*October 31, 1989
The next 10 days went by in a blur. I didn't go to school even after I was discharged from the hospital. I stayed in bed all day hardly touching my food.
Ernest visited a few times, I could barely speak to him because I felt too lost in my own thoughts to talk with him.
Dad was worried of course but just let me rest and only talking to me when he had to or when I felt like speaking.
Halloween rolled around and I didn't really care. I was sitting in bed reading my favorite book when I heard a knock on the door.
"Come in."
The door opened and Ernest stepped inside with a pizza box.
"Hey. I brought you some pizza."
"How did you manage that with my dad?"
"He almost told me to throw it away but agreed just this once. Do you like pepperoni?"
"I guess. Thank you."
Ernest set the box down handing me slice and picking up one himself. I took a few small nibbles desperately trying to think of a distraction from my depressed thoughts.
"After we eat, maybe we can go for a walk?"
"I don't know Ernest. I don't really feel like doing much of anything."
"Come one Via, you have to leave the house at some point. Being cooped up is not good for you. And I want to spend some time with you that's not in your bedroom."
"Well...alright. But after I eat first."
~
We stood at a lake close by to my house. Maybe about half a mile away. I could barely walk 30 steps to my front porch so Ernest carried me the rest of the way.
Eventually he came to a stop to sit down on a log with me sitting in his lap.
We sat there watching the water flow steadily in the wind and the faint noises of excited kids trick-or-treating being faint to us.
"Sorry you have to be doing all this just for me. You deserve better than me."
"Octavia, your health may be important but it has never once bothered me. You are still like everyone else. A human being with feelings. And I just feel like you don't want to be alone especially now more than ever."
"What did I do to deserve someone like you?"
"Just being amazing?"
"That is not what I meant and you know it."
"But still you are."
"If you say so."
"I am. And I mean it."
We smiled at each other and kissed each other fondly.
"Oh I forgot. Let's take a picture. I forgot I brought over my camera."
"Oh okay."
I smiled as much as I could as Ernest pulled out his camera and clicked.
"After I develop it I'll bring you a copy."
"Please don't. I hate how I look in photos."
"Aww come on babe. Just this once."
"Fine."
"Hehe."
"Happy Halloween Ernest."
"Happy Halloween Octavia. Want some chocolate?"
"Sure."
And that was how I spent my Halloween with Ernest and then my dad afterwards, with Ernest taking lots of photos.
A lot of memories made that day.
Me and Ernest eventually ended the day sitting in my bed reading my favorite book together. We lost track of time because we woke up the next morning even though he never planned to spend the night.
Well you only live once.
After one worried call from his mother and reassuring her he was safe at my house and accidentally fell asleep here it was okay again. Ernest stayed to eat breakfast with me and my dad and I no longer worried about my health much for a long time.
