Teenage Runaway

Chapter 18

Although my ribs were still hurting, and my arm was still fractured, it was no problem for me to hold her. It felt alright. She was the panacea to whatever that was wrong with me.

She ended up falling asleep on my lap. Her long dark hair fell against my legs and draped over her face. It turns out I never ran out of luck.

I couldn't help but think about Kelly and the deal. It was an unfair call. I didn't try to kill myself, I didn't slip up. I just, wasn't in control for a couple minutes. But I'm working on it, I really am. She can't just expect me to be better in an instant. I know I got help, and I know that I might not be better after all, but I just know now that it'll all be okay soon.

"Harry, I have some news." I looked up from Alexandra on my lap over to Liam who was at my door. I slowly moved her off of me and onto the bed so I could get up to talk to Liam.

"What is it?" I asked while closing the door behind me.

"I got a call from Kel, and Andrew's in the hospital."

"What? I thought he was going to rehab?" I ask.

"He was, but I guess he had an overdose; he fell unconscious, and Kel couldn't get him awake. He tried so hard, but nothing could get him to wake up." Liam's voice started cracking and making this horrible sound I couldn't bare to listen. I could tell so badly he wanted to give in and just cry all the troubles away, but I know he tries to be stronger than he is, and I know he won't cry.

I couldn't speak. I just stared at the floor, running my hands through my hair. I guess I just can't process how any of this could happen. He said he wanted to get better. He said he didn't want to be like me, but now he is. He ended up in the hospital, unconscious, and dying.

"I'm sorry, Harry," Liam's voice quivered. "I don't think he's going to make it."

I couldn't take it anymore. I walked out of the house and started heading toward town. I ran to the bus stop, where old women sang and homeless men looked out the window.

This one homeless man in particular, had this void look in his eye. He reminded me of myself, back when I was in the trouble I was. I sat down next to him, and he looked over at me, locking our eyes, he started to speak.

"I know who you are," the man said. "I know you."

"How?" I asked.

"My daughter. She loves you. My daughter loves you." His eyes started to water.

"Did she?"

"You're Henry, or Harry."

"Yeah, I'm Harry."

The man started to laugh uncontrollably. "If I were to tell her I met you, she wouldn't believe me. No, she wouldn't. Can I get a picture with you?" I said yes, and he took out this disposable film camera that you can get at a grocery store. He leaned his head near mine, and this awful smell arose, but I didn't mind.

"Are you going to show her the picture then?" I asked. The man shook his head.

"Oh, no. I can't, she's not around anymore." The man looked out the window, and started to cry. I didn't really know how to react, or what to do, so I put my hand on his shoulder for comfort. "No you dont have to touch me, I'm disgusting and haven't showered in months." I told him I didn't mind, and he smiled. "You see, she got cancer, and she was suffering for so long, and it pained me to see her like that, and I sorta started to get into drinking, and then Sophie died, and I lost control of my drinking, and now I'm here. I lost everything. I lost my wife, my job, and Sophie." The man started to cry until he had to get off. When he sat up he told me thank you, and then he said that I was the most important person to Sophie. I think I helped him.