Ezra Lucas

Ezra-7-Lucas

BOOM!

I awake with a startle and try to calm my heavy and loud breathing. I close my eyes and push away the awful dream. My throat feels like it's closing every time I swallow. A single tear slowly makes its way down my face and neck. I slide down in my bed and close my eyes.

Lord, please let me sleep. Take a bad dream away. I need You...

E×L

"Ezra!" Madeline exclaims while jogging towards our locker. "You will never believe what just happened! A-." She pauses and stares at me for a second. Her smile drops and she shoves her hands in her back pockets. "Everything okay?"

I glance at our locker and close my eyes for a moment. I shake my head and close the locker. I turn away from her and start walking.

"Ezra!" Madeline grabs my arm and slightly pulls me back. "Where are you going? You can't leave school."

"Watch me," I argue and I continue in the direction of the exit.

When I'm outside, angry tears pour down my cheeks and I start running.

E×L

I study my hand. It's a relationship. The tears that had stopped fifteen minutes ago, slide down my face again. I fall back into the grass so I'm laying down.

God, why am I feeling this way? I left school. I can't stop crying. I upset -hurt- Madeline. What am I supposed to be doing? What do I need to do? I feel so lost. The only person here on Earth that cares is Grams.

GRAMS!

I scramble to my feet and run as hard and fast as I possibly can, but it doesn't feel enough. After what feels like hours, I burst through the door.

"Grams! Where are you? Grams!" I call out and search the small house.

I find her in her room laying down. "Grams?"

She turns her head to me, but her eyes are closed. She is covered with a thin layer of sweat and her breathing isn't normal.

"Grams?" I touch her forehead and she's burning up. I gently shake her shoulders. "Grams?"

She shakes her head slightly and groans.

I step out of the room and head for the kitchen while pulling out my phone. I dial 911 and explain to the operator that Grams needs an ambulance and she confirms it will be here shortly. I gather her medicines, an outfit for her, and a few snacks. I put all of it in a bag and sit beside Gram's bed.

God, please let her be okay. I'm trusting you.

E×L

My eyes focus on the plain white hospital wall.

"Sir, have you eaten?" The nurse gazes at me and I shake my head. "I'll get you something."

I shake my head. "I can get something."

"Would you like me to stay here with your grandmother while you are out?" She questions.

"Don't you have other patients?" I stand up.

She nods and smiles. "However, your grandmother is my favorite patient. I will be glad to sit for a while with her."

"I will be back soon," I state and step out the door. I close it and bump into someone as I turn. "I'm sorry." I gawk at the girl in front of me. "Madeline?"

"Ezra?"

"I'm so sorry about earlier today, Madeline."

"Apology accepted. Why are you here?"

"My grandmother. She has some kind of infection and is unconscious. They said she is sleeping."

"Oh, that's terrible!"

"Why are you here?"

"I'm visiting my older sister. She works here." I nod. We stand there for a minute and I search my brain for something to say. Suddenly, she wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me down slightly. "She's going to be okay. If you need anything, let me know. God's got this."

I wrap my arms around her and rest my chin on her shoulder. I start crying and I get choked up. "She's all I have, Madeline."

She rubs my back comforting me and whispers in my ear.