This evening Mary and Natalie were texting back and forth, and much to my surprise, a very powerful conversation took place. I believe it speaks best on its own, so I include it here.
Mary: I should be in bed
Natalie: Nah
srsly I have a test tomorrow
ugh I hate teachers who give extra tests. aren’t finals enough torture?
right?
I’m nervous about it. it’s making me feel sick
what subject?
biology
ur good, u know that stuff
idk
what do you do when ur nervous and can’t sleep?
watch sth stupid online. sth to make you laugh
maybe I’ll try it
so can I ask you sth
what
I saw a scar on your wrist the other day
I was with Mary during this long silence, and it made her more nervous than any test.
what’s the question?
I guess…did you do it?
yeah
when?
She wanted to ask why, but she lost her courage for a moment.
freshman year
is that the only one
nope
For some reason, this made Mary think that Natalie was angry with her, and so she was ready to stop the conversation. I went to check on Natalie, however, and found her sitting with her phone in hand, giving it her undivided attention.
sry I’ll stop
it’s okay, I don’t mind
really?
not like you can talk to anyone else about it, I bet
The truth of that statement brought Mary to tears.
what do you want to know
I guess…does it hurt?
not a lot at first. It’s annoying afterwards though. it itches
huh, never thought abt that
does it help?
When Natalie saw this, she sighed, put her phone down, and covered her face with her hands. A moment later she picked up her phone again to reply.
No.
u think it does at first, but it doesn’t
Mary didn’t know what to say.
so what does help?
talk 2 someone
like u?
yeah. You talk to me anytime.
Those words, spelled out and enunciated, sent a rush of warmth through Mary. She smiled at them, her eyes watering.
Thx
I’m serious. Anytime.
ur the best
That made Natalie laugh, tasting bitterness in her throat, and I went to her and put my wings around her.
no I’m not
are u kidding? ur a lifesaver
The hard truth of that struck Natalie to the core. She realized how very possible it was that she was saving Mary’s life, and it made it hard for her to breathe for a moment.
I just know how much it sucks to be alone
well ur not alone anymore
u can talk to me anytime, 2
It warms me, how much compassion can multiply. Having received kindness, Mary was eager to return it.
thx, kid
now go to bed so u can ace ur test
ugh don’t remind me
u r going to rock. say it
I’m going to rock
And suddenly, Mary believed it.