The Lilac Tunnel: My Journey with Samantha

I want to go home right now, but Samantha has been so good to me that I need to say goodbye first. I force myself to lie still, thinking of how calm she was with me at the doctor’s office. I want to try to be that way for her now.

When dawn light finally trickles through the window, I’m still staring at the ceiling, trying to remember my mom’s phone number at work. Samantha breaks the silence and asks what I’m thinking about. I tell her that I remember where I was heading the other day. I’m supposed to be staying with relatives in a town a few hours north of here. Of course, this is a lie. But I’ve had hours to figure out what to say.

Samantha sits up and says that’s wonderful. She’s happy for me, but I see the moment when she realizes what this means. I’ll be leaving soon. I nod and tell her I need to catch the train north first thing this morning. Samantha says she understands. My relatives must be worried.

Before Samantha leaves to go tell Grandmary, I stop her. I tell her that she really helped me the other day. She made me feel welcome here, and less scared of the doctor’s office. I know she’s going to find a way to help people someday, just like Dr. Ross and my mother. Samantha blushes. She’s smiling when she leaves the room.

After she’s gone, I think about what I’ll do when I get back home. The first thing I’ll do is call my mother. I want to ask her if I’ve ever had chicken pox, but there’s something else I want to say even more. I’m proud of her, and the work she does. And I’m lucky to be her daughter. And one day, I hope to be someone who helps other people too.