Saving Olivia

Call me now

It was during my lunch break at work that I got a text from Mason. I opened the message, this was the first time he ever texted me. The message contained three words.

'Call me now.'

"Bossy man." I muttered as I pressed the button that would call his phone. I listened to it ring two times before he answered.

"Liv."

My heart seemed to freeze. Something was wrong, his voice was tense, worried. I could sense the underlying panic "Mason, what's wrong? What happened?"

"It's my mom. I called 911 but they're not here yet. Liv, can you come over?"

"I'm at work right now, let me-"

"Never mind. Stay there." His voice was heavy with disappointment. He sounded almost lost.

"Mason, let me finish. I was saying I am at work now but let me do the drawer and close up and I'll be over. Or should I just meet you at the hospital?"

"Hospital. And hurry, Liv."

"I will." Even as I promised I could hear sirens in the back ground. I hung up and was quick to count the cash drawer and put the money in the safe. Locking the door, I hurried to the closest bus stop. I had never heard Mason sound so forlorn before. Usually he was spouting confidence and teasing. Today he sounded so broken. I couldn't imagine what could be wrong with his mother. I didn't want to imagine it. Even though I had never met the women, I was concerned for her. Fearful, even. Masons voice told me that this was serious. He wanted me with him. That's why he called. But what could I do? There was a twenty minute ride to the hospital. I decided to call Lydia and get some advice. I didn't know how to help Mason or his mom but Lydia would. Today is Saturday so I knew she would be home. I called her house phone.

"Hi, this is Lydia. Leave me a message. If I don't call you back I'm either too busy or ignoring you." Beep.

"Lydia, this is Liv. I need some-"

"Baby girl! How are you?"

"I need some advice actually. Would you have any to spare me?"

"Darling, advice is something I've got plenty of! Most folks just don't appreciate it. Now tell me what's wrong. You sound worried."

"I am. I just talked to Mason. Something is wrong with his mom. They're taking her to the hospital."

"Oh, no! Honey!"

"Mason asked if I would come to the hospital. I left work and I'm on the bus now but I just don't know how to help him. I can't fix his mother and words can't help him."

"You might be surprised. Remember that day you fell asleep during gym class while you were running? Remember how the kids made fun of you?"

"Yes, but what does that-"

"Everything! Honey, when you came home you were so upset, you were crying and saying that you'd never go back to school again."

"I said that I hated myself." I whispered, the day all those years ago was coming back to me.

"Do you remember what I did to help you feel better?"

"You sat on my bed and held me. You said that they make fun of things they don't understand." I sniffled a little as I remembered all those past feelings. "You said you loved me. Exactly as I am."

"What do you think Mason wants from you, Livy?"

"Me to tell him that I love him?"

"Olivia!"

I stifled my giggles as I dashed the tears from my eyes.

"Want to try again?" Lydia asked me in an amused voice.

"He wants a friend to support him. To let him know that he isn't alone. No matter what happens."

"Are you his friend, Liv?"

I thought about Mason. Pushy, annoying Mason. Kind and generous Mason. Mason invaded my life several weeks ago. He wouldn't leave when I told him to. He called me names that drove me crazy. He made me supper. He made a friend of Lydia. He carried me when I fell. Both times. He didn't call me a freak. He calmly understood.

"He's been my friend all along, Lydia."

"Darlin, you are so blind. Are you just now figuring that out?"

"I've been so mean to him. I keep pushing him away and all he was doing was trying to be my friend."

Lydia didn't make a comment to this but I knew that she didn't need to. With a few questions she got me thinking. I know the answers to my questions."

"I want to be his friend too."

"Then I guess you know what you need to do, right?"

"Not exactly. But I'll figure it out as I go."

"Good girl. You go and be a friend to that man. Don't disappoint him. He needs you now."

"I won't, Lydia. Bye."

"Bye-bye. And I love you, peanut."

"Love you more."

I hung up and slid my phone into my pocket just as the bus approached the stop near the hospital. I grabbed my purse and walked across the street to the hospital. Just before I entered the large brick building, I got a text message.

'3rd floor. Waiting room.'

I took the elevator to the third floor. It was easy to find the waiting room. Mason was sitting in a wooden chair, staring blanking at the tv.

"Mason."

His head snapped around. "Livy." A single tear slid down his cheek.

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