JUST A LITTLE COMFORT

C H A P T E R E L E V E N

This felt so surreal. I was going back. I never ever thought I'd go back. I was on the plane, with Amir, wearing Cole's black jacket. I felt worse off than when I was eighteen coming here for the first time. I had my aunt back then and didn't have a whole other person to look after. 

I was really banking on someone being there or I'd need to find a way to work and take care of Amir. I landed. I was shaking while trying to get a taxi. I had so much anxiety right now and Amir was fussing the whole trip which stressed me out some more. His nose was runny. He felt warm. I just needed somewhere safe!

I lagged the one bag we had around while holding onto him tightly. He wanted me to carry him because he was scared. I had to beg him to just walk. Just for now. Till we got somewhere. He cried until I held him. My body was tired. We first had to travel for hours on a bus, then wait in the airport before we could board the plane. Then board another plane. I hadn't eaten anything properly in 24 hours, I was beginning to feel the effects of it.

I got to Cole and Julia's apartment building and felt hopeful. I had a burst of energy now. The door man recognised me. I couldn't believe it was the same doorman. He was so surprised to see me once he recognised me. I asked him if Julia and Cole still lived there. He said they did but no one was home. Julia had left earlier, and he hadn't seen Cole either. He buzzed their apartment but there was no answer. He noticed that Amir looked unwell and told me about a free clinic at the hospital. I thanked him and realised that I couldn't just wait here. Amir really didn't look okay. So, I went to the free clinic at Green Acre Health Care. I realised this was the hospital Cole used to work in. I wondered if he was here. 

The free clinic was efficient. There was a young doctor who was really friendly and calm and she tended to Amir. I just sat on the chair, putting my bag down, finally feeling a little relief. Amir was scared so I had to comfort him again. She told me he had the flu and prescribed some medication for him. I hardly had money left, so this was stressing me out more. The only thing that kept me going was knowing that Cole and Julia still lived there. I went to the reception upstairs at the hospital and tried to find out where Cole was. I eventually found out he was busy with surgery. 

I went back to their building and decided to wait with David, the doorman. I was so exhausted. He let me sit on his chair and even helped me with Amir. I hoped Julia wasn't partying through the night. I was falling asleep on the chair, holding Amir close to me, who was now asleep. I heard a voice echo after a few hours. She was talking on the phone. The door man followed her and put his hand on her shoulder. She turned and smiled, "Hey David..." She said to him.

"There's a visitor here for you..." He told her. She looked at him, confused and I struggled to stand because Amir was fast asleep in my arms. David took him from me and Julia just looked at me as I stood up. She still looked the same. She looked so beautiful. She had a black fitted dress on with a pretty, silver handbag and jewellery to match and this sleek long blonde hair now. She looked like she came back from a fun night out.

She let out a slow breath before saying, "Sydney?" I nodded, with tears in my eyes. Her eyes went wide. She came over to me and hugged me.

"WHAT! WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN? Oh, EM GEE. Do you know how worried sick we were about you! What in the world, Sydney? I have so much to ask you. Let's go up!" She said, holding my shoulders and studying my face. She took my bag and I took Amir. I was shaking and had so many emotions running through me. 

Their apartment had some furniture changes, but it still looked the same. It brought me so much comfort. I told her I was so glad they were still here. She said if I had come a year earlier, I wouldn't have found her because she was living in Italy. 

There was so much going on in my head, but I was so glad Amir was tucked in a warm bed and we were safe. She gave me a huge hug and we just sat on the couch.