Chapter 3

"You never do anything, Popuri!" I watch in dismay as my two children bustle downstairs in the middle of a heated argument. Rick's face is almost as red as his hair, and Popuri's eyes are flashing with rage. I try raising my voice in order to stop them, though as usual, they do not heed me.

"I am always the one cleaning the coops, watering the corn, feeding the chickens... the only thing you ever do is go to the beach and hang out with that loser boyfriend of yours!" Rick continues, his voice raising all the while.

"That's not true!" Popuri retorts, tears forming in the corners of her eyes. "I always try to help out, but you say I can't! You say I'm incapable! But I'm perfectly capable, Rick! You just never give me a chance!"

"That's because you're always messing up... always knocking things over or dropping the eggs, yet I'm sure there are some idiot-proof jobs you could still do, you just never take the time to THINK ABOUT IT!" Rick screams so loudly that Popuri is knocked backward. They are getting out of control now, and I have been trying my best to separate the two.

"I hate you, Rick! I hate you!" Tears are streaming down Popuri's face now, and I go to her in comfort. Rick is still fuming.

"Oh, sure, protect her, mom! She's always been a mama's girl, crying when she doesn't get her way!" I can't believe Rick's words. I let go of Popuri and turn to face the fuming boy.

"Rick, think of what your father would say if heard you say that!" I scold him. "What would he think if he were here?"

He squints his eyes. "But he's not here, is he! No, and look at what he's left us with, mom! What good has he done for us lately!"

Now I have had enough. Rick has finally crossed the line. "Rick," I say quietly but sternly, "go up to your room. I don't ever want to hear you say that again. Your father is—"

"—searching for some flower that probably doesn't even grow, mom! He's made you weaker by leaving you! Don't you see it?" I feel faint at his words. I have thought this before, of course, but I know I can't lose hope. I have to believe David is doing the right thing...

All of the sudden I see darkness set in and my knees go weak and buckle. A moment later I feel Popuri's girlish arms supporting me.

"Mom!" she yells, forgetting temporarily about her argument with her brother. "Are you okay?"

"Oh, yes, I think so," I reply quietly, moving toward the couch with the help of Popuri. After helping settle me down, she turns angrily back toward Rick.

"See what you've done?" she screamed. My heart sank. "You know mom's weak! You know she can't be subjected to your constant attacks, Rick!"

Rick said nothing, but wore an expression that showed he was trying his best to refrain from exploding once again. Popuri came and knelt down by the couch on which I was now lying. "I'll go and get Doctor Tim," she said.

"No, no, dear," I told her, finding my voice again. "I'll be fine with a bit of rest." She seemed dissatisfied with my reassurance.

"Okay, but—" she cast a sideways glance at Rick, "if anything bothers you, let me know, and I'll go and get him right away."

I nod, and Popuri brushes past a still silent Rick and climbs up toward her room. Rick stands for a moment longer, still red in the face, and then heads outside to the chicken coop. The room is peaceful once again.

Though my mind whirls with thoughts. What if what Rick said was true? Was David really hurting me more by leaving me here, all alone? Does a flower with such powers to heal me even exist? I feel the brims of my eyes become warm, and know that I cannot be discovered crying by my children, so I quickly close them and try pushing the thoughts from my mind. I let it wander onto various lighter subjects until, inevitably, I fall asleep...

I hear a voice, seemingly faraway, and it is speaking to me. "But are you sure it is best?" It is soft but deep. I recognize it right away. "I never thought it would come to this... "

I open my mouth in reply, though I do not know where he is; I cannot see anything around me but blackness. "I'm not so sure anymore..." I say.

And then I see him. Just as I remember him. A small room comes into focus around me, and I recognize it as our living room. He looks down at me, an expression of sadness marked with love set on his face, a look that has always stuck in my mind. "It'll be okay. I'll be back soon enough," he says. "It'll all be okay..."

I reach out toward him. "Don't worry..." he whispers, his voice fading away. "It will be okay..."

I reach out, but my hand touches nothing but air. As quickly as he had appeared he fades, and I see nothing but the still room again. I sit up and look around, finding a room worn from years of neglect. I sigh.

"It'll be okay..."I repeat.

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AN: Bleh, that took me forever. Super sorry about that, folks! And I know it is short... and probably not as good as the last couple of chapters... but I had to write some sort of transition, here. To what, you will find out... and HOPEFULLY soon. Anyway, thanks bunches for the spiffy reviews, and I really hope you're still with me on this one! For you new readers, let me know what you think. Until next time— JW.