Peace of Mind (Gloria Bennett) 2

Continuing from exactly where I left off. I hope you are enjoying the story so far.

“Pleeaase,” Emily sure was being persistent.

“Will Gloria be able to survive without you?” asked Abigail with a faint hint of anger, much too small for either of them to notice. Emily gave a confused look, almost as if she had no idea what Abigail meant by that remark. This in fact, would be true indeed. Emily knew that Gloria spent more time with her, over Abigail, but she was unconscious of Gloria’s reasons for doing so, as well as the damage it had inflicted upon Abigail over the course of many years.

“Can we mom? Can we please? The party is tonight at eight, at Kevin’s house. Can we mom?” pleaded Emily. Gloria didn’t know what to say or how to react. A night without Emily; she was Gloria’s only way to James. It’s only one night; it won’t even be for the whole night, a few measly hours, surely Gloria would be able to manage. Emily eagerly waited for an answer. Abigail was fully prepared to hear a big no.

“W-who would take you there and…and back?” she asked very slowly.

“No problem. Abigail has a car, she’ll be more than happy to drive” replied Emily giving Abigail a reassuring nudge to which Abigail responded by rolling her eyes.

“Go…go to the party have fun,” answered Gloria even slower and a little shaky.

“Thank you!” said Emily giving her mom an extra big hug, “Hey, I just remembered how are the orchids in the garden, have they bloomed yet?” asked Emily completely changing topics. Gloria’s eyes lit up. Before James passed away, he made the garden just for her, it was beautiful and together they made it extraordinary. After the incident, the garden quickly became Gloria’s sanctuary, whenever Emily was not around.

“Yes, they’re most beautiful. Do you want to see them?”

“Of course,” instantly Emily and Gloria left the living room, leaving Abigail alone, with no one to talk to, with only her thoughts to keep her company. Abigail closely watched them head for the garden, in the backyard; she could remember a time, when she was younger, how the whole family would play in the yard for countless of hours. She could recall the love that surrounded her; she could almost hear the joyful cries. However, all those memories were just memories, nothing more.

        Later that day, a little after 7:30, Emily was pushing herself to get ready, painting her nails, while trying to pick the perfect outfit, Gloria was helping her. Abigail had been ready for quite some time and was waiting for them.

        “Oh, mom, I can’t decide, blue sandals or green sandals?” asked Emily pacing back and forth, while biting her lips. Gloria couldn’t help but a smile. Watching Emily walk to and fro, send Gloria back in time. Whenever James got nervous, he would pace around in circles non-stop while chewing his lips, Emily did just the same.

        “I like the blue sandals,” answered Gloria with a soft smile.

        “You are so right. Abby! Abby are you ready? I’m ready,” called Emily.

        “I’ve been ready!” shouted Abigail all the way from the living room, impatiently.

        “Okay, uh, did I forget anything, oh, geez, my phone! No time, I got to go. See you later mom, don’t forget, tomorrow, you and me, movies,” said Emily giving Gloria a tremendous hug. Before Gloria could say good–bye back, Emily and Abigail had already left the house. Gloria was completely alone, as she slowly walked down the corridor from Emily’s room, leading into the living room, she could vividly see her past memories roaming about the household. She saw the time when James would dance with her in the patio, under the moonlight. The time when they got back from their honeymoon, how James carried her through the threshold. She saw everything, every little detail. As the memories slowly drifted by, so did the hours, Gloria felt more and more tense. Ten minutes felt like an hour. It was almost as if time was intentionally moving slower.

        Finally, the clock hit 12; Gloria thought for sure they would have come back from the party. She fervently waited and waited and waited. No one came, no one called; the clock now hit 1 a.m., but still nothing. Gloria was so nervous, she could feel a certain kind of void within her, quietly swallowing her whole. She wondered what could have happened, whenever Emily went out with friends, she would call every hour. However, over four hours had passed and she hadn't called once. This was completely out of Emily’s usual. Even though Gloria was exhausted, she dared not shut her eyes, not even for a brief moment. She was far too worried. Suddenly the home phone, in the kitchen, burst out ringing, breaking the silence. Gloria rushed over to answer it.

        “Emily! Where are you?” she asked desperately.

        “What? No, this is Abigail. I was calling because I was wondering if Emily was with you,” asked Abigail slightly annoyed by the fact that all Gloria cared about was Emily.

        “No, she-she’s not. I’ve been…all alone,” replied Gloria in a low voice.

        “Okay…that doesn’t make any sense. I haven’t seen Emily in the party for the last two hours. I thought maybe she got a ride home from one of her friends or something…” Gloria had no idea what to think or say. For a short moment they both kept quite. Silence fell, but quickly ended, “look, Emily forgot to bring her phone, so there’s no use trying to call her. I’ve been asking around for quite some time and no one has seen her.” Again, Gloria was speechless; her hands began to shake. Abigail waited for a response, for an answer of some kind.

        “I’m going to ask around one more time, don’t get all panicky- I’m sure this is nothing to stress over,” with that Abigail hanged up the phone. Gloria was dumbfounded; she was left immobilized by fear and doubt- doubt that it was nothing.

Peace of Mind (Gloria Bennett) 1

This is a story that I wrote a while back not too while back, at least I don't think so. This story is a short story, but when I was finished with it, it was longer than I though it would be, but it's only 15 maybe 16 pages. That's not long at all. Someone can reading the whole thing in 45 minutes maybe less. Anyway, I will post pieces of it. One super long post is, I think, unreasonable.

I hope you like it. Note: I still can't decide on a title, therefore if you think of anything, let me know, as I will take it into consideration.

Peace of Mind (Gloria Bennett)

By: harcyMill

Meet Miss Gloria Bennett, a woman that can be described in many ways, one of which is, emotionally unstable. Of course, according to different people, they might not see it like that. They may just think of Miss Gloria as a person who happens to be, overprotective, a little too sensitive, fragile, as well as hesitant, and possibly, a wallflower. However, all these descriptions fit Miss Gloria Bennett immensely. Upon meeting Gloria for the first time, it would be hard for someone not to assume that she appeared a little nervous or agitated, maybe even tearful. What could be the reason for Gloria to behave in such a manner?

        Truth be told, she wasn’t always like that. She wasn’t always excessively cautious; she wasn’t always Miss Gloria Bennett. Years ago, she was known as Mrs. Gloria Bennett. She used to be a wife, married to a wonderful man, James Bennett. While no marriage is perfect, their marriage would be the closest to perfection, no doubt. In fact, it would be no exaggeration to suggest that their love for each other was like wine, growing deeper and richer with age. Most marriages whither with the curse of time; however, the unity of Gloria of James only grew stronger as time passed by. Soon enough, what started as two, which turned into one, became three, and then four. They became a family. Gloria was now a mother with two lovely little girls. The first born was named Abigail; the second was named Emily. As the years swiftly flew by, Gloria gained many cherished memories, each and everyday. She had everything she could have asked for and then some.

        Sadly, all good things must come to an end and Gloria was no exception. James Bennett was killed in a tragic and devastating car accident. His death was not instantaneous; he died very slowly on a hospital bed with Gloria by his side, helplessly and hopelessly watching. First it was head trauma then a brain hemorrhage followed by internal bleeding to the brain, which led to his death. The doctors did the very best they could, but even then, it wasn’t enough. It was never enough. As Gloria watched James’s body be placed in a six feet deep hole, she realized that the only thing in the world that gave her joy and peace was stripped away from her. She was now a widow, a single mother with two children, a nine-year old and a seven-year old. Gloria fell into a deep chasm of sadness and isolation. She could not compose herself nor could she contain her sorrow, the pain within her. The children were also thrown into devastation, but not as profound as Gloria, her tears were relentless. She felt completely overwhelmed, almost as if she was unable to breathe, but then suddenly, she felt the squeeze of two soft little hands. It was Emily, giving her mom a tight hug. It was Emily’s way of saying, that everything would be okay, eventually things would get better.

        Gloria could feel the assurance of Emily, and strangely she could also feel a certain kind of love that only James gave her. As Gloria lifted her face, expecting to see the gentle face of Emily; however, she was shock to see the eyes and smile that once belonged to James. It was as clear as day. She could see and sort of feel a physical connection with James. She felt like this because Emily possessed several characteristics of James. Gloria felt as if, all her sorrow and pain were taken away, all the misery in her life, gone. Gloria hugged Emily back and consistently spent time with her since. She would talk with her, walk with her, stay up late with her. Together, Emily and Gloria formed a bond thicker than blood. The only way for Gloria to live through each day of hardship was by clinging onto everything she had of James. Every moment, every photograph, every faint memory, but the only possible way for Gloria to feel even feel a small sense of peace was with Emily. Unknowingly, Emily gave Gloria a way to feel the presence of James.

        As the bond of Gloria and Emily deepened, Abigail was slowly cast aside. She felt as if she was being constantly forgotten. Day in and day out, Abigail would watch Gloria with Emily, and never once was she called for or mentioned or included. It was almost as if she didn’t matter to them. With each passing day, Abigail felt all the more invisible, expendable, and neglected. She tried to be the best at everything, in hopes for some recognition. She got better grades, she helped around the house, she was very athletic and talented, but all her attempts did little good. To say that Abigail was never loved would be a complete lie. However, how could Abigail even begin to realize that, when she didn’t feel any love? Whenever Abigail tried to do something to get noticed, she was unsuccessful. Soon enough, Abigail was forced to live with it, she couldn’t deny it, and she couldn’t fight it. Therefore, she wore a mask, concealing her anger, which kept on accumulating over time. A mask that hid her relentless jealously, to be noticed and cared for like Emily.

*   *   *

Years have passed since the death Gloria’s loving husband, but Gloria was still grieving, still clinging onto Emily. Abigail was still gripping with envy. Even though it had been several years, almost nothing changed. The only difference was that Abigail was now 19 years of age and Emily was 17 years of age. Other than that fact, time had placed no major difference in the household.

It was the second Friday, in the month of September. It was late in the afternoon, and Gloria was eagerly waiting upon the arrival of Emily, coming home from her senior high school. Gloria was pacing back and forth, even though her feet were hurting, she was too anxious to stop. She would continue, until Emily came home. At last, Gloria heard the door open, her heart nearly jumped out of her chest.

“Emily?” she asked, rushing to the front entrance. However, her heart sank, once she saw, it was only her daughter Abigail.

“Hi, mom, take a look, I got an A on my biology test, in my college class,” answered Abigail showing her mom a paper covered in big red letters: Awesome Job! A! “Isn’t that pretty cool?” asked Abigail hoping that Gloria would notice.

“Good for you,” replied Gloria in a daze, “Do you know where Emily is?”

“She’s still outside, still talking to her friends. She’ll come soon enough,” said Abigail in a heavy sigh, to which Gloria was completely oblivious to, all she could think about was Emily. Then, the door swung open, with Emily walking inside the living room.

“Hello everybody,” she said with a big grin, just like James. When Gloria saw that smile, the tension inside of her was melting away.

“Welcome home, Emily,” said Gloria with glee, “Did you have a nice day at school?” she asked giving a tight hug. Emily looked cheerful as usual, she was always the innocent kind of person, nice to everybody, but sometimes naïve. Abigail rolled her eyes in frustration, while crumbling her biology test and tossing it to the floor.

“It’s good to see you too, mom. Abby and I were invited to a super big party.”

“How was I invited? The only time I go to school, is to pick you up,” stated Abigail with a somewhat irritated voice.

“How true,” said Emily with great appreciation, “However it is required of every guest to bring a date, so Abigail Bennett will you be my date, please,” begged Emily using some sort of cute puppy face. Emily could tell that every so often, Abigail would feel left out; however Emily was unaware of the extent of loneliness Abigail felt. Nevertheless, now and then, Emily would try to include Abigail in her frequent social gatherings.

Fleeting Purity

Fleeting Purity

By: harcyMill

     Late in the night, he travels up a path and though his surroundings appear unfamiliar by shadows and solids all new, he is not lost. In this he finds comfort, for bearing memories of old can be quite helpful at times. He reaches a crossroads, but both paths seem unwelcoming, both seem crude. He no longer feels secure about the path he travels, fearing the unknown can be quite understandable. This is new, he never wandered so far away before. A thick fog emerges from distant fields, enveloping him with coldness and uncertainty. Unable to see where the two paths lead, he decides to pick neither, he proceeds to walk straight. He travels up a grassy field, as it ascends, the fog intensifies. So thick, he is unable to see any shadows or solids to guide his walk.  He knows what is behind, but is clueless to what is before him. In the depths of his mind, he is saddened by the grimness of his mundane life, for being overly traditional can be quite dull. A gust of wind rushes pass him, and the smell of the ocean fills the air, the field has now become a steep hill. With his sight no longer his companion, and hearing is fruitless in dead pastures, he relies on touch and simulations to lead him forward. As he proceeds to carry his feet a great distance, the fog finally begins to clear, his sight is restored, and he hears crashing waves beating hard against sandy shores and the rocky cliff. The rush of winds grow stronger. Before his eyes, he sees the vast, unknown ocean stretching over miles.  It would seem that he reached a dead end, his wandering ceases. No where to go, except back to his abyss of a home.  He begins to wonder, why did God cast me on this earth with strict, unyielding people? So callous, and unforgiving to my only curiosity, to the fleeting purity of a heart. If there is hope in a bright future, one should look past their existing trials. However, it is often that hope of a good future is thwarted by the cruelty of one's past, of one's repeated shortcomings. Again, he thinks, beyond me is the end, behind me is the mob of judging eyes. Why are they always so eager to strike him down and point out his flaw? His one flaw! His mind proceeds to ponder, if I take but one step forward I shall slip away and the unmerciful waters will surely crush me, that will be my end. Lacking motivation to continue life and knowing full well that no one would care if he disappears, he reaches a conclusion. He took that one step forward. His body hits the ocean, head first, he doesn't even try to swim against the waves. However, the moment he is in the water, all is calm. The wind stops, the strength of currents suddenly weaken. It would seem God above does not wish for him to perish, He grants him a second chance, some would say. Some would say that God looks to him with favor, for surviving the harshness of stormy waves. However to him, he will see it as a curse. His body is transported to the shore, a long way off from the cliff of which he chose to fall. He awakes by the light of the dawn. I live? I should have died, why can't God call me away? Everyone I know hates me, my own children look at me with scorn. For this was not his first time trying to escape, but always by chance, by nature or by the hand God, he lived. He lives and cannot die, at least not by his own hand. If only there was someone willing to take my life for me. If only I could be subjected to inescapable death. What twisted fate has given him a life of grueling surroundings? His home is where he is not loved, ever since his flesh succumbed to the soft skin of she and her friends. He makes up his mind,  if he cannot die, then he shall travel away from whence he came. I shan't return, I will find a home elsewhere, far away from all who persecute me. Early in the morning, he travels up the sandy shores along the beach and though his surroundings appear unfamiliar by shadows and solids all new, he knows where he wants to go, he is not lost.

Don't Call me Home

Just something that I dabble, a pray of my deepest desire. Whoever is reading this, take note, I have been praying this pray on and off, for years. (Please forgive me for any grammatical errors.)

Don't Call me Home

I am still yang, I still have many years to come, many goals to conquer. But I have grown old over the years and as time moves swiftly, I'll barely notice. Time rushes right past me and I foolishly take all for granted. My days are numbered, I think I'm starting to understand just how little I got. So while I still care, listen to this pray: Keep my body in tact, make it strong, agile and wise. Bless me with longevity for years to come. Give me endurance to withstand, patience to withhold. Let me stay healthy always, keep youth always in reach. Allow me to someday proudly wear the Crown of Grey Strands. Let me die of old age, let me die in my sleep, let me die knowing I have served my purpose fully. Don't call me home until I reap all that I have sown!
When I was but a child I labored seldom, I was shrouded with laughter and of innocence. But now that I've grown in more ways than one my mind is vile, my thoughts are wicked, I am passionate, determined, focused and all so distracted to the fact time is fleeting. Time is wasting away. So while I still care, please listen to this pray: Bless me with health, longevity for years to come. Keep my body strong, agile and wise. Don't let me be victimize with lies! Give me endurance to withstand, patience to withhold. Let me someday proudly wear the Crown of Grey Stands. Let me die of old age and not of shame, let me die in my sleep and not in pain, let me die knowing I have seen all I was meant to see. Don't call me home until I have finished the race. Don't call me home! Not yet, not now! Let me die of old age and not of shame, not of greed, not of mourning, let me die in my sleep, not in pain, not in fright, not in doubt, let me die knowing I have done your will.
I still have much to learn, still many lies to overcome. I am waiting for me to realize how precious a life can be. So, until then, don't call me home, don't call me home!
Let me die of old age, let me die in my sleep...

Going Back

I wrote this a long time ago, while reminiscing, I decided to jot down what I was feeling, thinking and so on. 

Whoever is reading this, please take note, the pain is gone, but I still want to go back.

(Please forgive me for any grammatical errors)

Go Back

I want to go back in time, relive the laughter so I can forget my current pain. So I can recall my smile and not my tears. Early mornings in the beach. I'll even relive the boring days. Sleeping in on Saturday, watching hours of cartoons. I'll relive those quite moments in worship, when I felt so broken. Being with a friend just watching old movies. Going over her place just to say hello. I'll go back deep in to past dreams, even the scary ones. Flying across open fields, stealing a car, super powers. I want to go back to those day were things were simple, going to the gym, do school, finish school, play outside. I'll be in church meetings from long ago, old parties, last year events, month old jokes. I want to go back and do the same thing all over again. Going skating with a close friend, sitting next to her. I want to go back and play board games with old friends. Re-meet my current friends, connect all over again. I long to be in those days were I was alone, riding my bike, playing video games, jogging, breathing cold crisp air. Even the small things. Getting lost inside a park, texting a friend states away. To be with my friends and play soccer. Hang out and play tennis with dad. To feel my heart pound when with a friend, who always makes me smile, hugging tight because she means a lot to me. I'll imagine myself back in old holidays of years ago, pumpkin pie of Thanksgiving, ripping Christmas gifts. Hot summer days in cold water, losing my ear plugs then my friends help me find them.

I want to go back in time, but I don't want to be there forever because then I'll never have the chance to make new memories. My life has just begun. I still have room for more moments with friends. I'll wait for it. That way, later on, I'll have more to go back to...

Okay, this is a report that I made, back when I was taking nutrition classes in my college campus, of which I am attending. It is all about eating healthy during pregnancy.

Eating Healthy During Pregnancy

There’s a journey most wives, if not all, endeavor during their years of marriage. This journey is like no other, for it encompasses a great deal of stress, confusion, anticipation, questions, and pain. However, this journey also entails wonder, joy, excitement, and new life. This journey takes only nine months to complete, but the end outcome will affect both the wife and the husband for a lifetime. The journey is known as pregnancy and should not be taken lightly. Much preparation must be included as there are a pile of questions that soon-to-be mothers must know the answers to, but never do. One of the questions are: How can I eat healthy during pregnancy?
A soon-to-be mother’s diet should mainly consist of whole grains (bread, cereals, brown rice) , whole fruits (peaches, apples, pears amongst a few others. Exclude oranges pineapples, lemons and limes because acidic foods may cause heartburn) vegetables (leafy greens, mushrooms, eggplant) lean proteins from plant and animals (beans, seeds, turkey, fish) low-fat dairy, and healthful fats (extra-virgin olive oil and avocado) Note: If one does not like avocado or olive oil, simply consume a fatty fish like salmon at least twice a week. It is very important to avoid as much as possible the following foods (unless you have one of those strange, unexpected, instantaneous cravings): extra sugary foods, soda of any kind, and fried foods like french fries. Having a well-balance nutritional filled diet is one of the key components in order for a future mother to give birth to a healthy baby.
However, the question is only half answered. There are some nutrients that a pregnant woman need to consume more of during the nine months and after. The following nutrients are: folic acid, iron and calcium (calcium is the nutrient that needs to be taken consistently even after giving birth). Folic acid reduces the risk for birth defects, especially defects that occur in the spinal cord. Soon-to-be mothers need at least 400-600 micrograms per day. Consuming 27 milligrams of iron each day can help reduce the risk for anemia. Finally, childbearing women should take 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day, as this helps the baby’s teeth, bones, and heart just to name a few. One may consider taking supplements to help ensure the intake of all these nutrients, but that sort of decision must be first consulted with the person’s physician.
Eating healthy is important in any stage of life, but may be most crucial during the nine months of pregnancy. It will be also very wise for the future mother to keep in practice these healthy eating habits, as it will help her child to eat right too. This type of journey does end right after giving birth, it expands and changes into the adventure of being a mother.

Poor Sandy Poor Sandy

Poor Sandy Poor Sandy

by: harcyMill

     In a gloomy grey hospital on the second floor in the South hallway in room 213, the first bed you would see is surrounded with plenty of balloons and cards full of "get well soon", "we miss you" and "we love you". Little mementos of glee and on the center of the bed, a big stuffed teddy bear holding a bright red heart that reads, "with love". However, turn your gaze to the second bed in the room, it has no teddy bear, no balloons, no cards of any kind. The bed is plain and bare.

     That particular bed was currently being inhabited by Mr. Linking. Mr. Linking was a curious man. Curious as is in strange. Most of the time, he possessed a bitter attitude toward everyone, for reasons unknown. But out of the blue, now and then, he would smile and that smile would be the highlight of any nurse's day. Sad to say, they didn't know he was still bitter inside.

     Mr. Linking seems to prefer to not have attention, he is very to himself. The nurses have tried to make small talk, but Mr. Linking despising conversation, always says, "Quit the small talking!" even when he was smiling. Mr. Linking's wife, Sandy resembles her husband a little, but she is more open. Many of the nurse would agree that she was once a very happy person. Maybe this ordeal took away her joy, but not all of it. She still had hope, at least just enough to end the day with, and then restock by breakfast. 

     The chemistry between them is limited some might say. They can't really kiss, that would require Mr. Linking to sit up straight and everyone knows his excuse, "Shut up, boy, I'm 87. I should have been dead by 84, but no, so back off!" What a wonderfully lame reason. Despite his ghastly temper, every Tuesday, you will find Sandy with Mr. Linking together. It's either Sandy reading a book and Mr. Linking sleeping or the other way around.

     The first bed, smothered with ornaments expressing love, belongs to Danny Hews for the time being. Danny Hews in a word: chatterbox. He never stops talking. He always has to tell a joke every ten minutes. He hums this little tune, louder than necessary, all the time. The first time you meet him, he's a great, funny guy. Second time, he's kind of loud. Third time, plain out annoying. Most of the nurses are convinced that the only reason he talks non-stop is to get attention. This tends to be consistently true. 

     Today was a special day indeed. Mr. Linking was leaving, not to another hospital, but he was really leaving. He would be going home.

    "Hey! Linking, you lucky dog, you! Leaving super early and stuff. And you even sit right!" said Danny in a booming voice. Although the sitting upright part was not true at all.

     "Yes. It's been... long over due," replied Sandy letting out a sigh of relief, "But not so loud, Danny. Mr. Linking is still sleeping.

     "Oh, hey, that reminds me of a joke. Okay, so what did the eye doctor say to the foot ball? No, wait that's not how it goes...that's right it was a golf ball... or maybe it was a foot doctor."

     "Well, which one is it?" asked Sandy, even though Danny said this joke six times already. Maybe she was just trying to be polite, or perhaps she was too shy to interrupt.

     "It was a dentist or...something like that." answered Danny with his head lowered, embarrassed that he had forgotten. Things went silent. The kind of uneasy, tense silents. Something didn't feel right. It was a happy occasion was it not? Tonight, instead of Mr. Linking going to bed in a hospital, he would go to bed in his house. Sandy was very grateful indeed. The doctors told her last night, they felt confident enough to send Mr. Linking home at last. So many days in the same room, seeing the same people walk in and out over and over. Months of checking in hospitals and checking out. Maybe this time this will be Mr. Linking's final stop. Sandy was counting on that.

     Life wasn't always like this for Mr. Linking. It just that his heart got too weak to support his body. No one knows what caused his heart to become so feeble. He never smoked. He was a heavy drinker, but he had been sober for 23 years. That's a long time for anyone. No high blood pressure, who knows.

     "Sandy, I heard the good news!" Sandy twist her head round and instantly smiled. It was one of her friends of the book club.

     "Doris, yes it's good news isn't?"

     "Why is Mr. Linking asleep? You two should celebrating!" said Doris with an excited voice.

     "Shh. Not so loud. We will, maybe tomorrow night."

     "Hey Sandy! Better introduce me!" That was Danny being loud again.

     "Sorry. Danny this is Doris. Doris this is Danny."

     "You poor thing, how long before your leg is better? Danny was in the hospital because of a broken leg.

     "Won't be long now. I'll be out in one week." said Danny with a triumphant grin. They talked on and on about all sorts of things. First it was about common subjects, the weather, daily news. The topics changed into sports, ping-pong, rugby just to name a few. They even discuss knitting and cooking. Their conversation lasted for quite some time. It took Doris a good 15 minutes just to say her farewells.

     "I really must be going. We must have been talking for well over an hour. What confuses me, is that Mr. Linking is still sleeping," Doris waited for someone to say something, but no one said a word, not even Danny, "Well, don't you think it's rather odd?"

    "I think he is just tired, that's all." answered Sandy softly. 

    "I'm not so sure...well, good-bye, I'll see you Thursday, Sandy."

     Sandy looked at Mr. Linking still asleep. He didn't even make his usual snore noises. Ever since breakfast which he had finished by 7:30 in the morning, it was no 12:05. His chest was still going up and down, just making sure he's breathing. Sandy didn't wanted to seem worried, but she was. By this time, he would want to see his show then after that, eat his usual sandwich for lunch. No mayo, ham, lettuce, tomato and provolone on wheat. He prefers mustard. Ewww. Who cares what he eats? Sleeping this long is not normal, right? Sand was no doctor, for heaven's sake she was retired, but she couldn't shake this feeling.

     Finally, a nurse came into the room, but just to pick up a file, Sandy informed the nurse on everything. The nurse said that there's nothing wrong with an extra long nap. Even his heart monitor read normal levels. But Sandy insisted to the nurse, that the doctor should come right away. The nurse gave a sigh and said, she'll what she can do about it.

     30 minutes gone by, no T.V show, no lunch and no doctor. Sandy gazed at Mr. Linking with a small sense of relief, maybe she was over reacting. Then suddenly, with horror in her eyes she saw Mr. Linking turn all at once pale as white as the walls of the hospital. Danny wouldn't notice he had fallen into a deep slumber. Mr. Linking looked so pale, almost transparent, but if that wasn't enough, purple veins started to appear on his face, his arms, his hands, his legs, everywhere. Sandy didn't know what to do. The purple veins began to grow darker and darker, until they were black, then they started to bulge outward. It was most disgusting.

     Sandy's mouth was hanging wide open, she could not believe her eyes. Then, she realized that Danny was going through the exact same thing! He too was covered with purple, bulging veins. Sandy was terrified. Before she could shed a tear, she saw Mr.Linking's hear monitor go crazy, he was shaking uncontrollably, like he was having a convulsion. It was 50 the 55, hen it jumped to 67, went to down 42 leaped to 85, 100, then sunk to 12, 49, 32, 66, 89, over and over. It would not relent! Sandy didn't want to wait another second doctor or no doctor, she was going to do something, but she couldn't even find the courage to even move her feet!
     Then with horror in her eyes she gazed upon her hands, how they were went extremely pale, and cold. Seconds after, purple veins started to appear growing on her hand and on her face, her legs collapse on her, she tumbled over like a house of cards. The veins darkened and they began to bulge out. She clasp her hands over her face, she could feel the bulges pulsing, it was a horrific feeling.
     Her heart started pounding uncontrollably. Her body was shaking left and right. She couldn't see anything, all she was able to see were strange reoccurring shapes of purple veins. Her mouth started to foam and in the midst of all of this, she heard a voice saying, "Sandy, Sandy wake up. Wake up, Sandy!"
     In a flash, she opened her eyes and saw her regular nurse, holding onto her shoulder tightly, "You were having another nightmare."
     A dream? It felt so real...
     "Mr. Linking, he's...he died....dead!" sobbed Sandy with relentless bitter tears.
     "Oh, dear, Dr. Hews, she's talking about that Mr. Linking guy again." said the nurse aloud.
     Then a doctor entered the room with name on his right side chest that read: Dr. Danny Hews.
     "That's not good. Okay," he began releasing a big sigh, "Just giver more medication tomorrow."
     "Yes, doctor." replied the nurse, her name tag read Doris, "When will she accept the fact that there is no Mr. Linking, there never was?"
     Where was Sandy? Mentally, she was ensnared with visions of this man known as "Mr.Linking". Physically, she was trapped in an asylum, she has been for five long years and counting. With no possible way for to escape. Poor Sandy. Poor Sandy.

The End