Page 36 - Self Talk

branch of red berries I had collected were now a
mobile thanks to the fishing line Margaret supplied, and memories of one I had made in middle-school art class.
I tiptoed down the hall, tapped on Susan's door and stuck my head in. She looked like she hadn't moved a muscle since I left.
“You awake?” I whispered.
“Yes, but it's becoming harder to tell the difference,” she answered.
“I brought a little surprise for you,” I perked up, unveiling the leaf mobile.
“Oh, Jack, you didn't.” A single tear crept down her pale cheek.