Don't Let Go.

Was It All A Dream... Or Something?

Violet awakes as Ashley throws a pillow at her in annoy. " Wake up already. Eric has been texting you like crazy. He wants to talk to you about your therapy sessions. " Ashley says as she walks over to the kitchen. Ashley is wearing short pajamas shorts and a oversized t-shirt. Her hair is tucked into a loose ponytail. Ashley pours black coffee into a small red glass mug. Her feet silent from the solid marble tile. Violet opens her eyes slowly as a bright shining light escapes from the window that opens into the loft. Violet's eyes are dazed as she stretches upward. Her hair is messy and frizzy. As her clothes are wrinkled. Violet is wearing short black pajama shorts and a long blue shirt that drapes over her knees. Violet lifts herself up as she reaches for her wheelchair and pulls herself up. Violet then adjusts herself into a proper position.

" Come on, Vi! He's texting you like crazy! You better get up before he comes over again. " Ashley yells as she goes down the hall and into the bathroom. Violet rubs her eyes in tiredness. Violet pushes herself over to her dresser. The dresser is tall and painted over with white paint. The drawers are open as clothes hang out sloppily. Violet takes out a pair of jean shorts and a plain black shirt.

" Ok, Ash! " Violet yells as she moves forward in her chair. " Can you come help me get dressed? " Violet asks. Violet puts down the clothes on her lap as she folds the sloppy clothes draped over the dresser. Violet tucks some of the clothes back into the dresser just as Ashley walks down the hall approaching Violet. " OK. Go on the bed. " Ashley says as Violet nods and hands Ashley the two pieces of clothing. Violet pushes herself over to the low raised bed as she throws herself onto the covers. Violet sits herself up as she takes off her shirt and bra. Ashley takes her dirty clothes and places them into their laundry bin. Ashley goes digging through the tall dresser as she hands Violet a bra. Violet reaches the hook on the bra as she successfully attaches both ends. Violet takes the light knitted shirt and places it over her head. Violet pulls down the shirt as she takes off her underwear. Ashley hands her a pair of soft and cozy panties. Violet pulls them over her right leg and struggles to pulls it over her left knee. Ashley walks over Violet as she helps her and gently pulls it over. Violet lays down on the bed as her face brightens in embarrassment. Ashley takes the shorts and puts them over Violet's leg and knee.

This was Violet's everyday routine. Everyday, Violet felt like a baby. Kind of like Ashley was her mom. Changing her clothes, helping her out of her chair, and showering with her. Ashley never had the money to install anything for Violet in the bathroom. So, Violet sits on a plastic light weighted chair and Ashley bathes her. Every morning was the same for Violet.

" K. All done. Get ready in the bathroom. Call if you need anything. " Ashley says as she turns around and walks down the hall into the kids room. Ashley then closes the door quietly. Violet climbs into her chair as she pushes her self down the hall into the bathroom. Violet closes the door behind her as she turns around and faces the sink. Violet reaches up as she splashes water on her face. Violet shuts off the faucet. Violet lifts herself up so she can see herself in the mirror. Her face is red and exhausted. Her brown eyes urge for sleep. Violet's hair is a tangled mess. She reaches up for the comb on the counter and begins to brush her hair. After her hair is untangled and tame, she brushes it up and ties it into a ponytail. Violet finishes her morning routine as she hears a loud "Ding!" on her phone.

Violet opens the bathroom door as she pushes herself out into the hallways and down into the living room. Violet picks up her phone as she reads a text from Eric, " Violet. Come over! I'm tired of your bullshit. I thought we forgot about the past and started over again. I thought we would do what was best for Lilly. But I guess we need to rethink our parenting. " Eric says. " Wait, didn't he send this to me yesterday? " Violet says to herself. Violet unlocks her phone as she taps the text icon and scrolls down to Eric's contact. Violet taps the screen as she starts typing. I don't want to talk to you from what happened yesterday. Y' know, telling me to come over because you want to say sorry, is lame. I don't want to hear your excuses. Stop sending the same texts as yesterday. It won't change anything. " Violet says out loud before sending. Violet sends the text as Eric immediately texts back.

" What are you talking about? I never texted you at all yesterday. " Eric says. " Uh. Yea. You did. When I came over and you yelled at me; saying I was being immature and that I needed to grow up. You said that I treated you and Ash like shit. And that I need to get my act together for Lilly. " Violet texts back in confusion. Eric doesn't respond for minutes until he finally says, " Come over now. " Violet rolls her eyes. Violet turns around as she pushes herself down the hallway and in front of the apartment door. Violet bends over as she picks up her leather boot and slides her foot in; she then pulls up the zipper. " Why is he acting so weird? And why did he text me in the first place? " Violet asks herself before she closes the apartment door and goes down the hallway in her chair. Violet lifts her arm up as she pushes the down arrow symbol. " As Violet waits for the elevator to arrive, she checks the date on her phone.

It reads: January 21, 2016. " Huh? This was yesterday." Violet thought to herself. "Was I just dreaming?" She asks before the doors slide open and she goes in as she pushes in the " Floor 1" button. The doors close as Violet descends.