Chapter 3: A LONER NO LONGER

I woke up the next morning in a neatly furnished room on a bed that was so cozy, soft and very tempting to sleep. I yawned and it seemed like I was dreaming, was this real. Is grand mum really dead, I begin to cry loud again, Tracy runs to my rescue. She begins consoling and pampering me, giving me strong words of hope to seal my heart again. Tessy, she calls me, and I respond yes, have you seen my grandmother. Is she fine? Relax, relax, relax deary, this is not the end of life. You can still pick up the pieces of your life. She may be out of sight. But, she's not out of mind. I begin sobbing, I tell her all that has happened to me and my whole life's story. So, what do I do now, a child of no home and the only one person that makes me feel like someone finally leaves this world to join the shadows. She doesn't allow me to finish….

Tessy, she reacts, the world has taken a lot from you for you to still be regarded a child. The lessons from this condition of contempt and moment of grief are a time that feelings get in the way that you just cross paths with bitterness and regrets. But when there is life, there is hope Tessy! you see there is... Steve walks in and hands me a cup of coffee, he gives it to me.

Get up, he tells me! Go get a shower and freshen up. Don't worry, the hospital and some other donators have volunteered to help with the burial arrangements and the medical director would like to have a word with you. I just finish speaking with their patients care unit. We've got you.

Hello, good morning, please what's your name. I ask him innocently. Like really, he shrugs his shoulders, ok I am Steve, and I and my sister Tracy here volunteered to help you from an accident scene of your grand mum yesterday. Look, anything that I can do to help, it's fine. Feel free, we're here to help. I look at the both of them with my eyes holding back another round of tears, hugging them so tightly. Thank you very much, I am grateful for your care and support.

So actually, I can have friends once again in life, I was a loner no longer.

They both leave me going to school, Tessy tells me that they are students of the Texas college, she tells me that they are late and they'll be leaving to school but will be returning by 4 o'clock in the evening. Stay fine and pick something from the fridge when you are hungry. Much love, she blows me some kisses and walks away wishing me bye-bye. I wave back telling her and Steve goodbye.

As they step out of the room I go into the bathroom and take a shower, it feels like the whole agony, grief and anxiety had washed off and my mind was as plain as, it took some time but it sure did calm my nerves. I cleaned myself in a towel, rubbed myself some massage oil, wore a robe and went back to bed. It felt like my head was at ease and ready for a sleep that would take hours and before you know it, I fall deeply asleep that I could not hear or feel anything around me. It felt so comfortable though I could not forget the death of my grand mum, she was so dear to me. They came like flashes in a vision that felt like hypnosis and like I was not truly asleep, I was even taken to a realm where she told me that her name was Kate, I swear that was the first time that I knew my grandmother's name. It was a so awful and great moment that I began asking myself why I never asked her this while she was alive, I felt guilt in that vision and she took out time to tell me in the vision that I should sit with these people that saved me as I sat with myself at home telling me that they we're my destiny helpers and would lead me to where my light will shine. Granny I miss you, where are you now?

I have gone to find rest and she tells me not to worry about my dyslexia, squint and skin color that they are built in me to make me strong and impact the world positively. I will tell you how but know that your time is right and you are just at the door of your helpers.

Do not grief for my death, child? I miss you so much grand ma, I didn't know that your name was Kate and I am so sorry for not asking this whole time. Thank you for telling my fortune, I am super glad for the advice. But gran Kate, guess that is what I'll start to call you now, can I hug you. I rush to hug her. Till we meet again sweet Tess, she says it like whispers passing through my ears, and it's all gone just for me to wake up in fright. I am all sweaty but, in my head, I feel it was just a short nap, I go to check my stop watch and it is 4:30pm. Oh my gosh, I slept for seven hours straight. Shit! I clean my sweat maps all over my body and I begin searching the house if they're back home. There is no sign of anyone and boom I see a dog at the parlor barking at me.

I get frightened at first but due to the fact that I like pets I am not scared, I came close to the dog and rub its head and it calms down. It enjoys my touch and before you know what we start playing with each other, I get to the fridge and pour orange juice into a cup and we sip it together. I knew for sure that the dog was theirs but it was as if they had trusted me a lot as if I was their sis or something. I still remembered what grandma Kate told me in the dream that seemed like a vision and I was ready to pull some strings together to make it work.

While in my mindful game, they suddenly badge in as I hear Steve say Billy, Billy what's good? Where are you? I'm back Billy, Billy Billy billy! The dog runs to his side and oh it is Steve and Tracy; they are back home.

Tracy, thought you guys will be back by four, and is that your pet. He kept me company after a frightening dream, but it's fine. She and Steve comes close to me and hugs me, I don't know but I just feel attached to you, and I cannot stop pitying you after the whole scene of that day, says Steve.

Aww! thank you, it makes my day to hear that. I irresistibly replied. Tess, have you eaten? Because, we will soon be hanging out. You know going out there to catch a glimpse of sunshine and new people to reduce the cold, and sadness is a very good idea. Hey, only grand Kate calls me Tess, like she is literally the one who gave me that name some time ago in my sleep so, how come?

I just felt like Tess can be short for Tessy, and what do you say about the hangout? says Tracy

Okay, I wish I could but sadly I am a loner and I do not have friends, c'mon Tessy, if you've found us you've found friends and we'll definitely give you people that can make you happy. My mood lightens up a bit as my senses swiftly recall what my grandmother tells me in the vision but I had not told them my condition, as it seems to them that I am happy, they are happy too and they head to their rooms to change up, as I stand there with a shut jaw but deeply inside of me, I was burning in happiness. I knew that one day, my grand mum will die but I only wished that it does not make me more dried up in the perilous mayhem that I was facing. As I stand there giving it a thought hypnotized fully to my legs like my body was in full paralysis. Billy licks my leg with its cold tongue. Ewe, I liked dogs but this once brought me back to life in no better possible way that I can't explain. Purr, it first all shook me up so strongly that I thought that I poured water on my legs but no it was Billy's tongue that struck me out of my head space's marveling wonder. Purr! But I poured the juice in my glass while gaining back myself. I took up Billy and I called him in the same symphony as Steve, Billy Billy Billy! It answered me. Wow, I love dogs but was not opportune to have one as a pet. He was a brown skin fur covered dog with a black belt strapped around its neck. As we played round the parlor, Tracy and Steve came out of their rooms and we're fully dressed for the hangout that they told me about. I'm sorry, but I will not be able to make it there. I'm sure Tracy I talked to you everything about me. I begin sobbing, they suspend their meeting with their other friends to listen to my story and there I begin, I'm a dyslexic child that's 'why I am always afraid to be in gatherings in case I am told to read or write which I cannot really do. I am a Mexican and I was always treated harshly for my color in my neighborhood. Besides my squints made them call me the cursed child, many other names that got me irritated and so I have always been shy to stay around people. They listened to me and at the end of my story. Steve says he is sorry about what happened but I should have a voice for myself and the people suffering the same condition. Tess, you could become their hero and the face of revolution that could change things for people suffering from dyslexia, squint and racial discrimination. Besides I had that taped, I will give it to the hospital tomorrow. Some NGO'S will be willing to help.

Seriously, I was about to freak out but I would still approve that because you did it unawares. I feel like that's more original coming from me. You know, I am afraid of cams but where is this one? It is on the tv facing us, Tracy replied. Was it video or voice taped. videotaped Tracy replied again, we are here to help you and make you strong. I think we should have something to eat right now, pizza from the fridge says Steve. They begin telling me about themselves even better now to the fullest, Steve steamed the pizza in the oven and we all ate and drank to our satisfaction. We we're full and looked expired after a whole load of meals, drinks and conversations. We kept talking to each other and faded out gradually till we slept off in the parlor.