My work at the art school was going well and the children in my ss were fun to work with. Despite that, the joy of teaching the kid had waned during the past week as my mind shifted back and forth between the reality in front of me and my memories of Hayden.


    "Malissa, do you have a minute?" thedy called out to me from behind the reception desk at the art school.


    I had just finished teaching for the day and was packing things up.


    "Sure," I said before putting some art supplies back into the cupboard.


    "Your sses have been getting a lot of positive feedback both from the students and their parents. So, I was wondering if you would be open to take on additional sses," she said with a gentle smile.


    "Umm…I guess I can…" I replied.


    I was quite free now and I haven’t found a full-time job so working extra here wouldn’t hurt. I’ll be making more money that way too, so this was the perfect opportunity.


    "That’s great. I’ll prepare some documents for you tomorrow and you can let me know what you think but we’re thinking of getting you to teach another ss for older students," thedy said with a kind smile.


    "Sure. That would be great. Thank you for the opportunity," I thanked her.


    When the conversation came to a close, I picked up my bag and started heading back to my apartment. Perhaps things aren’t so bad after all. I looked up at the sky and saw that the dark grey rainclouds seemed to have parted and the sun was shining through. I don’t think it’s going to rain anymore today.


    I’ve been having trouble sleepingtely and tonight was no different. Tossing and turning in bed for hours became amon urrence for me. Usually, I would toss and turn in bed before sleep would take over sometimete into the night. It was the same for tonight; however, my phone started vibrating in the middle of the night.


    Reflexively, I reached out my arm for the phone before connecting the call. It’s sote at night, I wonder who it could be…


    "Miss Malissa?" a woman’s voice spoke through the phone.


    "Yes, it’s me," I replied.


    "Pleasee to hospital immediately. There’s been a sudden change in your grandmother’s condition…" the woman said urgently.


    "Is she ok?" I asked as I bolted up in bed.


    "Please hurry," the woman replied, and I could tell that the situation was dire.


    "Ok…" I replied in a whisper.


    I mumble softly just before the line disconnected. It was a nurse calling from the hospital and from her voice, I knew that things weren’t fine with my grandmother. Her condition must have taken a turn for the worst, and they needed me there immediately. I knew this, but I was too shocked that my body wouldn’t move.


    Grandmother, please be alright…


    …


    When I arrived at the hospital, the nurse that had called me was waiting for me in the lobby. I was so scared that I honestly did not remember much of anything of my trip to the hospital. My lips were trembling, and I wasn’t sure if I could speak. One look at me and the nurse just nodded and beckoned for me to follow her.


    "Please follow me, quickly," she said sternly.


    It waste at night and the hospital was quiet. My mind was struggling to keep up with the situation and it felt like I was floating along as I followed the nurse on wobbly legs. After a short walk, we arrived at the ICU.


    "The doctor will be here shortly," the nurse said before she nodded at me and took her leave.


    I stood there in front of the door as I waited for the doctor. In less than a minute the doctor that was in charge of my grandmother’s case appeared through the double doors of the ICU. I turned towards him as I prayed silently for my grandmother to be fine.


    "My grandmother…" I whispered in a shaky voice.


    Tears stung the back of my eyes and it felt like I could stand crying at any moment now. The doctor had a grim look on his face and that alone told me that everything was far from fine. I gulped as I waited for the doctor to speak.


    "Please go in and spend some time with your grandmother. We can talkter. There isn’t a lot of time left," the doctor said calmly as his hand started pushing the door open for me.


    I was at a loss for words. A part of me just couldn’t believe that this was really happening. My grandmother had been in the hospital for a few months now and I should have been prepared for the worst. However, no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t prepare myself to handle this. This is all just too sudden.


    Tears welled up in my eyes and with a small nod, I entered the ICU where my grandmother was waiting. Before I entered the room, I wasn’t sure what I was expecting to see. However, the sight of my grandmother sleeping peacefully on the hospital bed seemed too normal. Nothing seemed wrong with her, she was just sleeping there with many machines hooked to her body.


    I could see that they were monitoring many things, the only thing I could understand based on my limited medical knowledge was her blood pressure and her heart rate.


    There was a chair next to her bedside and I quietly sat down on it. I wasn’t sure what to do. I was scared that I would wake her up and disturbed her rest. She looked tired and the color of her skin didn’t seem healthy. Was this what it looked like when life is slowly slipping away?


    Suddenly, my grandmother started stirring on the bed. Slowly her eyes opened. At first it seemed like she was slightly confused but then her eyes focused on my face, and she smiled a little at me.


    "Grandma…" I whispered softly as I took her hand into mine.


    --To be continued…