Life (Jessalyn's view)

Always with you...

 For the next half a year or so, I didn't hear much from Emery. When I would text her and ask how she was doing, she'd say fine or ok. I asked her how school was going and she'd say that she was getting teased sometimes and stuff like that. I knew that everything wasn't ok. She seemed very distant and vague, but I didn't think that there was anything serious going on. 

 Then one day, while I was cleaning shalom for a group that was coming that next day, I got a call from Emery's mom. 

 "Hello Mrs. Friesen," I said.

 "Hi Jessalyn. I need you to come to the hospital. It's Emery," She said. 

 "What happened?" I asked frantically. My heart started to pound in my chest and felt like it was going to explode. 

 "She went unconscious at school today and the doctors think she has anorexia," Mrs. Friesen explained. 

 "I'll be there right away," I said as I ran up the stairs to my room I share the news with Taylor. I grabbed my car keys, jacket and bible. I jumped in my car and headed down the highway towards the hospital. I arrived at the hospital ten minutes later. Mrs. Friesen was waiting in the lobby when I arrived. She lead the way to Emery's room as she explained what had happened. Emery had been throwing up everything she would eat or wouldn't eat anything at all. Her body was shutting down from lack of nutrition and food. Then Mrs. Friesen opened the door.

"Emery, someone is here to see you."

I stood there. She looked so life less and extremely skinny. I wondered how this girl that was so full of life could look like this in only a matter of months.

"Hi Em," I said as I walked toward the chair beside her hospital bed.

"Hi," Emery said quietly, "How'd you know I was here?"

"Your mom called me."

"Oh, she shouldn't have," she replied. She seemed annoyed and a bit angry that I knew.

"I'm glad she called me. Why didn't you tell me about this earlier?" I asked.

"I didn't want you to worry about me."

"There's more isn't there Em?" I asked, knowing she was partially lying. 

"I... Didn't want you to know. I was scared that you would tell my parents or make me go to counseling or something like that." It seemed to spill out of her, like she had been holding it in for months. 

"Em, I probably would've done all that but I would've done it because I love you and don't want you to go through this alone, without support." 

 Emery looked at my surprised then her face crumpled up and she started to cry. I held her hand, trying to comfort her. She gripped it with what strength she had.

I picked up my bible and looked for Isaiah 4:1-3. Once I found it I read it to Emery. "Do not fear for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through the fire you shall not be burned, and the flames shall not consume you. For I am the lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.' Emery, always remember that God is with you as you go through this. Whatever happens, he's always with you." I then prayed with her. I wanted to do something more but knew that this was where God put me and it was all the help that Emery needed.