Wearing Her Shoes

Family Ties

Sara's POV 

"What?!"

"Has he been acting suspiciously the past few days?" Doctor Richard asked.

"No, I-I don't know, I didn't really notice, but now that I think of it, he was slightly isolated and not really the cheerful person I knew."

"Can you recall when did this exactly happen?"

"Hmm, since Granny Smith died, I guess," I replied.

"Yes, this explains it. Were they that close?" he asked.

"Hmm, I guess." He gave me a suspicious look and I corrected myself instantly, "Yes, yes, they were. In fact, we all were. It's just that I'm usually working the whole time, so I don't really notice such things. I'm a busy woman, you know."

He frowned. "Yes, I understand Ms. Williams, but you need to give your brother much of your attention these days. If we weren't lucky enough today, he would've been dead. You need to search his room for any other means he might use to hurt himself, and most importantly, you need to take him as soon as possible to a psychiatrist. He can't eat anything other than light soups for two days until his stomach settles. Pass by the hospital's pharmacy and get these medicines," he said handing me a paper with more details and a brochure about suicide.

"Yes, of course. Don't worry, I will do anything I can to make sure he'll stay safe and healthy for the coming days," I said.

"It was nice meeting you, Ms. Williams. I hope I won't have to see you in such occasions again," he smiled.

"Thank you so much. It was my pleasure. I have no idea what would've happened if you weren't there to save Adam," I replied.

"Don't mention it. It's my job," and with that said, he left.

            I had to wait a few minutes before the nurse helped Adam out of the room I was waiting in front of. I took his arm and helped him to the nearest chair. The nurse left, and I was alone with a ghost-like resemblance of a human. We were silent for a few minutes. Adam was avoiding my gaze. "How are you feeling now?" I started.

"I'm fine, alive," he replied still looking away.

"Good, I won't ask why you did it if that's what you're worried about." He was silent but I continued nevertheless, "I won't judge you either. I understand how suicide is such an intriguing option when life smacks you so hard in the face. I won't even tell you why you didn't fight against it. I'm sorry I never noticed you were suffering. I should've been by your side. I first thought I was just a replacement for Sam in front of the media, so they won't recognize that she traveled for treatment, but I was mistaken. I had to replace Sam, the sister, more than Sam, the actress. I realized you guys needed your sister's support in these tough days, and I'm sorry I wasn't a really good substitute for her," I rambled straying from the topic as I usually did when I tried giving someone advice.

"Are you going to tell them," he asked.

"Who?"

"Everyone, Samilia, Mike, and Dan, please don't tell Mike!" he begged.

I fell silent. "I can't promise you," I said at last.

"Pleaaase," he pleaded weakly, "If you tell them, I'll be in big trouble."

"But it's a huge responsibility. I can't carry it on my own," I said.

"Sara, Mike is going to be so disappointed in me. He's going to hate me," he cried.

"Why didn't you think of that before?" I said. "What if you died today, wouldn't he be even more disappointed? He will not hate you. No one hates his little brother, especially when he's as sweet as you are."