Across the Lake

Chapter 6: The Storm

Claire would walk into my room when the afternoon hit, as I was still unable to leave my bed. She'd ask if I was okay as she'd say,

"Mom left as the doctor's called."

while she sat next to me.

"It might not be the best news, but stay strong. We can all get through this."

She'd say while giving me a quick hug before heading out into the living room again. I didn't feel the energy within me to get up again, but I wanted to interact with other people.

I looked out the window, and it seemed to be cloudy today. I'd walk outside as Claire was quick to run up to the door.

"You're not running away again, right?"

She'd ask as I assured her I would be talking to friends. She sighed in relief as she said,

"Have fun!"

before going back inside. I didn't see Paige this time like I usually did. I'd hear families talking and having fun while I tried to find Laurie. I left her on a cliffhanger last night that I felt bad about.

I'd walk around, and I wouldn't see her anywhere. I tried to call out for her and I wouldn't hear anything back. I felt super bad and continued to walk back. I'd hear the campfires being set up as it approached night, not feeling good about it this time. Seeing the families looking happy is what got me upset deep inside, knowing ours was a mess lately. I walked back inside the cabin as Claire looked at me from the couch.

"Had fun?"

She asked as I walked into my room.

She'd get up and come in my room and ask again, this time I shook my head no. She sat down to comfort me and made sure I was okay, even if it meant staying with me.

"I'm sorry you didn't have fun, I wish I could figure out a way to make you have fun."

She'd say with my head in her arms, feeling worse than usual. We would sit in silence for a while before Claire asked,

"Want to play your guitar for me?"

as I looked up at her.

"Of course I can."

as I grabbed my guitar from my case.

She'd look at me grinning as I'd start to strum away at the guitar strings. She'd sit back and listen as she looked up at the ceiling. I saw tears in her eyes as I continued playing, as it was quite an emotional song. She'd get up and look out the window as I stopped playing.

"Are you okay?"

I'd ask as she replied,

"I'm fine, you play guitar so perfectly."

before she turned around facing me. She walked up to me and praised my skills, before heading out of the room.

I'd grab my guitar and continue practicing my song. It meant a lot to me as it expresses how I felt in the current moment. It was a rather depressing tune but it would help me cope with everything going on in the moment. I'd play for a while as I wanted to perfect it as best as I could. Hoping that someday more than just family could hear it. I'd want it to be played worldwide one day.

I would then hear my mom walk back inside and rushing into the living room. She quickly began to talk with Claire. I could hear the distraught in her voice as she then walked into my room, full of tears in her eyes.

"Your dad won't make it."

She'd say as I slowly put my guitar down, she'd quickly rush out of the room not being able to bear it. The whole cabin would just grow silent besides her cries. I didn't know what to feel.

Claire quickly rushed into my room to make sure I was fine. I was full of emotions but I couldn't release them. I felt really shocked by the sudden news that I couldn't express them. She quickly hugged me and tried not to tear up. I tried to stay strong so I didn't upset her. Even if it meant I would be stuttering over my words, I know how it hurts her.