Almost Gone

I could go back to the adoption center, alone once again. I didn’t like that idea. Here I had friends … and someone who loved me. I hadn’t felt that way since my dad died.

“Umm, hey, Emma,” Carl says nervously. I look at him, nodding on acknowledgement. Talking was still hard to do. “Congrats on talking.”

“Thanks,” I mumble, keeping my head on the table, the cold marble comforting.

“Umm, are you, umm, leaving?”

I shake my head, laughing slightly.

“Really?!!!”

I nod, feeling myself being lifted from the chair, and into Carl’s chest as he hugs me.

“I knew you wouldn’t leave me!!!”, Carl yells, kissing me. I start laughing, finding his reaction hilarious. “C’mon!! Lets get working on that voice of yours!!! I wanna see if you can sing again!!!”, Carl says, pulling me into our music room. “Here,” he hands me a microphone. I shake my hand, pushing it away. “C’mon, Emma.”

“No!”, I say, laughing slightly.

“What are you scared of?”

“Nothing! I’m just too tired, Carl. Please?”, I ask quietly, leaning my head on his shoulder.

“Before you fall asleep, when’s your birthday?”, Carl asks, smiling at me.

“The day I made the ink squirt out.”, I say tiredly, already half asleep. I felt Carl kiss my forehead, right before I fell asleep.