My uncle and I sat in a silence that lasted centuries. He stopped wiping tears from his eyes to offer me a strained smiled.
"So it's okay that I'm not okay?" I asked quietly. My uncle nodded and sighed. As habit, he rolled up his blue sleeves and I could tell he trying to think of something to say. "You don't have to say anything. I'm alright." I yawned, straightening out my legs.
"You need a nap?" He chuckled lightly, trying to lighten the mood in the room. "I'll let you sleep, buddy." He sighed without waiting for my reply. As tired as I was, sleep was the last thing I needed. I could almost feel a nightmare breathing down my neck.
"No!" I paused and started again. "I'm not tired." I've become an impulsive liar. I could feel my blood turn cold despite me being under covers.
For a moment, Uncle Levi seemed shocked at my outburst, but I promise this guy knows me like the back of his hand. "You know you're supposed to tell me when you have nightmares. Keeping them to yourself won't help." He almost looked at me as if I were his son who needed guidance.
"Levi, if you had a son, what would you say to him?" I asked. His eyes smiled back at me as stood up.
"I'd tell him that trying to change the subject is not going to make me forget about his nightmares. So tell me," he continued, "what kind of things have you been dreaming about?"
I was stunned. To most people, it would've seemed like duh, he considers you his son! But to me, it warmed my blood and made me forget my nightmares. I smiled, something I hadn't done in a long time. Then, after a split-second, my happiness crumbled down and my fear of the ocean was exposed once more. I shuddered and pulled the thin sheets over me like a fur coat.
"I drowned. Well, I was drowning. The morning of the last day of school I dreamt that I was falling through water. All I remember was how afraid I was, how cold I was. I thought it was real." I caught my breath, the weight of the statement hitting me. "When I woke up, I felt the cold still. It was wrapped around me and I couldn't get it off. Like it was stuck." I looked up at Uncle Levi hoping he could help me. I didn't exactly know what kind of response I was looking for, but I knew he had the right answer somewhere in there.
"Call me crazy, Whitaker, but I feel like your fear of the ocean is what's keeping you from healing. You need to conquer this fear of yours."
My brain instantly thought of Cass. She had said the same thing. I felt bad for brushing her off like I had the last day of school. "I know." Was all I could say. "Maybe I could use some sleep after all. I mean, I do have a little headache." I yawned again before falling back on my pillow.
"Call me if you need anything, I'll be in the lobby." Uncle Levi ruffled before leaving the room, shutting the door gently behind him. I pulled the covers tightly over me, trying to get warm. Sleep called my name and thankfully, it was stronger than the voice of fear that warned me of my nightmares.
Sleep...
"Whitaker?!" I sat up and looked at the figure in the doorway and a smile spread over my face.
"Cass? What are you doing here?" I asked, all the sleepiness leaving me suddenly.
She slid in the door, careful not to make so much noise. "My mom's a nurse here and I overheard this man talking about you to a woman who looked quite angry." She looked at me and read what I was thinking. "Why are you here?"
