Tora awoke with start. He looked around the room in panic. Finally, his eyes settle on his mother. She must have been the one who was shaking him.
"Tora, Honey, are you okay? You were screaming," his mother, Elaine, said. She was a middle-aged woman with a kind face. She was a naturally caring person who loved her family more than anything in the world. Tora was her pride and joy and nothing could ever change that.
"Oh, I was?" He asked.
"Yes, Dear," she patted his head," you were screaming 'No, Ella, No' repeatedly."
"I'm sorry for waking you," he apologized, rubbing his eyes sleepily.
"Have you seen her recently?"
"No," he replied quickly, but Elaine could tell he was hiding something.
"Oh I see," she pretend to be oblivious to the his obvious lie, "I just thought it was strange, since you haven't see her in a while. I know how much you used to lo-" He raised is hand in effort to silence her.
"Don't say it," his voice was whiny, "please, don't say it."
"Well then, you better start telling me the truth."
"Fine," he sighed in defeat, "I saw her today." For the next hour Mrs. Igarashi sat and listened to her son. He told her about the letter, and continued on to tell her about the hospital. What he forgot to mention, however, was the fact that Ariella was engaged to Travis.
"Oh, Tora," she said sympathetically, "I'm sure Little El will be fine. She's a strong girl."
He laughed when his mother said "Little El". Mrs. Igarashi had given her that nickname long ago.
"I don't know, Mom," he barely managed to say, "I don't know."
"Well why don't you go see her first thing in the morning?" She suggested. He nodded in response, his throat to sore to speak.
"Alright, well I should let you get some sleep," his mother said as she walked toward the door, "goodnight, Tora."
"Goodnight, Mom," she said before rolling over and falling into a light nightmare-filled sleep.