Evacuation Order

A Sisterhood?

I didn't fall asleep right away, I prayed quietly for Jenny, this new Jenny, I prayed that I would be able to help her trust us for breakfast and maybe a rest from biking, I don't really need my sleeping bag, it's packed but my Aunt is hosting us, we could give it to her, of she won't let us help otherwise, and some of my clothes would fit her.

That nightmare of that being me, most have been a vision so I would be out there to witness and help, to understand part of her journey, I hope we can get to know each other better tomorrow, I miss having a female best friend around, some things James doesn't cut it, he has been a sport with some make up and nails, he did enjoy the skin care part of the facial and his skin looks great, I pamper him that way but I miss that girl stuff.

I know getting a head of myself and wanting a new friend is selfish considering this poor woman is homeless and alone.

I noticed as she rolled over in a deep sleep a star of David necklace, I wonder if that is a part of her trust issues, if her ancestors had survived the h*******t mistrust could be a generational issue, sadly some are still very racist.

I witnessed that the last day of our youth group before all the restrictions came into effect, a Jewish boy about to have his bar mitzvah for turning 13, was ridiculed for thinking he is now a man, all because he answered someone else's question of what it was, shocked that a few members of our group had showed how culturally insensitive they truly were and they confessed this was for volunteer hours only for school credit, we asked them to leave the group, that had never happened before.

After the two bullies left, when it was a real safe space many of the youth opened up to what they faced, that was when I learned helpers have become rare, all the struggles they opened up and talked to me about, all the pain in the world and how grateful they all felted to be in this program and know me, a older kid still fighting for justice and change, not silenced by aging and responsibility, understanding our responsibility to each other and humanity, I began to cry, I hope my change markers are ok, I hope they all come back.

I fell asleep with pleasant flash backs of the different youth's that have been in the group, the accomplishments it's made in fundraising and education, raising awareness and shaping caring compassionate community leaders.

My dream turns into something else, it looks like both Jenny's talking, this Jenny would be 15 at the time, it looks like the hospital my Jenny had been often, could their paths of crossed? I walk closer and this older Jenny is pushing a woman in a wheelchair, a frail weak man beside her, my Jenny sees me "hello dear friend, welcome to one of my memories, I asked our maker to show you this, to help this Jenny remember what it's like to be cared for, so listen in and understand".

"I am sorry to give you both this news, but neither one of you is responding to treatment anymore" I noticed the sorrow on everyone's face, "what about the experimentelle treatment you have me on?" my Jenny smiling and hopeful, she was till the end.

"I am afraid it's too late, it spread to far, I know it's given you some more time, but unfortunately her parents are to weak for it to work", a brave young Jenny looking after her parents says a humble "Thank you for trying, how long do my parents have, and what do we do know?", that does help me understand, "I don't know 100% but any where from 3 months to 6 for your mom, but your dad's results he could maybe have 6 months to a year if we can get him some strength back, the right pain management could make a small difference".

I whisper thank you to Jenny, that she was able to send me the memory and it made sense, she wasn't just our angel she was watching out for her earthly community, I think how I love her to heaven and back, I miss our sisterhood, I feel like she is hugging me and I wake up refreshed.

My parents have already been up and showered, packed laundry in a separate back and shifted some of things around if this Jenny will not accept breakfast or a ride so she at least has something more to eat, clothes to wear and a sleeping bag to stay warm.

She is still in a deep sleep when I have come out, I add my clothes to the laundry bag, "Where's dad?" moving things around so if she says yes we can give her space to put her leg up, and dad is trying to

see about safely packing the bike for her", I smile "you're awesome I hope she says yes, let's her heal more", she starts to stir, "I am going to see if I can help him, come down when ready" mom kisses me on the check and heads to the van, I put the couch bed back to a couch, move the coffee table back and tidy up a bit, we aren't messy but we do like to leave places better then what we found it.

"Morning Jenny, how did you sleep?" she does a big stretch, "Good, thanks, can I shower?", I grab the brand new tooth brush still its packaging and hand her it and tooth paste, "all new, we travel with extra, all yours", "thanks".

When she comes out, she doesn't look as old as she did last night, she looks relieved, refreshed even, "I'm glad they fit" she looks down and seems kid like "hand ups?, older should go down not up", I hope it was ok to laugh "pass alongs" I say, then I add "ready for breakfast?" she half smiles, she rubs her tummy and I heard it rumble, "come on, we can get to know each other more" she looks like she is thinking about it, "I don't know if I can ever pay it back", she pauses " just letting me catch up on sleep was too much, I am not worth the fuss", I find myself bold " why do you feel that way?, your hungry I can hear it rumble, your hurt and shouldn't bike right now, accept breakfast and a ride, pay it forward when you can, please?"

I think her stomach is winning the debate in her head, she looks at me and grabs her stuff, I do one more tidy of the room and take a deep breath as I think a prayer to bless the room for the next ones.