I’m about to tell her no when we’re interrupted by a nurse. “Are you Sophie’s family?”

“Yes,” we reply in unison. The nurse gives us a warm smile.

“I’m Maura, from social work.” Social work? Where’s the damn nurse? I was called to Sophie’s case based on some information the medics were given on her way over. About her history. I was wondering if I could speak to you about those things in a more private area. Would that be okay?”

My mom speaks up. “We aren’t her blood relatives, I understand there are some privacy rules and regulations we wouldn’t want to cross.”

“Of course. She’s told me about her biological family and the circumstances. I’ve been given the okay to proceed speaking with you all. As long as you agree.”

Of course we agree. I’ll do anything to help her. “She’s awake? She’s okay?” I ask with hope.

“She’s doing better and awake. We’ve spent some time talking. But she was concerned about seeing you all.”

I don’t get it. “Why?”

“Sophie’s gone through several traumatic experiences in a very short amount of time. Her body and mind gave up earlier today. She was overwhelmed and exhausted. The combination of not sleeping, and not properly eating caused her to pass out. Her blood sugar plummeted. That in itself was serious but combined with her recent concussion; the fall she took as she lost consciousness was also a concern. She’s a brave young woman with one complicated past.”

“Will she be okay? There’s no permanent damage?” Mom asks.

“Nothing permanent physically, no. But mentally, she’s struggling. Her therapist has been effective, but I don’t think it’s enough, especially with all the outside distractions.”

I let mom handle the questions. My mind’s spinning. “What do you recommend for her?”

“I think she’d benefit from inpatient therapy in our Behavioral Health Center. Peer group counseling as well as individual. I’d also like her to meet with her biological family to work through her anger. She has your love and support as I can see, but she needs more.”

I stand up, not agreeing with the recommendation. “She’s not crazy. Do you have any idea the hell her family has put her through? I’m sorry, but she’s not going anywhere. She can move in with me.”

“Kipton,” Mom urges.

“No, Mom. They aren’t sticking her in a padded room like a prisoner. I’ll take her to therapy every day. To the woman she sees now.”

“Honey, she can’t live a full life if she’s not well enough to enjoy it—to fully experience it. Let’s help her find her joy again. She can’t keep holding onto the burden she’s carrying. Nobody can survive forever like that. You heard Maura, her body gave out on her today.”

“She’s been depressed and withdrawn, but she’s trying to sort out the letters from her Father and make sense of everything”

“Exactly Kipton. She needs help making sense of her world.”

It’s selfish, but what if she starts thinking I’m wrong for her too. It’s not about me. “Can I see her?”

Maura smiles warmly at me. “Of course you can. She’s being observed overnight in this department. If all is well tomorrow, they will discharge her to our care. While her therapy isn’t mandatory—meaning we can’t hold her against her will, we will recommend she remain for the duration. Having your support would make this transition easier for her to accept.”

I’m almost afraid to ask, but I do it anyway. “Does she know she’s going? Have you told her?”

She nods her head. “She knows.” I sigh in relief.

Sophie can be stubborn, but if she says she wants the help they’re offering, I’ll support her. “Can I see her now?”

“You can all follow me, but just one at a time in the room. She’s resting and I don’t want to overwhelm her.” We follow Maura without question. “Second door on the left.”

“Thank you.”

“I’ll be at the front desk processing her paperwork. If you need anything push the call button in her room.”

“Okay.” Each step I take toward her, my heart rate kicks up another notch. I don’t understand my nervousness. She’s my Sophie.

The door to her room is halfway open so I nudge it with my forearm. I’m not prepared for what I see.

“WAKE UP, SOPHIE. I’M HERE.”

I hear Kipton’s voice and struggle to get to it. My body fights to pull me back into darkness, locking me inside my dream, but I fight back to open my eyes. The first thing I see are Kipton’s baby blues staring nervously into my own. I scared him.

My eyes were only closed for a short time, but the words from my sixteenth birthday letter are embedded into the backs of my eyelids. No matter how hard I try, each time I fall asleep, I see his words staring back at me. I’ve read each letter enough times to have memorized each endearment, each phrase of promise, and each signature.

“I’m sorry.”

“Shh. You’re okay, beautiful. Everything is going to be okay now.”

I glance around the room. Picking at the tape on my arm covering the IV, I flinch when I press too hard. The coolness from the medication seeps into my veins slowly, lessening my headache but not curing my pain. “This hurts.”

“It will help you feel better. You fell again.”

There are patches stuck to my chest with wires coming out of them. They itch and I disconnect one as I scratch at it. A machine goes wild, beeping erratically, just like my heart. I stare at it, unsure of its purpose, but afraid to move.

A nurse rushes into the room, silencing the beeping and reconnecting me to the wire. Kipton moves out of her way, but stays close to my bedside. “Can we go home now, Kipton?”

“You agreed to stay for a little while. Do you remember passing out?”

He’s right. I did agree after speaking to the social worker, but I know they won’t let him stay once I’m moved. I wrap my arms around myself, scooting under the crappy bed sheet. All that’s wrapped around me is a thin gown and I’m freezing. “Dizzy. I got so dizzy. I tried to make it to the phone, but I don’t think I did. That’s all I remember. I still feel weak, and my head is fuzzy.”

“It’ll take some time to get your blood sugar back up. All that matters is you’re okay. God, beautiful, I was so scared when I found you.” He tucks a piece of hair behind my ear and I lean into his touch. It’s comforting.

“You found me?” I question. There’s no memory of ever leaving my dorm room.

“Yeah. You were passed out on the floor. I panicked and was yelling for help and trying to wake you back up.” He runs his head through his hair and exhales loudly at the reminder.

“I’m sorry I scared you.”

He takes my hand and rubs it soothingly. “It’s not your fault. We’re gonna get you fixed up and you’ll be back in your room in no time.”

“You really think I should stay?”

He nods his head and no words are needed. He needs me to stay as much as I know I should. “I know I said I would, but I’m scared to stay here without you. Every time I try to sleep, he comes. He won’t stop and it’s driving me crazy.”

“Who won’t stop?” I wait for the nurse to leave before I continue. “Sophie, look at me. Tell me what you mean.”

“Coach Evans and his letters. They follow me everywhere I go.”

There’s a knock on the door and Lynn peeks her head inside the room. She glances over her shoulder before scurrying inside to join the two of us. “There’s only one person allowed at a time, but I had to see you with my own eyes,” she whispers.

“Hi, Lynn. I’m just getting my things together so Kipton can take me home.” I hate her seeing me like this. Her house is the only place my dreams haven’t followed. I’d do anything to go back there for a while instead of staying here all alone.