Hold on to Me

Funny, isn’t it? Finally this whole Maniro thing is over, which by the way I’m incredibly happy that they found a cure for it, and we know everyone is going to be okay. And I get sick. Like really body? Why are you pulling this on me right now? 

Guess it’s kind of like how a mom gets sick after the kid gets better. You spend all the time taking care of them that when they’re better, you get your turn. At least you get a cure, if only the rest of ‘em were that lucky. Honestly, I’m shocked I never caught it. 

“I can’t help but apologize. It’s frustrating for me and I’m sure it’s frustrating for others. Especially when people don’t know me and they think that I’m just oblivious. It’s okay to ask, I don’t mind answering that question. I wasn’t born with it I was in a car accident and lost my hearing. I’m able to drive in the snow but I don’t like to do it. Then again I don’t think anyone likes to drive in the snow. My main concern is falling in the snow and not being able to get up because something ridiculous like that would happen to me. She would’ve loved to see this? Where is she now? I have been blessed with no allergies so I love the spring. I guess you’re not from around here then?” 

“Don’t apologize, isn’t like I’d know and it’s fine, I’m not as funny as I think I am so I’m used to people not laughing anyway. That’s got to be rough, but I’m sure you can take it.  At least you came out with something that sucks, but it’s not worse which I’m sure a lot of people would rather come out that lucky. I most walked and took the subway back home, I never drove much, but I’ve not had trouble making in the snow, but last few days my roommate’s been driving me here. He’s lived here six years, this is nothing for him. That’s not the worst thing I’ve heard so it’s not that bad, trust me. She died about nine months ago in a fire along with her father, it’s why I moved out here. Being in the city was too much for me, it hurt too much. Nah, New York born and raised. It can get bad there, real bad, but your opinion of bad changes as soon as you have to drive in it. There is a pain in the ass to deal with and a little ugly, but here it looks like a wonderland out there.”

“I’m a writer, or at least I want to be. We observe things. No, it’s alright. I’d rather you tell the truth. I know this is for the best, but… I just really miss my family. I worry about them all the time.”

“You’ve got the voice from it, the way you speak, people would listen. I’m as far from a writer anyone could be, but I’ve always loved a good book. I’d read it. My mother named me after her favorite character from one. Homesickness will get you even at my age, but you can always call ‘em or arrange a visit. It’s a pretty penny here, but maybe it’d help you get some peace of mind. I’d say you need it.”

“I’m sorry, I’m hard of hearing so it’s hard for me to tell when someone is joking or not. Most people can tell because of their tone of voice. I can’t sense jokes or sarcasm. I don’t mind the snow as long as I don’t have to go outside for too long and drive long distances in it. But since I live on site it’s not too bad. I still haven’t decided whether I hate the heat or the cold more. They’re both pretty dreadful. I can’t wait for the spring when the weather is just right. Why aren’t you able to get back home?” 

“Don’t apologize for something you can’t help. That’s got to be a pretty tough existence not being able to catch that. ‘S probably not good to ask, but were you born with it or did it happen over time? I’ve always liked what I’ve seen, but first time really experiencing it like this. It’s really something, couldn’t drive in it for anything, but it’s pretty to look at. My wife would’ve loved to see this. I live off campus, no way I could make it there and get back in the morning. I don’t mind either, really, as long as I’m dressed for it. I’m not a fan of spring, too many allergies for my liking. It’s pretty, but my hay fever kicks in and I can’t do. The weather, mostly and the job, but I haven’t been back in nearly a year. It’s been too hard to go back.” 

“You keep saying that, but I don’t believe it. You’d make a great novel character, if you don’t mind my saying so. I miss it too. Like, if I was still like my sister, so innocent, I would’ve have ended up in this mess, and I’d still be at home with her and my brother.”

“I um, think that’s one of the best compliments I’ve gotten in a while. That’s really nice of you to say, thank you. You must see something I don’t. You know, everyone needs up in places in their life they don’t want to be in and you don’t get it, but you need to face it. It’s going to make you who you need to be, change you. It’s all about how you deal with it. Wish I could tell you it gets easier, but it doesn’t. Finding the fight in you to face it, that gets easier. I’ve been in a few. You never come out the same, but better for it.”

“That’s another clever thing. I think you’re under-estimating yourself. You’ve got that right. I envy her optimism. She still sees everything in black and white.”

“You just caught me on a good day, miss. Sometimes I miss that, things being as simple as that and we just ended up in shades of gray the older we get. I used to teach a boxing class for kids, I think they taught me more about myself than I was teaching them. Sometimes I really miss that.”

“Are you serious? In a snowstorm I’d be wearing flannel, a sweater, and a coat on top of my regular clothes. When the snow first fell I couldn’t even get into my apartment the snow was a bit too high and blocking my door. I had to borrow a co-workers shovel. The cold just makes everyone cranky and not feel good. I think the problem is everyone asked for snow so mother nature hit us with it and she hit us with it hard. I don’t really do much else anyways besides go to work and go home so I think I can wait till April.”

“It was a joke, ‘cause as a kid, I’d go get the mail in just shorts and a pair of flip flops. I wasn’t the brightest, but I’ve got a good tolerance for things. I’ve never seen snow like this, my roommate would warm me about it every day when I first moved here, didn’t take him seriously. I was just lucky he had the spare shovel and jacket. Just like every winter, come summer we will miss this cause the heat does the same thing. You can’t please people, too hot or too cold, never good enough. I’ve just trying to deal with and it doesn’t bother me that much, but not being able to get back home--now that bugs me.”

“Thank you. Everybody’s clever without realizing it sometimes.  My little sister, she’s only six, but sometimes she says the most amazing things.”

“You’re welcome. I guess you caught me on a good day then. I don’t have those usually. Kids are different though, kids understand more than we give ‘em credit for. They speak the truth, we just don’t listen since we’ve come to know the lies.”

“Wouldnt you all know if any of us are sick though? Like wouldnt we be having symptoms or something to make it easier.” He mumbled crossing his arms over his chest. “Most people? So there is a different way to get it? Also, I dont think anyones drinking the water when showering so why is that a rule?”

“I’m no doctor, kid. I don’t know what’s going on, just that some people have gotten sick and they found another kid earlier. It doesn’t come as cross as that easy to kind kid, it takes time to show up.” Atticus struggled to explained. “Yeah, air is another way so even if you show, you could breathe in the illness from the water or something like that. I’m just going off what they’ve told me.”

“Let me get this straight, I cant go outside besides the garden, I cant shower and I can only drink bottled water. Tell me again why we are all being contained here when we arent sick?”

“On the off chance you might be, wish I could give you a better answer on that, but we’ve got to be safe. Most people got it through drinking the tap water and we just got the news, most people have drunk the water. Can’t risk anyone getting sick or sicker. Wish I had better news.”

“I will never get used to the cold. I’m from here and I’m still not used to it. I get cold really easily and when it’s cold and I have to go out I run straight to my car. It’s been a while since I’ve seen this much snow on the ground I kind of wish this would have happened around Christmas. Staying inside sounds like a good idea. I’ll go outside in April when it starts to get warm out.” 

“My mom used to laugh and say I’d wear shorts in a snow storm, but I wouldn't  say that now. Maybe t-shirt, but not shorts. I’ve never been bothered, but this is too much. I don’t see how anyone could like this so I don’t blame you there. Would’ve been nice, but never hit when you want it and now, it might get worse. Never tell with the weather. My roommate warned me about this when I moved here, should’ve listened. April is a little far for my taste for that, but yeah, I’m really starting to miss summer.”

“That sounds beautiful… Like a poem or something? Do you mind if I write that down?”

“No, go a head. I didn’t think i was clever enough to say something wroth writing down.”

“It looks really beautiful from indoors. But once you step outside and feel that cold air it’s not so beautiful anymore. If I was a kid again I’d so be out there jumping in the snow. Now I try to avoid it at all costs.” 

“I grew up in New York, the cold is something I’m used to, but I’ve never seen snow like this.Can’t really say I blame you.  As fun as it looks,  it’s best if we all stay inside, looks like someone could get swallowed up by that.”

“Do you live on site? My… Dr. Mayer told me she was leaving soon, but it doesn’t look like she’ll be going home today.”

“No, I was able to leave yesterday and brought an over night bag in case things got worse.  I wouldn't even try to walk out there  much less drive. I think Dr. Mayer isn’t going anywhere.”