Whatever it Takes~Cassy Callum

Whatever it Takes


“Lisa, I didn’t mean to make you mad earlier, I jus-” I started. I saw Lisa spread across Milly’s bed. She was breathing heavily and shaking slightly. “Oh no.” I said, walking over to her and shaking her. This was not happening again. “Mom!!” I yelled. “Lisa collapsed again!!!” I heard my mother running down the hall. By the time she got there, I was in tears. She came in and turned Lisa over on her back, just like the doctor had told her to do if it happened again. Just a few seconds after she did that, Lisa stopped shaking and her breathing returned to normal. My mother shook her arm gently. Her eyes fluttered open, and I had to consciously stop myself from throwing my arms around her and squealing.
“Are you okay?” My mom asked. Lisa looked as though she was going to be sick.
“Did I collapse again?” She said. She pressed her hand to her forehead and groaned. She almost fell back against the pillows, but mom caught her and propped her up with her arm.
“Yes, you did. Come on. We need to get you in your own bed so you can get some rest.” She said. Lisa started to protest, but mom stopped her before she could make a reasonable argument.
“But, I nee-” She stopped and fell back against mom’s arms.
“You can barely sit up strait as it is.” She helped Lisa to stand up slowly. “The only think you need right now is rest. Come on.” She led Lisa down the hall and to her room. “Cassy,” she said. I turned my head to face her.
“Yes?” I asked.
“Go get your sister a cold washcloth for her forehead.” She said. She faced forward again, leaving me to my job. I ran down the hall to the bathroom and ran a washrag under the tap until it was completely wet. I wrung as much water out of it as I could. When I got back to Lisa’s room, mom was helping her get situated on the bed. I brought the washcloth over and laid it gently on Lisa’s forehead. She winced slightly when the wet material toughed her head, but after a second, she relaxed and her head sunk back into the pillow. I wished I could help her. I wished I could understand what she was going through.
I wanted to stay with Lisa, but as soon as she was comfortable, mom ushered me out of the room.
“See you later. I hope you feel better.” I said. Her only response was to put her hand to her forehead and groan. I shut the door behind me. I vowed then and there to help her in any way I could. I went to my room and got my pillow, blanket, and my favorite stuffed animal. It was a purple bunny that I had had since before I could remember. I went back to Lisa’s door, and set my pillow and blanket on the floor. I would not leave until Lisa was better. I didn’t care how long it took. I would be there for her.
I laid down at the door and closed my eyes, hugging my stuffed bunny tightly.

When I woke up, Lisa was still in her room, so I went to check on her. She was laying the bed, but she was awake.
“Hi Cassy.” Despite our earlier conversation, she looked pleased to see me. She looked like she would’ve been pleased to see anyone at that point.
“Hi Lisa.” I started. “I’m sorry I bothered you earlier today. I didn’t mean to make you mad.” I looked up.
“No. You don’t need to apologize. I’m the one who’s sorry. I shouldn’t have yelled at you like that. You didn’t do anything wrong.” She said.
“Yeah, but I didn’t really do anything right, either.” I said. She looked up at me.
“What do you mean? You’ve done everything right.” She said.
“But you said that I would never understand you. But I tried hard, I really did. But I guess I didn’t try hard enough.” I said. She shook her head.
“Cassy, forget about what I said. I was just mad when I said that, and I said some things I didn’t mean. I never really gave you a chance to understand. I know that now.” She paused. “I was wrong for saying that stuff to you.” She hung her head. “I shouldn’t have yelled at you. I‘m sorry.” She said. I stood awkwardly in the doorway with my hands behind my back.
“It’s okay. I know you didn’t mean to.” I said. I looked around the room, trying to think of something else to say. “Do you want me to get you something to drink?” I asked. I wanted to help her in any way I could.
“Sure.” She answered. “Thanks.” She laid back against the pillows that surrounded her.
“No problem.” I said. I wasn’t sure what I needed to do to help her, but I would do whatever it took.