Meet Me By the Old Oak Tree

Chapter 2

**

            “Scarlett?” I called up the stairs. She was probably still in bed. She didn’t like to come out much. She never did. She claimed that physical movement hurt whenever mom tried to get her to come out of bed. She usually came if I asked. Maybe she felt bad because she never hung out with anymore. I understand though. She has cancer so it’s hard for her to move around. But she more just doesn’t feel like doing anything anymore. She told me that before, she said that since she’s going to die at some point she doesn’t feel like really doing anything. And when I told her that I was going to die at some point too, she smiled and told me that was different. At least I got a smile out of her.

            “I’m coming… just meet me by the old oak tree,” she said. I left the house and walked to the old oak tree.

            She came by carrying her oxygen tank with a bright smile on her face. I smiled at her. I climbed up onto the long branch that we always sat on and helped her up. We did this often. Since she was getting weaker, we didn’t climb all the way to the top, I just helped her onto this branch. The tire swing was too small for us so we didn’t use that either. I could use the tire swing if I really wanted but it didn’t feel right to use it by myself since it was Scarlett’s favourite. Plus, it was too old for it. We usually just chatted instead. I often asked her how she was doing and she usually responded with, “I’m just glad you’re here”.

            We stayed out there until mom called us in. Then I helped her down and we slowly walked back to our small, farm-like house in the middle of an open field.

**

            I watched her through wet eyes. I then realized that I couldn’t watch her anymore. So I looked away. I hated being in the hospital with her. I wished I could just wait at home until she came back since she always lived but she just looked like she was dying. I took one glance back at her and saw that she’d calmed down and was doing fine again. I sighed in relief. I still didn’t want to stay so I went over to the bed.

            “Meet me by the old oak tree,” I said quietly to Scarlett. I stifled a nod and I left.

            I walked over to the old oak tree and waited.

            She came by about two hours later.

            Every time she went to the hospital, that’s what I’d do. I hated watching her thinking she was going to die when I knew she wasn’t. But I still sighed in relief every time I see her walking and talking again.

            I helped her up onto the branch and I smiled at her. She attempted a smile back but her expression was all pain.

            “Is it that bad?” I asked her. But I knew what her answer was going to be. She just stared at me. After about two minutes she answered.

            “They told me I was supposed to stay in the hospital. But I wanted to come here for you,” she said. I could tell talking pained her.

            “You should listen to the doctors. Why don’t you go lie down,” I offered starting to get down. She held out a shaking hand.

            “No,” she said it like a breath. I could barely hear it. We didn’t really talk. I did a little; she just stayed quiet and listened. I knew talking was hard for her so I didn’t ask any questions. I reminded her of those times when we were little. I was about thirteen now. We attempted a few smiles when something I said was funny but she didn’t laugh like usual. I could tell she was really hurting. So after about an hour, I said that I wanted to go inside and she didn’t argue. She went and lied down on her bed.

            Mom was in the kitchen cooking. She was very quiet but I didn’t want to see her face since I knew she was crying. I didn’t want to cry. I checked on Scarlett every so often.