Glancing up, I notice a sign, and let a sigh of relief when I notice that I am finally headed in the right direction. It is a good thing that Abby had to drop me off early because I would have been really late.

I had no idea why I was so nervous. I had done this a bunch of times. Still, my stomach had been in knots once I had walked in the main doors. There was something about this place that was creeping me out.

It was like I had been here before. Then this strange sensation came over me. It was like I had finally found my home. I was home.

Shaking my head, I try to dissaude myself from believing that. I couldn’t put my finger on it but there was just something.

Maybe my medication was playing games with my mind. For the last three weeks, Rick had put me on a new medication, hoping that it would help ease the pain. So far it was working but I knew that there were guarantees that it would always work.

I had already been through three medications before Rick had found this one, and decided to put me on it for a trial period. I would take it for five weeks and then if I made me too sick or there was no change, I would be taken off it. Let’s just hope that this one works.

There were not a lot of options left. All the other medications had made me extremely sick, and it had been impossible to keep any food down. I was losing a lot of weight and the doctors were concerned by my reaction. My body was having an adverse reaction to a lot of food. I had to learn to like new types of food and abandon my old favorites. It was hard to give up some of my favorite foods but I took it in stride.

There were more important things to worry about then not being able to eat Doritos. I had to worry about my mental health. Sometimes, I was thinking that even that was slipping away.

The sound of cheering snaps me out of my daze. As I peer down the hall, I notice a door at the end is open. As I walk closer to the room, the cheers and the yelling start to become clearer. It was a group of children playing basketball.

Glancing at my watch, I realize that I still have enough time to watch some of the game and still make it back to my appointment down the hall. I slip into the gym, and position myself against the wall, taking in the site.

A smile touches my lips. Being around young children always cheers me up. They have so much energy, and so untouched by the events going on around them. Children always have a smile on their face, and the sound of their laughter is so beautiful.

I have always loved children. A lot of my spare time growing up was spent babysitting Rocky and Coop, and Meg. I had the best time with them. Hopes for my own family were put aside. I was not sure if I could deal with being a mother and dealing with my illness at the same time. It was hard enough to take care of myself, let alone a child.

Maybe one day, I will be able to have children. All I needed was a good husband, who would be willing to have a wife who may lose her sight. I couldn’t expect some nice guy to be willing to take care of me. It would be too emotional trying. I was not even sure if I could deal with a relationship either.

I was thinking too far ahead. Nothing was set in stone. Children still could be in the cards, but I just had to wait. Shaking my head, I decide to just focus on the game. Soon, I found myself caught up in the game, and I begin to cheer for the two teams.

I could feel a tug at my heart when I notice a young boy on the court. He was about ten years old, and had dark curly hair with chocolate brown eyes. He reminded me of Danny. Tears spring to my eyes. That is what our son could have looked like. I had always pictured that my son would look just like his father. He would have the same face, the same smile, and the charm. He would be Danny.

Danny.

I had not thought about him in awhile. I had actually been able to push any thoughts of Danny from my mind. Plus, it had been easier to just focus on getting better than worrying about my miserable love life.

Danny.

Suddenly, the room begins to feel too clauspohibic, and it hurts just to breathe. I quickly walk over to the door, and as I start to walk into the hall, an arm stops me.

“Michelle.”

My head snaps up at the sound of my name.

That voice sounds so familiar. No, it can’t be.

Slowly, I turn around, and find myself face to face with Danny.

Oh boy.

Instinctively, I move backwards, confused at Danny’s sudden appearance. I had not seen him in there before. I was sure of that. Or maybe I was going crazy.

“Hello Danny.”

Danny releases my arm, and I can feel his eyes wandering over my body. A small tingle shoots down my spine. It is still there, I think to myself, there is still a spark. That long forgotten spark.

“Michelle.”

“Wh--What are you doing here?” I ask, surprised at his sudden appearance.

There was that beauty smile of his. That boyish smile. “I just wanted to come by and make sure that things were running smoothly. There was a problem last week, and I wanted to check it out for myself, and see that things were back to normal.”

Questions start to swim around in my head then realization hits. I had remembered that Danny had told me, in one of the few normal talks that we had, that his family helped run some shelters. I guess that includes the local community centers.

I give Danny a small smile. “I remember you telling me. It is nice that you care so much.”

Danny shrugs. “They are a great group of kids here, and I like to come down and spend time with them.”

I wish that I could be here with you. I wish that we could have shared this together.

“Kids are a lot of fun, aren’t they? I used to babysit all the time for Frank, Buzz, and Holly.”

Danny looks at me with a look that I have never seen before. There was no hate in his eyes anymore. That was good enough for me. “Yeah,” I say, now aware of the awkwardness surrounding us, “It was nice seeing you, Danny.”

“Wait, Michelle. I just wanted to say that I am sorry about..”

“Thank you, Danny.” I say, touched by his concern.

“Abby has told me that you have been really sick lately.”

“Excuse me?” I ask in disbelief. When did Danny talk to Abby?

“Oh, I see Abby around here a lot, and she mentioned that you have been sick. I’m sorry I was not trying to pry.” he says apologtically.

“No, it’s okay. I am fine now,” I assure Danny, “I have my good days and my bad but I have learned to live through them. Really, I am okay.”

“I’m sorry that this is happening to you, Michelle.” He says softly.

“I appreciate your concern especially after everything that has happened with us. I will be okay, I have some good doctors, and Rick. I have my family and friends to help me.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” Danny whispers. “Michelle, there is…”

“Michelle?” I turn around to see Dr. Howard. Oh god, I completely forgot about my appointment. Embarrassment floods my body.

“Dr. Howard, I am so sorry, I was just..”

“It’s okay, Michelle. I was running lately, but now, we can get started.”

Slowly, I turn back to Danny, letting out a sigh of relief when he is still there. “It was nice to see you again, Danny. I wish you all the best.”

“Take care of yourself, Michelle.”

*Feels like home to me
Feels like home to me
Feels like I'm all the way back where I belong*


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