Chapter 2

The next week, I came home and sat on my bed, opening up my computer. I know, it's a shock that I own one but I didn't buy it, it was a late Christmas present from my aunt back east. It's not the latest model or whatever, but it gets the job done and that's all that matters. I wasn't going to bother my neighbor again, she needed her rest and I took this opportunity to look up what could be wrong with her. And maybe, just maybe, I could cure her and…..*thu* *thu* *thu.* There were knocks on the wall behind me. So I put the computer to the side and leaned toward the hole, "Yes?" I called out, "You should be resting, you know that." I could hear small wheezes, "I…wanted…to…ask you…a question *cough.*" She responded, taking long breaths in between words. "I don't mind, ask away." She continued her labored breathing, "Do….you think….I am pretty?" She asked weakly. I was confused at first, but I had a feeling that she could be feeling self-conscious about her appearance. From how she described herself in her current state, she's not exactly looking like a model. "Well….I've only ever heard your voice, but just from that alone I can picture you being the most beautiful woman in the world." It may sound like I'm just saying it to be nice, but truth be told I meant it. Over our four years of talking through a wall, I've really grown fond of her. She's kind, funny, and the sweetest person I've ever met. Imagine that, falling in love with someone you've never seen in your life. But I didn't care, as long as I could hear her voice, that was enough for me. "No matter what you look like now, it still wouldn't change the way I feel. I….I…" "Ummmm." She responded, stopping me before I could finish. My face turned red as I realized I was about to confess to her. I banged my head against the wall, "I…um, am sorry." I could hear her small chuckle, "You really lay it on thick, don't you?" She said, "I'm glad though," She took a deep breath, as if making full sentences was an impossible task, "I don't have that much time left. So I needed to hear some kind words."

I took my head off the wall and looked at the hole. "What do you mean you don't have that much time left? I thought you had until the end of summer." She didn't respond for a moment but coughed heavily. "He came three days ago….told me there's nothing…nothing more he could do." "So they basically just left you to die?!" "Pretty much, yes." How could she act so casually about this?! WHY WOULD DOCTORS LEAVE A PERSON TO JUST DIE?!?! My mind filled with rage, and I slammed the side of my fist against the wall. "DAMN THEM!" I held back the urge to just cuss them out, so I looked back at the hole. "Look, I can get you to the hospital, I'll use whatever money I have…I-I'll sell all my stuff! JUST PLEASE!" My voice breaking, "please…just let me help you…" I begged I pleaded, I didn't want her to die. "You ARE helping me," She responded, "You're keeping…me company. That's all I could ask for." I sniffled, trying to compose myself, "I know, but….I want to do more. I want to be THERE with you." "I….would rather you not see me in such a *cough* *cough* terrible state. For as long as I have left, let's just pretend everything is normal, okay?" I wanted to call her a fool…AN IDIOT…but I knew this was what she truly wanted. I could argue with her all day but it wouldn't change her decision. "*sigh* Alright. We'll continue our conversations and I'll stay with you until the very end. I promise." "Thank you….that means…so much."