Taking Her Novels & Stories

I can taste her tears, me, her, everything tangled together. And I realize—if she ever walks away, she won’t just be taking herself. She’ll be taking me.

She sat still on the edge of the bed like she was in some sort of trance. “Here,” I said softly, kneeling in front of her and offering her the cup. “Drink this. It’ll help you feel better.” For a moment, I thought she wasn’t going to take it, but then, with a slow movement, she reached out and took the cup from my hands. She raised it to her lips and took a small sip. “Good,” I encouraged her “Just a little more.” She drank the tea in small, careful sips, and I stayed there, kneeling in front of her, feeling helpless. When she had finished, I gently took the cup from her and set it aside, then placed a hand on her arm.

She looked at me, knowing fully well how the last board meeting had gone. "Relax." I said to her taking in her stiff shoulders. "There nothing to be anxious about." I got up from my seat walking up to her. "When the dust settles, you'll go on a vacation." The smile on my face must have been so bright that Sabrina coughed.

“I’d never ask that.” That got her attention. She finally looked at me. “I’ll take you home,” I continued, keeping my voice steady. “You shower. You eat something real. You lie down for a few hours. And I bring you right back. I swear to you.” “I can’t leave him,” she said again, “What if something happens the moment I step away?” “That fear doesn’t go away,” I said. “But right now, it’s eating you alive.” She shook her head, tears gathering in her eyes. “You don’t understand.”

" why didn't you eat? " " Am not hungry " " you need to take your medicine " " I am not taking anything , just let me be " she grumbled, looking away . "Aiight just take your drugs " I said, knowing fully well that she won't take it. She gazed at me in silence and turned away. I had to do something, without thinking I picked up the pill, leaning closer to her. " Then take it from me" She blinked, looking at me surprised. "What?"

A single number saved to it. She held it for a moment. Taking it meant something. She understood that. It was not simply an object. It was a commitment to a direction she had not yet fully decided to walk in. She took it. She was back in her room when it rang. “You got it,” Devin said. “I got it,” she said. A brief silence. Not uncomfortable. “How are you?” She considered the question. “I’ve been better.” “Tell me what happened when you got back.”

She looked very kind. She smiled shyly. “Hello, I saw that the door was open, so I thought I could come in and ask for a drink. I’ve been walking all day, and I’m so thirsty. Is that alright?” I nodded and went to get some water. When I came back out, she was standing in the middle of the garden and admiring the roses. “Your garden is beautiful.” She accepted the water and took a big gulp. “I’m doing some travel photography, and that’s why I’m passing by. I’m looking for a place to stay for a few days. Do you still have an open room?”

she said while staring at me with all seriousness. I stiffened. She closed the distance between us, lifting her hand to my face, her palm warmed against my cheek, “nobody takes what belongs to me and goes scot-free, Ella…” My knees weakened…

' she heard from behind her. She turned and almost fell into its barn but the door saved her. 'What are you doing?' She asked as she placed a hand on her chest. 'Do you want to kill me?' He just smiled walked past her to the horse, unlocked the latch and brought it out. 'Where are you taking it?' He stopped and looked at her. 'You mean Alex. He is going for his walk, he does this every night.' He said and moved ahead. She looked at him; what will she do now?

I said look at her through the mirror, "But you do not fully recover yet" "I know it, but this meeting is really important to me, I can't lose this opportunity and I am fine now" I assured her, but from the look on her face I can tell that she is not convinced but decided to let it be, "Okay, then I should also cancel my leave and go to the office too," she said while putting breakfast on the tea table, "No you're not going anywhere, take rest for a day, you must be tired of taking care of me," I said firmly,