Through the Cool Breeze

It was cool and fresh. The salty breeze blew through my face. The sand and the clear ocean water were cool.

I walked along the shore of the beach with bare feet. The sand was soft. But as I looked along the distance, I spotted someone in a wheelchair. He was struggling, trying to get to the shore. I did the only logical thing: I ran to help him.

“Are you trying to get to the water? Here, let me help you,” I said. I push the boy towards the shore. Then I set him facing the water.

“Thank you,” said the boy.

I smile at him. “No problem. What’s your name?”

“Cameron.”

“How old are you?”

“Eight.”

“Wow. May I ask, why are you in a wheelchair?”

Cameron didn’t answer.

“Sorry for asking, ignore my question.”

“I have stage four cancer.”

“Oh.”

‘Oh’ was a stupid answer, really. I should’ve said “I’m sorry” or “Poor you”, but all I said was ‘oh’.

Cameron laughed. “That's a funny answer. I wish I heard that more.”

I managed to smile, but I didn't see what was so funny about it. Why would that be funny? It was kind of stupid. But what would I know, I didn’t have cancer... Yet.

“Yeah… My name is Charlotte, by the way. I’m fifteen. Nice to meet you,” I said.

“You too.”

The rest of the time we didn’t talk much. I tried to make conversation, but he didn’t seem interested in saying anything. Which made things awkward. So I stopped talking and sat next to Cameron and enjoyed the view.

“I come here when I feel like I need to be alone,” I finally said.

This time, Cameron looked at me. “I do too, mostly when my mom leaves me at home.”

I was surprised. “Is that why I don’t see your mom here?” I asked.

“Yeah, she has work. I don’t go to school, so I’m homeschooled, but my mom’s been working late shifts lately. My mom can’t find a babysitter for me, so I’m home alone. My dad left when I was little. But it’s fine, I live pretty close to here,” he answered. “What about you?”

“My mom doesn’t work. It’s the summer so I don’t really have anything to do. Since we live so close to the beach, I just bike here. I would stay here for a few hours. But when there’s school, I would come here for half an hour or so, more or less,” I replied. “I live in that apartment, right there.” I point to a tall building.

“Really? I do too. I’m on the eighth floor,” Cameron grins.

“I live on the tenth floor,” I said. “Maybe I could visit you.”

I was only joking, but Cameron nodded. Then, we were back to silence.

***

I waited in the elevator, standing next to Cameron. Finally, we stopped on the eighth floor.

“Well, this is my stop, bye,” said Cameron.

“Wait!” I called out. “Let me come with you.”

Cameron nodded. We walked to door 823. Cameron dug in his pocket for the key. After a second the door was opened. I stepped inside. The walls were mint green and there was a big shelf of books.

“Like books, huh?” I said, looking at him.

A middle-aged woman with brown hair stepped in. “Oh yes,” the woman said, “my son can’t do anything anymore stuck in that wheelchair.”

Cameron looked surprised. “Mom? I thought you were at work!”

Cameron’s mom smiled sweetly. “I decided to take half the day off so I can spend as much time as I can with you, before you…” She suddenly choked up.

“Die…” Cameron finished.

“No! Don’t say that! You aren’t going to die,” his mom insisted.

Cameron shook his head. “You know it’s true. We both do.” He sighed. His mom shook her head and put her hands on her face, clearly stressed. Then, she apparently remembered I was there. She sniffed and plastered a smile.

“I’m sorry if I get emotional, just a lot of things on my mind right now. Come, have a seat. We should talk.” Cameron’s mom led me toward the living room. I sat stiffly on the couch. I was a nervous wreck! I didn’t know Cameron’s mom would be here. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

“What would you like to talk about, ma’am?” I asked nervously.

“Please, call me Mary, Mary Johnson. What’s your name?” the woman asked.

“My name?” I repeated. “Oh! My name! It’s Charlotte.”

The lady smiled. “I wanted to ask: Do you live here?” she said.

I stared at her. It was kind of dangerous to be telling someone where you live, especially the people you just met. But I thought for a second. I already told Cameron I lived on the tenth floor, so he could just blab about where I already live. It wouldn’t make a big difference if I tell her face to face than if I let Cameron tell her. But maybe she could think that her son is lying to her. Man, this was a real head-scratcher. After a long time of thinking and silence, I made my decision. 

“Yes,” I said cautiously. “I do. Why?”

Mrs. Johnson smiled. “Nothing, I just wanted to know. Can I ask, will you be my son’s babysitter for a while? I’ll pay you twenty dollars an hour if you want.”

I eyed the woman carefully. Tried to spot any suspicious actions going on, but she was perfectly normal. I thought. I didn’t have anything to lose. Well, I can just make some money in the meantime.

“I’ll take the offer.,” I finally said.

Mrs. Johnson was delighted. “Really? That quickly? Well, I guess you can start tomorrow if you want. Here, I’ll give you my number if you want to change your mind later.”

***

We talked for a few minutes. But I looked at the clock beside the TV. It was already six-fifteen! It was almost time for dinner. I knew I was going to be yelled at.

“Sorry Mrs. Johnson, I have to go!” I said as I leaped out of my seat.

“Oh, all right. Please come again!” she said. I raced towards the elevator.

As I get inside, I push the button with the ten on it. I tap my foot impatiently as the elevator slowly climbs up. It stopped at the ninth floor and the doors opened. A teenage boy around my age stepped in.

We stood in silence as the elevator started moving. 

“Going up?” the boy said.

I nod. “What about you?”

“The same,” he replied.

“All right.” He stared at the wall. “Hey, have we met before?”

I take a closer look at him. I searched through my memories. Then I found one where I bumped into a guy in the hallway at school.

“I think we have. You're the guy that I bumped into when we were in the hallway at school,” I said.

“Sorry, but I’ve bumped into a lot of people. You have to be more specific,” he replied.

I nod my head again. “I guess that makes sense. Okay, let me ask you, what school do you go to?”

The boy tilted his head. “How can I trust you?” By that time, we were already out of the elevator and in the hallway. Teal doors lined the hall. 

“I’m fifteen and I’m a girl. Boy, I would be more afraid of you than me,” I smirk.

He shrugged. “I guess that’s true. I go to a high school that’s like, I don’t know, ten minutes from here.”

“Yeah! That’s the one that I go to! Okay, so, from the last time I remember, I think your name was Calvin. Am I right?” I said.

The boy raised an eyebrow. “Yeah? And you are?”

I rolled my eyes, this boy wasn’t getting it. “I'm Charlotte, remember?”

Finally, Calvin understood. “Oh! I remember you! Aren’t you in math class with me?”

I think, then nodded. “Yea, I sit at the same table as you, I think.”

“Don’t you sit right next to Lynn?” asked Calvin.

“Yeah,” I answered.

“Well, it was nice seeing you. Maybe we can meet up one day, but I gotta go. Bye!” Calvin turned and left.

I turned in the opposite direction. I walked to a door that read 1045. I pulled out the keys and unlocked the door. I stepped into the familiar surroundings.

Mom walked out of the kitchen. “Where were you?! I was worried! What if something happened to you?! Huh?! Answer!”

“Sorry,” I mutter. “I was trying to help someone out.”

Mom scowled. “Then you should tell me ahead of time. What else were you doing?”

“Nothing. I was just trying to help a boy with cancer!” I stomped my foot.

Mom’s face softened. She always had a soft spot for cancer people. Always. “Well, in that case, I’ll let you off this time,” she said. “Now come on, I made dinner, your dad will be coming late today. I think he said his boss came down.”

I shrug. It’s not every day Dad’s boss comes to visit. I brought the dishes to the dining room. Then I look around. “Where’s Kyle?” I asked.

“He’s playing on his computer in the living room,” Mom said without looking up.

“Hey! How come Kyle’s not helping?” I whine.

“Fine, I’ll call him. Kyle!” Mom yelled.

A few minutes passed, but sure enough, he came walking in. “What?” he grumbled. “I’m watching Minecraft!”

“Go help your sister bring the food to the table,” Mom ordered.

“Fine…” he muttered.

“Don’t talk to me like that. All you need to say is ‘yes’,” barked Mom.

“Yes.” Kyle rolled his eyes. As he brought another dish to the table. I followed. Then we all sat at the table. We did a quick prayer then dug in.

We heard the door open. Dad came walking in. “Hi my family,” he said with a big smile.

I looked at him. “Hi… Did your boss buy you dinner?”

“No. I was going to eat leftovers, but I guess I'll eat this instead.” Dad looked at the table. “Curry, rice, and chicken.” He sat down and began to fill his plate.

Soon, we finished eating. Me, Kyle, and Dad sat on the couch, watching TV. Just then, Mom walked toward Dad.

“I cooked today, it’s your turn to wash the dishes,” she said.

“All right.” Dad got up with a big sigh. Then, I heard the sink turn on.

“You two need to go shower and go to bed.” Mom glared at us.

I sigh and slump towards my room while Kyle walks towards the bathroom.

Before I knew it, I was in my PJs and snug in my bed. I slowly closed my eyes.

***

The next few weeks flew by fast. Before I knew it, it was already the middle of November.

It was four in the afternoon and school just ended. I was on the bus going back to the street where the apartment complex was. I was looking out the window at the familiar surroundings.

I was stressed because of Cameron. I didn’t want him to be gone forever. It just wasn’t right. Just then, I felt my phone vibrating, so I picked it up.

“Hey, Mrs. Johnson. What’s going on?” I asked.

I heard a shaky voice on the other line. “Charlotte, you better come quickly. Cameron’s in the hospital. I just sent you the location.”

“What?! Okay, I’m coming,” I said in an alarmed voice.

As soon as the bus stopped, I jumped out and grabbed my bike on the bike rack. I looked at my phone. It was the hospital on the third block.

I don't know how long I took, but I got there as fast as my feet could petal. I reached the hospital and threw my bike down.

I ran to the checkout counter. “I’m sorry, which room is Cameron Johnson’s room? Please! Hurry!”

The lady at the front desk looked at me. “Miss, please, calm down. You cannot yell in a hospital. I need you to sign here. Are you family?” She handed me a clipboard.

I scribbled my name. “No, I’m just a close friend. Which room is he in?”

“Fourth floor, fifth room to the right.”

“Thank you!” I said as I walked as quickly as I could to the elevator. 

I slammed the button that had a four on it as I walked inside. 

Once the elevator came to a halt, I sprinted to the right. I silently counted doors, then I found one with a clipboard next to it. I inspected it. Sure enough, the top read Cameron Johnson. I knocked on the door. I could hear some sniffling. The door opened. Mrs. Johnson had puffy eyes with tears streaming down her face. She gave me a weak smile. “I’m so glad you’re here. Cameron’s on the bed.”

I walked in and held my breath. Cameron lay on the bed. Wires and tubing were everywhere. His wheelchair is next to his bed. Cameron had no more hair. I knew he’d been losing hair over the months, but I didn't think he would turn out like this.

I choked back a sob myself. I hated seeing people like this. One time was enough. But twice? It was too much to take.

Cameron turned to me. He was so weak, but he managed to smile. “You’re here. I was worried that I wasn’t going to see you again. But I’m glad I can be near the people I love one more time…”

I shook my head and put a hand over my mouth. I looked at the ceiling and back down at him.

Cameron closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Then, he stopped moving. He looked so peaceful. He didn’t have to worry about anything anymore. No more pain. No more stress. No more worries.

I broke down crying. I had to sit down. I sat in the chair next to the lifeless body. I sobbed. I knew I was going to get in trouble. I didn’t care. 

I should’ve spent more time with him. I knew he had cancer. I knew he was going to die one day. I should’ve spent as much time as I could with him. But I knew Cameron wouldn’t want me to have any regrets. So I just sat there, crying. Mrs. Johnson standing next to me, rubbing my back while sobbing.

It must’ve been an hour. I finally ripped myself from the hospital. I called my mom to pick me up. I stood at the entrance with my bike. Then, I spotted my mom’s car. I put my bike in the trunk and climbed into the front seat.

“Why were you at the hospital!? Why didn’t you answer my calls!?” Mom kept yelling.

“Cameron just died Mom, can we please talk about this later?” I barked.

The rest of the ride home was in silence. When we got to our apartment, I sat at the dining room table and sighed.

Mom marched in front of me. “Now, I want you to tell me everything.”

I spent the next hour telling her everything that happened. 

“So, it’s just like what happened with your grandma?” Mom murmured. 

“History’s just repeating itself,” I confirmed.

“When’s the funeral?” Mom asked.

“Mrs. Johnson sent me the information. I’ll send it to you,” I said. “I’m going to bed. I’m not hungry.”

***

I was grateful to have Calvin by my side. He helped me deal with Cameron’s death. I remembered that time when I asked Mrs. Johnson if I could bring Calvin over while I babysat. We had such a great time.

On the day of the funeral, I wore a black dress, while Calvin wore a black leather jacket, t-shirt, and a pair of jeans.

I took a shaky breath. “Let’s go.”

We walked along the graveyard. It was cloudy, but no rain, yet. A few of Camron’s family members talked. Then, everyone gathered around his grave.

The funeral lasted a few hours. Afterward, everyone started to leave. It was only me, Calvin, Mom, and Mrs. Johnson who left.

“I’m so sorry about your son, Mary…” Mom said.

“It’s all right, Sally,” she said softly. “Remember the day when Cameron accidentally lost a tooth while going down the slide?”

“How could I forget? He was only four,” said Mom. “We were best friends in high school. Now everything’s so different,”

Mrs. Johnson nodded. “Yes. I think I’ve had enough for one night. Goodbye.”

Mom and Mrs. Johnson walked toward the cars. Calvin stood behind me with his hand on my shoulder. I looked up at the dark sky and breathed in the cold air. “History repeating itself again, right grandma?”