry to say this, but you'll have to sleep on the couch. It's usually kind of lumpy but these blankets and pillow will make it better" she threw the blankets on the couch giving me another smile then went back to what I assumed was her room. I naturally began to make the couch and get my stuff ready; looking through my bag I remembered I didn't have time to pack pajamas, but sleeping in my cloths wasn't so bad."Ok so I don't really have any guy pajamas but these will probably fit you" Sharona's voice startled me, but after I calmed down I absorbed what she had just said.
"Guy pajamas?" I questioned and looking into her arms I saw a pair of purple pajama pants and big white tee-shirt in her hands. "Oh it's ok, I can just where my cloths to bed no big deal" I know what I said was pointless because, even if I only spent a few hours with Sharona, I could tell she was very stubborn. So without another word I grabbed the pajamas from a very happy Sharona and walked off into the direction I assumed the bathroom was.
The shirt was a little bit too small for me and the pants were too big but oh well it was better than nothing. As I walked out Sharona was still by the couch new setting down more pillows for me. "Aww you look adorable" she giggled some and gave me a hug, which honestly I was surprised by. I was only really hugged by Muriel and contact from another person was weird, I let my arms fall to my sides not really hugging back. But Sharona was too happy to notice and went back to making the couch acceptable for sleep. "Ok I've got the bed made up for you, I hope you can sleep in it ok" She began to walk back to her room.
"Sharona" she stopped in her tracks, this was the first time I called her by her name (I either addressed her by ma'am or miss). "Thank you very much for this, it means a lot" I kept my head down avoiding eye contact. But soon I was wrapped by a warm pair of arms and I looked up to see Sharona.
"Your welcome Courage and goodnight" As she walked away I was filled with something new and I don't know why but I made me smile.
Authors note: Oh god sorry this took so long guys I've been swamped with so much work lately (curse you school) I hope you guys aren't to unhappy with me I will try to write the new chapter this week but I don't know if I can finish it. Thank you to all the loyal viewers who are actually following this story, it means a lot! Thanks 3
