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Chapter 17
Don lay on his stomach in bed that night. Again, he glanced over to the clock next to him. The red numbers glared back, reminding him that he had a long day ahead of him and he should be asleep. It was three in the morning and he'd been lying like that all night, clutching his pillow tightly, staring off into space.
It had been exactly two hours since the latest experience. It had been faint but definitely there and real. Her crying for help was undeniable as were the pain and misery that came along with it. It had absolutely torn at his heart, the knowledge that nothing could be done for another twenty-four hours. From his dream, he could still see Mel reaching out for him; another tear trickled silently from his eyes. There was no end, it seemed, and how horrible it felt to know that he couldn't do much about that fact.
He was even beginning to have trouble remembering the carefree Mel he'd known from childhood. He tried to think back to the time when he'd last seen her. It had been at a local high school. They were taking a writing test to see if they could get out of the writing requirement in college. He remembered looking up from eating his breakfast, watching people he knew and didn't know pass by on their way into the building. In one look, he'd recognized her. Mel, walking confidently as always on her way to sit down for two hours to write an essay. He'd called out to her and he could tell that it took her awhile to recognize him. Not that he could blame her. He'd cut his long hair off, leaving it incredibly short. He'd gotten an ear pierced and his voice had gotten lower. His style of clothing had changed as well but he was still the same Don she remembered, he thought.
They chatted. He was going to Irvine and she up to Davis. They'd both been stressed with the coming AP tests. How many was she taking then? Let's see, there were both English exams, the Spanish language one, the government, and an econ one. She always felt like pushing herself, and here he was complaining about taking the psychology one. Oh well.
There had not been enough time to really talk though, and he remembered the disappointment of having to go inside and get in line so they wouldn't be late. He'd gone in ahead, his line being shorter. He remembered waving his good bye as she continued to wait. But then imagine his surprise when he found out that they were placed in the same room together. True, they couldn't talk during the test. And unlucky for him, she'd finished earlier than the allotted time. He'd wanted to continue their talk. He wondered if she felt any regrets. He knew he did. He had missed her and wanted to say so. The last glimpse he saw of her was as he looked up from writing his essay and watching as she gathered her things and left the room. Did she even know he was there?
He slept.
The next thing he knew, there was someone knocking on the door. Reluctantly, Don got up to answer it. Mark stumbled in. Don reached forward to keep his friend from falling forward. "What's wrong with you?" he asked, concerned, helping him to the bed.
"Where were you at lunch and breakfast?"
"I was here. I guess I slept through meals. I didn't get much sleep last night."
Slowly, Mark nodded his head. "Good thing you did. Something was wrong with the food."
"You all…?"
"Yeah. Everyone's in their rooms laying in bed, recovering. You know what that means."
Slowly, it hit him. "Mark, I can't do this on my own! I need you!"
"Sorry, Don. I hate bailing out on you two like this. Don't think that I don't. It's just that I honestly doubt I'll be well enough by tonight."
"But you're fine right now."
"You lie and we both know it. Besides, I had to tell you. I couldn't just leave you wondering what happened to me and worry."
"I'll be worrying anyway. Did everyone get food poisoning?"
"Unfortunately."
"The kids-"
"Are being taken care of. Please Don, you've got to focus now. I can't help you anymore. You're on your own."
The weight of those words visibly shook him and left him feeling overwhelmed. The idea of facing reality and being alone when the crucial moment came…
Mark laid a shaky hand on Don's arm, stilling him from his pacing. "I have faith in you. You'll be fine."
Yet the two of them couldn't help but wonder what would happen if he failed.