Do you remember that time when you drove 30 miles to bring me food and tuck me in?
That night, three years ago, I thought I was going to drown my sorrows in a huge bottle of Vodka. I sat there in the dark, in the middle of my living room, watching tv. I thought I was going to wallow and tomorrow will be a better day. A quarter of the way down into that handle, I lost it. I started crying and called you. The tv did not serve as a great distraction and I just fell to pieces. I don’t know what we talked about or the duration of that phone call but after some time has passed, there you were at my door. In hand, was a sandwich. I remember it being a club sandwich neatly packed in a black and clear container which came in a big, white bag. I don’t know where you picked it up from. You set it down on my coffee table, I opened it and sat on the floor. While you sat right next to me but on the couch, almost just hovering over me. I remember laying my head on your knee while I took maybe two bites of the sandwich. It was a club sandwich, neatly cut in three triangular pieces and I barely made a dent in one of them.
I don’t know if we talked. I know the TV was still on. I don’t know how long we lingered in the living room. Next thing I know, we were walking down the hallway to my room. I opened the door into complete darkness and made my way under my covers. I found my spot on my pillows, I turned my back to you while you sat on the edge of my bed. I don’t know how long you watched me as I try to fall asleep. When I finally settled, I remember you pulling the cover up to right underneath my chin, you kissed my forehead, told me you loved me, and all that was finally enough for me to fall into sleep. I didn’t feel you leave, I don’t know if the door was locked behind you or how long it took you to get home that night.
We never mentioned that night again but you knew that I was grateful. You never judged my state that night or referenced that poor little girl you fed and picked up off of her own floor.
You taught me kindness that night. You showed me that it still exists and that there is still hope for young people like us. Most of all, you taught me that it’s still ok to be a good person.