Seas Between

Chapter 5

I searched through flights on my laptop for hours that night. Ava sat at the end of my bed, curled up and sleeping. I fell asleep over mu laptop and woke up to the glowing screen the next morning. I decided I had to see a trip adviser. My parents paid for my appointment out of their own want. I pulled on a striped purple top and white capris. It was getting warm out. I threw mu sunglasses in my bag and a good book. I had breakfast and drove to the mall, where I would meet the trip advisor.

I told the lady at the counter that I would like to see the trip advisor, who then told me to take a seat. I sat down next to the counter and took out my book and flipped through the pages, trying to find where I left off. I always forget to buy a bookmark. I found the page, a little further than halfway done the book. I read of romance and comedy though I was not looking for a boy and probably never would be.

I was content just being single and having her good friends. I had a few. It wasn't just Alex. There was Avery and Vida too. I just wasn't as close with them. I was flipping the last page of a chapter when I was called in. I sat across from the trip advisor as she introduced herself. "Hi, I'm Charity Truman." She was a young woman, early twenties for sure. She wore a white, lace v-neck top. Her red hair was in a blue headband and she wore silver dangling earrings. She had a tattoo spreading across the back of her neck, just barely visible from the front accompanied by a thin, chain necklace.

"Katrina Massey, nice to meet you."

After I talked to the trip advisor, I went to work. I soaked people's nails and filed them down. I kept thinking of Alex. I really missed him. That day I got a few dollars' worth of tips. I set them all aside for my trip.

I got lunch in the food court and ate my sub on the bus. I had also picked up a chicken stir fry, but that I wouldn't eat. I wasn't on my way home. I was going to the hospital. My little brother was in there for the past few months. He had developed a cancer at the top of his spinal cord. The doctors didn't think he would make it. I didn't want to leave him. I couldn't. Every time I went to see him I wanted to change my mind and stay with him. He was only eight years old. He didn't deserve this sickness. Freddie had brown hair like me and we had the same blue eyes with brown scattered about, intensifying around the pupils. We had the same short noses and the same smile.

"Hey Freddie, I brought you some chicken from the food court." I held out a Styrofoam box. He took a big whiff of the chicken. It smelled so good.

"Aw, thanks sis! Ya always know what I want." He smiled and toke the chicken. He opened the box and looked at the steamy butter chicken. "You're awesome."

"Thanks silly"

He raised his knees. "Sit down" He gestured towards the end of the bed where his legs were before. I nearly sat on his feet.

"Hey! Watch it there!"

"I know," I shifted away from his legs. "So buddy, how are you doing?"

"Ya know you don't need to ask that, I'm fine, I'm sick, but feeling fine."

"Okay. So, are you glad you're missing school? I bet the kids all wish they didn't have to go."

"School? Nah, school is way better than this hospital bed, all the injections and medicine and such."

"Oh, you get to watch all your shows though, that must be fun."

"I admit, marathons of my favorite shows were exciting at first but living in this bed for so long, ugh, it's worse than school. School is better."

"That's a lot to say."

"It's extreme cases. I think I can say that."

"Yeah, well Freddie, I can't wait to see you home again."

"Don't count on it."

"I will count on it. You will get better. I promise." I felt the fake smile tighten my cheeks and I knew I made a mistake. I would hate myself for that promise. Freddie smiled and stretched out his arms. I hugged him and a single tear fell down my cheek.

"I love you Katrina." He smiled at me as a nurse walked in.

"I'm sorry but you have to go now. Freddie needs to take his medicine." She politely told me. Freddie started gobbling up his chicken. He threw out the box as I walked out the door.

"See you tomorrow chicken."

"Hey!"

"You are what you eat!" I said loudly just down the hall.