The Dark Days

Chapter 7

When we reached his room we switched places, and roles. Me bringing his chair to his bedside, while he curled himself up under his blankets, just like I had done. He reminded of a little child, frightened by something that seems silly to others, like a thunderstorm or even "the monster in his closet" that he had been warned about.

His eyes were wide and full to the brim with tears, as he looked up at me, waiting for me to begin, so that is exactly what I did.

"Well I know the feeling of finding yourself stuck out on the ledge. And there ain't no healing from cutting yourself with the jagged edge. I'm telling you that, it's never that bad, take it from someone who's been where you're at. Laid out on the floor and you're not sure you can take this anymore.

So just give it one more try to a lullaby and turn this up on the radio. If you can hear me now I'm reaching out to let you know that you're not alone. And if you can't tell, I'm scared as hell 'cause I can't get you on the telephone. so just close your eyes. Oh, honey here comes a lullaby, your very own lullaby."

During the pause before the next verse I had to mentally prepare myself. Singing this was harder than I thought it would be.

"Please let me take you out of the darkness and into the light. 'Cause I have faith in you, that you're gonna make it through another night. Stop thinking about the easy way out. There's no need to go and blow the candle out. Because you're not done, you're far too young and the best is yet to come.

So just give it one more try to a lullaby and turn this up on the radio. If you can hear me now I'm reaching out to let you know that you're not alone. And if you can't tell, I'm scared as hell 'cause I can't get you on the telephone. So just close your eyes. Oh, honey here comes a lullaby, your very own lullaby."

I knew the next steps to take to ensure Louis would fall asleep. I climbed off the chair and sat on the edge of the bed. Slowly I reached my hand up and just ran my fingers through his hair. I could feel him and see him visibly relax under my comforting touch. I know he'll be asleep soon.

"Well, everybody's hit the bottom, everybody's been forgotten. When everybody's tired of being alone, yeah, everybody's been abandoned and left a little empty handed. So if you're out there barely hanging on...

Just give it on more try to a lullaby and turn this up on the radio. If you can hear me now I'm reaching out to let you know that you're not alone. And if you can't tell, I'm scared as hell 'cause I can't get you on the telephone. So just close your eyes. Oh, honey here comes a lullaby, your very own lullaby. Oh, honey here comes a lullaby, your very own lullaby. Oh, honey here comes a lullaby, your very own lullaby."

When I finished the room went silent. Then I heard Louis's extremely quiet snores, and I know I had done my job.