“Watch out, Katie,” Kora said normally, pointing at the nurse and holding onto Booker’s wheelchair. Katie searched for a spider frantically, “What?! Where?!” she yelped. “It’s Booker’s birthday. And I think he deserves a pretty present,” Kora replied, still pointing. “You know! She is right. Ain’t she right, George?” Booker looked to his friend on the couch. “Oh yes. Oh yes,” George agreed, fervently nodding his head. The nurse smiled knowingly and waved them off, “Now what was with all that pointin’, trying to scare me? Why don’t you learn sign language and ask her out yourself, silly old man. We don’t pawn people off here.” Katie replied in a southern accent, giving them a sweet smile. “Well, we tried,” Kora sighed. “Last year during your birthday, we threw a party. I don’t know why we didn’t do that again this year,” she continued. “Don’t you worry about any of that. I’m having fun as is! Another party might give me a heart attack,” Booker laughed. She rolled her eyes, “Oh c’mon, you’re not as old and fragile as you think you are.”
“Kora. I’m eighty-seven years old. I’m in a wheelchair and I live in an old folks home.”
“But you can walk when you try,” she smiled and sat near him on the floor.


After a few minutes, Kora was on the floor, bowing to George. “Oh wise George. You know all. Psst, Booker, bow with me,” she murmured. “You’re something else…” Booker said lowly. George was stifling a loud chuckle. “What? All I said was that you should get a job that defines you. I spent my whole life unhappy, although I tried to laugh and love my way through it,” George said through his laughs. She sat up laughing.
Kora Whitely spent a lot of her free time hanging out with Booker in Lakeview Acres nursing home, which started as volunteering a few years ago. She only knew George a week by then. Kora often cheered them up and started the ongoing ritual for everyone to dress in their nicest clothing every Friday, and most of them only had one nice outfit. Lots of the residents had lost their mind, sight, and hearing, but she did her best.


The next Friday, Kora stared at the oddly silent Booker next to her at the card table. “Hey. What’s with the uh…why are you so quiet?” George grinned, “He’s dizzy with a dame, Kora. Dizzy with a dame.” She rose an eyebrow at Booker. “Just go talk to her! I’m sure she can read lips,” Kora insisted. The man playing with them played in silent because he was one with many things long gone. Booker smiled at his young friend and shook his head, “A radiant woman like that doesn’t want to be bothered by an old fool like me.” Kora frowned. “My whole life has been nothing but convincing myself I’m not worthy and I’m not going to sit around and let you live the rest of yours like that,” she said and stood abruptly. Booker stuttered to turn, “Missy where do you think you’re goin’? Shouldn’t I be the one saying all that? Come sit back down. Kora!”


“Ms. Eately, can you read lips?” Kora sat down next to Marian Eately. She placed her hands on her lap and gave a nod. Back at the card table, Booker was silently stewing on the situation. Kora plotted and planned with Marian. Happily strutting back to her seat, she plopped in the chair. Booker glanced at her. They played in silence for a few minutes until Booker cleared his throat suddenly. “Kora. There’s something I need to tell ya,” he said hesitantly. “I’m going to need surgery here pretty soon and I won’t be here for the next few weeks after the end of next week.” Kora’s lips parted, “What are you talking about, why do you need surgery?” George touched the other player’s arm and whispered to him, “Let’s go play some chess and let them talk.” She watched them get up, “Wha-Why do you guys need to leave? Booker, what’s going on?” Worry filled her face. “I have a brain tumor,” he said. Seeing the tears in her eyes, he continued, “Now, it’s nothin’ to get upset over. I’m going to be fine. I don’t know what they walked away for.” Kora knew as well as Booker did…that the odds were against him and he was only trying to reassure her. She felt a pang in her chest. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked. “I know you tend to worry your little head over nothing,” he replied. “Y-you’re right. Let’s just get back to cards.”


“You’ve really outdone yourself this time, Kora. You really are one of a kind, just doing this out of the goodness of your heart,” Katie laughed, smiling up at the decorations, “He really is happy. Look at him go.” Kora bit her lip. “Katie. Why didn’t any of you tell me about his tumor?” she asked painfully. “He said…that it wasn’t our job. And he wanted to be the one. He’s known for a long time now. I guess it’s just taken him this long to build up the courage to tell you,” the other nurse, Liam explained, looking over at Booker and Marian. “Is he going to die…?” Kora asked, causing Katie to look back at her and freeze. “Kora…you know we don’t know how to answer that. Just try to enjoy this nice party that you threw him,” she said quietly and went to tend to a patient. Liam touched Kora’s arm and sighed.




Booker and Marian were hitting it off. They had only been dancing for a few minutes before Kora looked over and saw Booker making his move. Surprised, Marian kissed him back. This brought a tearful smile to Kora’s face. “They sure are moving fast,” Liam laughed. “Mhm, yeah. I’m happy for him. He never gets to enjoy himself like this. I just feel a little guilty that this party is a week late. But, I figured it’s a combination of a birthday party and a celebration before his surgery tomorrow….don’t tell him that though,” Kora laughed nervously. “Sure thing. Let me know if you need anything, Kora. I’ll be at the front desk,” Liam replied. Kora sat down, deep in thought. Booker had been her only friend in years. The last time she had a friend was in middle school. She passed away in a car accident shortly before they entered high school. She clutched her dress. Marian laughed. It was this beautiful, aged, deaf laugh that made her heart feel a little better, knowing Booker was having a good time with her. Kora wiped the tears from her cheeks, hearing Booker sit in his wheelchair and start to roll over to her.



“Hey, old man. Are you having yourself a good time?” Kora teased. “I hate it. I hate this party. What are you talking about?” Booker responded in mono-tone. She stared at him, mouth agape. He started laughing, “Where’d your humor go today, kiddo?” She smiled cutely, closing her eyes. Suddenly, the two got quiet. Booker had his head down, looking at his lap.
“I don’t think I’m going to make it…” he said quietly, keeping his wistful eyes down.
“Oh, shut up, you’re going to be fine,” Kora retorted angrily, looking off.
His expression changed into slight frustration, but a deep sadness clouded his eyes as he slowly raised them to Kora. “You’re my best friend,” he said. Kora raised her eyes to the ceiling with tears and then off into the distance again, clenching her jaw and lips. “Don’t do that. Don’t say your goodbyes,” she replied as sternly as she could muster, still not looking at him. All expression fell on Booker’s face, staring at her. “I really think I might die,” he nearly whispered, looking back at his weak legs. Kora’s whole body became tense as the welled up tears in her eyes were about to spill over. To hear Booker be open and honest, without putting on an act, terrified her.


Kora visited Lakeview Acres late in the evening two days later…with her heart pounding like a drum. No one was at the front counter and the entire place was unusually quiet. Most of the patients were in another room or sleeping. George was sitting at the chess table by himself, almost pretending to play. Katie walked to her from the back, slowly and hesitantly. No, Kora thought, don’t walk over like that.. “Katie..?”
Katie’s voice was quiet, “Kora, sit down.”
A cry broke through her throat as she covered her mouth. Katie knew she didn’t even need to say it. “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. “Booker! You jerk!” she yelled, her broken sobs echoing throughout the nursing home. Kora fell onto the couch with Katie and hid her cries in the nurses’ arms.


Everything was crashing around her, as the emptiness in her heart lead her out of the door, dragging her feet the whole way. She could barely see past her tears, but she knew the familiar route enough. Kora leaned into the door to open it and trudged to the bench right outside. The air wasn’t too cold, but the soft cold wind hit her face and touched her tears, making her colder. Her best friend was gone—her only true friend in the world. They shared so many wonderful memories. Kora smiled a little, knowing she’d cherish them forever. Sadness came back after her lips curved. Why did he leave me here? She sat against the back of the bench as tears fell incessantly.


An exotic passerby stopped short on the sidewalk and looked at the crying girl strangely. “Hey. Are you uh…are you okay?” she asked, bending over to get a closer look at her. Kora moved her eyes to the woman. Why is she dressed like that? I haven’t even worn something that outlandish before, Kora thought, wiping her face. The woman stared at the silent girl with deep concern. She too, was silent, looking into her soul. Her eyes narrowed and she walked forward, sitting on the bench next to Kora. “Just say the word,” she purred seriously. Kora frowned out of disjointedness and rubbed her eye, “Huh?”
The woman positioned herself awkwardly. “I really gotta work on my people skills. What the heck is wrong with me? She doesn’t know what I’m talking about,” she mumbled quietly to herself. “Do I know you?” Kora asked. “Oh. My name is Bassst—uh, Bassy. Just call me Bassy,” she responded.


Bassy scooted close to Kora, almost enough to be sitting on top of her, Kora felt. “I don’t like to see a woman crying. I need you…to put into words what you need to heal your wounds,” she tried to explain slowly. “You can’t do anything, but thank you for being nice to me. My best friend passed away. There’s nothing anyone can do,” Kora responded, letting another tear stream down her face. Bassy smiled and wiped her tear away. “Please, tell me how you can be healed, although I know it, I need you so say it,” she said. Kora shifted away from the stranger touching her face and then looked back, feeling badly when she was offering to help her. “That’s alright, I don’t need healed, I just need to suck it up and be there for his family now,” Kora replied softly. “Everyone needs to be healed. And everyone needs death, not only because it’s inevitable, but also because sometimes, it’s a part of healing. He considered you family, did he not?” Bassy asked.
“Huh...uh, how did you know that?”
“Un…Well, I j-just, you said the…he was your best friend!” Bassy covered, waving her hands frantically. Kora just stared. Bassy sighed and a serious look returned on her face, “I cannot help you if you don’t tell me.”
Kora closed her eyes, “All I’ve ever wanted is a true friend. But, he’s gone now so—” Bassy put her feminine, slender finger on her lips, “That will do. I’ll…keep in touch.” Kora watched in confusion as Bassy stood. “Wait, you don’t have my number or—” Kora started. Did this woman want to be her friend? Kora stood at the chance. Bassy turned over her shoulder and gave her a sly smile. And with that, she walked into the evening light.



My back was killing me. I felt like I was going to burst into flames any moment. Not to mention, the smell from old trash in my apartment was beginning to make me feel more ill than I already was. I needed to take it out, I decided. I had been gone for 9 days, so I hadn’t had a chance. As much as I hated bothering him, Liam was used to dealing with immobile people. I painfully dug for my cell phone in my back pocket. “Hey, sorry to call at such a late hour. Do you think you can come over for a bit and be my legs?” I asked. “Yeah, sure, En. It might take me a while though, I have to drop my niece back off at her house. How have you been getting around by yourself, not being at work and all?” Liam responded, his voice making me wince. He wasn’t speaking that loudly and my cell’s volume was down. Why were my ears being so sensitive? “I went to work today,” I admitted. “Dude! You just got out of the hospital this morning, what’s—” I sighed in the middle of his sentence, “My bills aren’t going to pay themselves. Anyway, see you when you get here.” I hung up. Sitting in the darkness was annoying me. It reminded me of the dreams I had been having recently and that pissed me off.


Everything…was burning. Sharp pain shot through all of my limbs and radiated my chest and face. I had to sit up. It felt like the worse heartburn in the world. I thought about calling the ambulance, instead of waiting for Liam to come take out my trash, but I didn’t.
Thoughts of my past had been surfacing over the past few weeks. I sat in pain, wondering if I had been lost in thought because of my recent dreams. They had me tossing and turning every night and waking up drenched in sweat.
Every night it was the same.
It was pitch black around me and I was alone, and no one could hear me because I couldn’t speak…no matter how hard I tried. I felt like I deserved it too. The weirdest part of this dream is after it ended every night, I’d have to go to the bathroom and puke. Those dreams made me so angry! Why was I getting those shitty dreams with a shitty stomach ache?! My subconscious was wrong! I didn’t deserve shit. Even when I woke up and went to the bathroom to throw up, I was furious.
I even went to the doctor. He told me my fever was high enough to be hospitalized and I had to spend 8 days and the next morning in the ER. I only went home because I assured them I’d stick to strict bed rest, not because my fever had gone down.



My heart thumped and stuttered. Aaarghh! I yelled, but no sound came out. My vision started to go in and out. What’s happening to me?! Am I…Am I having a heart attack?! It felt like…someone was clutching my heart and releasing it slowly, even though it must have been beating quicker than that, because I could feel the pulsing rapidly in my ears and neck. I could feel blood pumping into my face as my veins bulged from my neck. There was no way this was a normal heart attack. I reached for my phone, but it was difficult with my nearly immobile arms and hands. I pressed several buttons. Dead. My vision was blurry, but I attempted to look around the room for the charger. God, I thought, of all the times not to have a house phone! I left it in the car, I realized. My only hope was to wait for Liam to arrive, but my body was burning up to an unbearable amount…there was no way whatever was happening to me would hold out until then. I’m going to die before he even gets here…


I slid off the couch because now, my legs were stiffening and burning. I needed to arch my knee to ease the pain and pain moved from my heart to the lower right side of my stomach. What the hell?! Is it my gallbladder now? The pain was terrible. Screams wouldn’t leave my throat, no matter how much noise I thought I was making. The striking pangs felt like they were bouncing off all of my organs, each one lingering in the torture, and hurting more than the last. Through my blurry, unstable vision, I saw my hands. They were scorching pink, as if I were lying in a desert. Someone….is bashing my skull! I thought wildly. Flashes of my funeral went through my mind, making my adrenaline rush. The only person…who would come…is Liam…I don’t even talk to my parents anymore…No one…no one would be at my funeral! I refused to let the tears leak through my eyelids. This can’t be the end! What is HAPPENING to my BODY?! I tried to scream, but they were just thoughts…my mouth and voice weren’t working. I can’t…move my lips and tongue…to speak…not even a scream comes out!

Nausea and severe cramps cranked through my body at full strength, toppling me over onto all fours. The muscles in my fingers began to curl slowly and painfully into fists, cracking my knuckles and wrists. My elbows and knees felt like they were tightening, shooting fire through my limbs, hitting my pelvis and shoulders like sledgehammers…but my body wouldn’t let me react to the pain, and I remained on my hands and knees, throbbing in agony. Everything was going black, but in flashes—my eyes were pulsing, radiating my face. I wanted so badly to clutch my heart…it felt like it was stopping. The burning increased, like someone set me in an oven and turned it on, but no sweat formed. If anything, I was going to die from a heatstroke before I died from another heart attack.


And then everything stopped. I felt no pain. The burning went away, and I stayed on all fours for a few seconds, confused. I could feel the blood rush leaving my face. My hands weren’t pink anymore. None of what just happened, I knew, didn’t make sense. In a sigh of relief, I was cut short by the worst pains of my life. I could feel my own abdomen pulling itself toward my spine…and it felt being stabbed repeatedly. This is it…I’m dying, I thought, and for the first time, my anger was gone and it was replaced by utter despair.

I couldn’t take it anymore, I had to flip over, and luckily, my limbs let me. The pain continued, even worse than before. The bones and muscles in my face were constricting, paralyzing my neck and movements. It felt as if I was being strangled. Crazy thoughts went through my head, as I felt non existing punches bash me and crash my skull. I couldn’t move my face at all. My facial structure….feels different! How is this possible?! What the hell is happening? All of the bones in my body were actually breaking and repositioning—I could hear them. My bones were also…shrinking. I barely noticed that I saw differently, better even. I was petrified. My jaw stiffened as the skin starting stretching. Why can’t I die quicker?! I thought out of fear and sadness. I wasn’t angry, I was scared. Really scared. I hoped no one would see me like that, so terrified and unable. In fact, I was ready to die alone before anyone saw my writhing hopelessly in pain. I wished with all my might that Liam didn’t show before I died. I even reached my violently shaking hand into my pocket to see if I had a pocket knife.