Never Forget You

The Story of My Life

Alena led me into her small bedroom down the hall way.

It was really depressing. And that's a nice way of saying it.

There was a large bed, an IV and a couple other machines that I had never seen before and a single rose in a skinny vase sat on the nightstand that said Get Well Soon!!! on the front.

She turned to me saying: "I've always hated that thing. I mean like that's really cheesy."

I couldn't help but giggle a bit. "Well, whoever gave it to you had a heart and it was in the right place."

She smiled, but it quickly faded.

I quickly changed the subject. "SO... What's your story?"

She looked at me with a confused expression. "My story?"

"Yeah. Like what are you all about? What do you like to do for fun ya know!," I replied cheerfully.

She smiled understandingly. "Well, I like to read, draw and I used to play volleyball."

I almost teared up a bit at those last few words; I used to play volleyball. I can only imagine how hard it is to be a kid, living in this prison. I know that's harsh but c'mon, it really is a jail cell.

Stay strong Demi. She needs you, I thought to myself.

"Wow! Volleyball, that's a really fun sport! I've never been able to play sports. I have ZERO hand-eye coordination".

She giggled a little bit at my admitting to my clumsiness.

I couldn't help but wonder about her story though. The thought of how she ended up in this place kept running through my mind. I decided that I would just pose the question.

She sat down on her bed and motioned for me to sit on the edge of the bed.

Just do it Demi. Think Nike, think Nike... LOLZ. BUT SERIOUSLY Just Do It, it can't hurt to ask. Do it...

"Hey, Alena..."

She turned my way

Oh fuck me! Demi, why the hell would you... WEEELLLPPP, no turning back now

I sighed, "How did you end up... When were you..."

She laughed at my awkwardness. " It's okay I don't mind if you ask."

I sighed. Well fuck! No turning back now. Think nike, just do it just do it just...

"Whenwereyoudiagnosedwithcancer," I blurted out as if it were one word.

Alena looked at me with a confused expression. "Pardon?" She politely responded with.

I took a deep breath, "W-when were y-you diag-gnosed with c-c-c-c..."

She interrupted my ridculous stuttering, "Cancer?"

"Yeah."

Jeez Demi! You're supposed to be the one helping her here!

"I was diagnosed when I was eight. So two years ago," She explained as if it were no big deal.

"Oh." That was the only thing that I could say at that moment. I mean like how could she just explain something like that so non-chalantly?

She continued on, "My mom committed suicide a week after my diagnosis. It was really really hard on my dad. But now he just works a lot. It's his way of grieving. But I miss the good ol' times when he, my mom and I would go to the beach or play soccer in our backyard or even just watch movies together. He comes and visits every once in awhile but it's just not the same without her. But, I figured why live my entire life in the past. I know it's cheesy coming from a cancer patient, but it's so true and so important to live this way, you know what I mean?" She looked up at me.

I was at a loss for words. "I'm sorry, did you say that you were twelve?" I grabbed her into a tight embrace. "You are so smart and have a better outlook than 99% of the adults that I know. I don't even need to say Stay Strong to you my dear. You've already done that yourself. All I can say to you is to keep fighting my love. You are so strong and it's people like you that keep this world a good place."

She smiled and hugged me tight.

She looked up at me and replied, "I love you Demi. You're the reason that I keep fighting."

I couldn't speak. It was like there was a pebble stuck in my throat. All I could do was hug this precious little girl as tight as possible.

Demi, if she can do it, so can you