We returned
To our original seats
After we handed
The projects in.
I sat alone now,
And I missed you,
But you didn't know.
Or did you?
You still smiled at me
When I turned around,
And walked with me
To our English class.
I don't know why.
You were weird
Like that.
You'd call me,
Little Red!
In the halls.
No one knew who
Little Red was,
But you and I did.
-
Then something terrible happened.
-
You have leukemia,
They told me.
I'm sorry.
That dreaded word.
I dropped out of school
Soon after the news
And had to stay home or
In the hospital.
I chose home, of course.
You didn't know
Where I lived,
So we didn't see
Each other.
Sometimes,
When my brothers
Were at school,
And my parents
Were working,
I would walk
To the walk down the street
In my bathrobe and pajamas
To sit on the benches
And people-watch.
Children would play,
Not noticing me,
And I could hear
Their laughter.
I could not play anymore,
Because I was broken.
-
You somehow found me.
A few weeks
After I left school.
You knocked on my door,
And my mom answered.
Hi,
You said,
I'm here to see Macy.
Is she available?
I'm a friend
Of hers.
My mother looked over to
Where I was sitting
On the couch.
Are you up for
A visitor?
She mouthed.
I shrugged.
She let you in,
Without another word,
Probably because I had never
Had a friend
At my house.
Or any friend.
You came over
And sat on the couch
Beside me.
Hello, Little Red,
You said.
Hi,
I replied.
My doctor told me
To talk more
So people would
Remember me
When I died,
Because I was going
To die soon.
A little harsh,
If you ask me.
But no one did.
You talk now,
You raised your eyebrows,
Yes, I do,
Because I was told
To talk.
I heard you're sick,
You muttered.
Do they talk
About me?
I asked you,
My eyes wide.
No, nothing like that,
I overheard the
English teacher talking.
Is it true?
I wouldn't, couldn't
Meet your eyes.
It's cancer,
I told you quietly.
You looked at my face
For the first time
Since you arrived.
I don't want you
To be sick.
You said.
I don't want me
To be sick either.
I tried to get you
To laugh, but
It didn't work.
And now, you
Won't get better.
I shook my head,
And a tear slid
Down your cheek,
Surprising me.
Were you crying
Because of the disease,
Or because of me?
I cried with you.
YOU ARE READING
Adam & Macy | ✓
Short StoryMacy (n) ; a petite, shy girl who barely ever talks Adam (n) ; the boy who is determined to change her life