ISOLATION

3.

David's pov

I'm losing her, a part of her that is also a part of me. As her passions burn out, I struggle to be the light that reignites them. But I can't even keep myself aflame. This entire week I know she's been locked away in her room. She tends to do that a lot. It never felt too deteriorating. If anything, she'd always come back rejuvenated. she is just a loner that needs alone time. But this week has been different. I'm afraid, but it wasn't the incident in the woods that scares me. It's this feeling of losing her. I'm afraid we are losing each other.

Summer has been distant for too long. Now because of this strange hardship she overcame in the woods, I feel like she's giving up. I've never been one to express these kinds of thoughts. I doubt anyone but Summer would consider me to be an emotionally intuitive person. I just want to be a positive influence on people's lives. I want to be that happy contagion. Unfortunately, I don't think my way will solve this. I don't think it'll bring her back to me. So I'm going to confront her and then I'm going to get her some professional help. First help her, and then help me to save each other.

"It was probably just some crazy homeless person, I-I'll get over it" Summer tries convincing herself. She's zoning out over a bowl of ice cream. With all of the pillows and blankets pushed to the opposite side of the couch, she sits in a tight little ball. Her knees press against her chest. The bowl of ice cream is held close to her face. Her hair, still soaking wet, lays flat down her back. "It really scared the hell out of me though- hahm-" Her laugh tilts the bowl and the metal spoon slides around the glass rim. She stares at it as if the high pitched sound said something to her. "I don't know what she wanted or what the hell even happened- to cause me to pass out like that- that's never happened to me before. It's just unsettling, ya know- not knowing..."

I join her on the couch. I bundle myself up in the blanket and stuff some pillows behind my back. With my body facing hers I lift up a corner of the blanket. "Come here." I say lightly. It's such a simple gesture, but Summer hesitates to react. "Babe?" My eyes glisten with enthusiasm. I try my best to counteract her troubled behavior with a little dose of normality. "I'm waiting." I smile.

Finally, Summer looks over at me. A natural grin barley lifts the corners of her lips, but it's just enough to bring her back temporarily. The space between us is filled. I hold her close. I even steal a bit of her ice cream. Summer elbows me in the chest before eating the last of it. "So when does your schedule pick up for horror nights?" Summer asks me about work. Maybe she wants to distract herself, or maybe she's genuinely curious: regardless I won't know for sure. I'll go along with it. "Well employee preview night is this weekend so the following Thursday, I'll be very booked and busy-aye."

"I can still come next weekend though right? I want to see you perform." She speaks softly, almost desolate.

"Yeah, Johnny's gunna get you in, didn't he message you about it?"

"Oh yeah, I think he did . . ."

She leans forward to place the glass bowl on the coffee table before us. Her eyes linger over it. This is it. I have to say something to her. I must. I have to set all comfort aside and confront her. Even if it triggers something: a fight or another heavy crying session. I have to. "S-summer?" My change of tone draws her attention back to me. "I need to talk to you about something." With a very awkward pause separating us, she moves to the edge of the couch. "What's really going on?" Immediately, my heartbeat quickens. "I mean really- really" I strain over my words. "I've just noticed you've been more, distant than usual, and you know I'll always respect your space and let you be when you need to just be, but...you passed out in the woods today. You came home covered in mud. You even started screaming in the shower when I tried calling your name, I've never," I try to maintain a strict tempo to assure my concerns. "I've never seen you like this before- and all because you saw some scary lady in the woods? That, that doesn't sound right." I'm unable to read her so I just continue. "Maybe, and don't take this the wrong way okay, I'm just really worried about you and...I think you need, help." Once I finally said it, a somber atmosphere settles around us. "What?" She asks blankly.

"We can find you someone to talk to-," I add.

"You, want me to go see a therapist?"

"Yes."

"Do you think i'm crazy or? Do you not believe me that i was approached by some fucking lunatic?" She swears, but her voice remains calm. "No-no-no absolutely not summer, I don't think you're crazy at all, just because I'm suggesting you go to therapy doesn't mean I think you're crazy, alright? I've known others who struggled with mental illnesses and depression and I just, I-I mean you've been out of it for awhile now- locked away in your room, I know you've been avoiding everyone and every time I've seen you, you're tired and distant and you're just not yourself, you quit your job recently Summer, and that just really surprised me because I thought you loved it. I haven't seen you reading or sketching, and I know you've barely eaten anything for weeks. In fact, that's probably why you passed out- you're not taking care of yourself. And I do believe you. We've been together for almost two years, I know you and I know that you don't scare easily." She stays quiet. "We can go see a doctor tomorrow and get you checked out, if that'll bring you some sorta peace. I'll call the studio and tell them I cant come in tomorrow-" for one final attempt to getting through to her, I place my hand on her back.

"...Okay." She replies.

"Okayyy-?"

Still feeling a bit awkward with this sudden vulnerable situation, I look for signs of reassurance. "okay? you'll go talk to someone or?"

"yes David..." She stands up. "I'll go talk to someone."

"Really?"

"I know you of all people wouldn't ask something like this if it wasn't a big issue. So, I'll go see a doctor too."

"Okay, babe that's great!" I feel myself lightening up. Summer picks up the glass bowl and takes it to the kitchen. Thanks to my overly active brain, I've already started replaying the entire conversation in my head. Now I just have to call the studio. "You really believe me though right? That I saw someone-" Summer reappears shortly. I answer more honestly, "it seems you're having a hard time believing yourself."