Can You Hear the Stars Calling?

Left to Ponder

Shuffling boots toward the door and the echoing silence of the heart monitor indicated that they had left and I was left alone again.

Alone to ponder, where was the old woman?

~~~

Whatever liquid had been pushed through the IV did the trick of calming me because suddenly I felt like I was on cloud 9. Not so much loopy as I was serene.

Deciding to try to push my luck, I quietly contemplated what had happened last night in regards to the woman.

Not too fast. I told myself. Even if I had drugs in my system, I didn't want to start hyperventilating again.

From the beginning. I know I went into that alley to save her. She was there and real. After the first man pushed my head into the dirt, I shuddered but kept myself composed, he went back to the old woman who was still there. Things weren't adding up. But after I jumped on him, what happened to her? I guess both the men were so preoccupied with me that she could have escaped? But it seemed unlikely with how hurt she looked.

I rubbed my temples, hoping it would bring back something I was missing.

"I'm sorry about that woman," if I hadn't been given the drugs earlier, I would have jumped. Instead, I slowly opened my eyes and saw Sam standing at the foot of my bed. "I talked to the officers outside about what happened," she paused, "It was a really brave thing for you to do, you know. Trying to save her."

Shrugging seemed appropriate. "I don't-" I waited, trying to sort out my own feelings. "I don't know how to feel," Sam frowned walking to the side of my bed. "Who was I to try to fight them off? I chose a battle meant to be lost and now, for some reason, feel surprised that I didn't win."

She contemplated a second, staring at me while I looked down in shame.

"Lynette," she said, taking my chin gently in her hand and facing my head to her, "Let me tell you something. There are so many other woman just like the one in the alley last night. So many girls like her," she brushed back strands of hair from my face, "So many girls wanting to be helped and saved just like you tried to do for that woman. I know grown men who aren't half as brave as you," I smiled, embarrassed by her praise. "Now that doesn't mean you should rush in on any other attack, but it does mean that you were a hero for doing it yesterday. Even if she wasn't around afterward, you did save her, Lynette. And I'm sure wherever she is right now, she is thanking you."

I smiled. "Thank you. If my side don't hurt so much from moving, I'd hug you." We both laughed together, but mine was a sad laugh.

For all those girls out there. All of them missing family or friends or both. For all of those girls who would forever be alone under the moon.