Paul knocked on the door. "Are you awake?" he asked so softly, if I had been asleep he wouldn't have woken me up.

"Yes," I answered. He came in and smiled, seeing Martha.

"Good morning, Linda," Then he added "And Martha,"

"Good morning, Paul," I greeted.

"How are you feeling today?" he asked, concern thick in his voice.

"I'm alright, I guess. My stomach hurts, but it's not too bad." In truth, it felt horrible, but I didn't want to complain much about it. I LIED! I LIED TO HIS FACE AND HE BELIEVED ME!

He looked closer at my face, probably seeing bags under my eyes. "Oh, Linda, did you get any sleep, Love?"

"I just woke up, so I must've gotten a little, but I couldn't sleep for quite a while."

"Poor thing," he sighed, kneeling down beside me and laid his hand on my arm. "Do you feel like getting up?"

I thought about it. My stomach hurt too much and I was ridiculously tired. I shook my head. I was worried that if I tried to get up I might pass out.

"Tht's alright. You look exhausted, you should probably go back to sleep, how does that sound?"

"Mmm" I agreed, closing my eyes and instantly falling back asleep.

<^>

The medics arrived and let me ride to the hospital with them, though that was as far as I could go. They carried her limp body into another room and I had to wait outside. Eyes full of tears, her laugh echoed in my head.

After a half hour of waiting, a solemn nurse exited Heather's room. "I'm very sorry, ma'am." was all she said, and all she needed to say. I broke down right then and there, not being able to stop. The nurse sat next to me and laid a hand on my shoulder, not doing much but at least trying. I felt absolutely helpless. I buried my face in my hands, my hot tears running down my forearms. Only a few thoughts clear in my mind:"She's gone.....my baby girl's gone.....my poor Heather.....

<^>