A Second Wave-The Surge

Chapter 26-Shelby

Chapter 26

Shelby

"That was a productive day," I say to Eduardo as we board the boat from our last village. Luckily, the cases are not too severe in each of the villages. The first village was the worst. Two people had already passed away with two more with significant symptoms, but they seem to be recovering as the symptoms are not getting worse.

We provided treatment to them and tested the rest of the village which were negative. Through the interpreter we went over what to do for social distancing as much as possible, provided them with masks and supplies. We were also able to convince them to allow the outsource team that was established to follow up with the village.

The villagers already said that they would not go to the hospital. They do not go into the city. That is probably one of the saving graces why some of the villages have not been wiped out. Keeping away from the general population will probably be safe for many of them. Each of the villages as we got farther away from the city had fewer cases and less severe symptoms. I came to the conclusion that the farther away the better they were.

"We are going to travel a further bit down the river to the post and dock there for the night and then start up the other side and then back to the city tomorrow," the captain says. I make my way to the front of the boat and sit on the padded seat as I watch the sun set. It is more amazing than anything I have ever seen. The sky is filled with orange and red glow and the sun looks like it is disappearing into the depths of the river. Just then I think of my place in Italy and the sunsets in the gardens. This time Simon is standing with me. I can even see his face. He is talking to me about something but I still can't make it out. What I can make out is his smile at me that reaches his eyes.

"Shelby," Eduardo says. "Did you hear me?"

"No sorry, what's up?" I say, looking away from the sunset

"Where did you go? We are docking in a couple of minutes and then the captain has dinner ready."

"I was just watching the sunset. It is so beautiful. So natural and it reminded me of Italy and my gardens when Simon and I..." I stop my sentence and start walking to where dinner is going to be. Eduardo grabs my arm and turns me to face him.

"Oh no you don't. You remembered something about you and Simon."

"Yes," I say softly and look down.

"What? That is good news, why are you upset?" he asks.

"I don't know, it wasn't much. I just remember standing on the patio with him and his smile. He was talking but I couldn't hear what he was saying." I don't want to say what else I am thinking as it seems personal still, even though Eduardo is a professional and I need to confide in him.

"There is more isn't there," he probes like I knew he would. He pulls me to sit back down and he sits next to me, not removing his hand from mine. In fact, he puts his other hand over mine. "Shelby, you are safe, remember that. You have nothing to fear in remembering. You need to keep telling yourself that. Your conscious and subconscious are connected. Don't be afraid."

"I'm not afraid," I say shyly and then look down. "Well, maybe a little." I am afraid, but what am I afraid of? Am I afraid that Simon and I had something and then I ruined it? Why would he have not told me if we did? Maybe he didn't like me like that but I did. Being the gentleman, I know he is and me being the control person I can be. Maybe I was hurt and my mind is saving me from another lost love. I have protected myself for so long, why would I not keep my heart hidden. "Well, maybe a little." I look at Eduardo.

"Think of it this way. Is it better knowing and dealing with it or would you rather go on with the dreams and flashes torturing you daily? Making you constantly wonder what it is you're trying to tell yourself. Maybe it is something good. Did you ever think of that? Think about it." He finishes, tapping my knee and getting up to walk to the galley for dinner.

I turn to look back at the setting sun. The reddish orange glow barely skimming the water surfaces as the black of the sky appears above littered with a million stars lighting our night. Maybe it was something good. I look up, almost asking the universe to tell me what am I hiding from. A shooting star flashes by, reminding me of my own flashes. Bright and brilliant at first then dimming to nonexistence, not leaving a trace to search for its brilliance it started at. Just then a flash comes across my eyes and I close them hoping to make it last. It is Simon at work but we are in a break room and he is sitting next to me. His hand comes to my cheek softly, brushing my hair away. His words sound soft, I can hear his voice this time but can't make out the words. His face comes closer to mine as if he may kiss me. Gone just like the shooting star came in, brilliant and gone. Maybe Eduardo is right and I need to stop worrying and not be afraid. I stand up to join the others for dinner and glance back again and see no glow, just the stillness of the river and the noises of nature. "It will be better soon," I say out loud, not sure who I am trying to convince — the jungle we are disturbing or me.