I Never Imagined ✔️

Chapter 19.5: Many Forms of Shock

"Sophia. You have to eat. Come on, eat something," Anthony pleads, as he pushes the plate of food towards me. All I do is look at it, with a face as blank as a sheet of printer paper, and shrug. My appetite is almost nothing at this point. The stress of Ray's condition is a perfect antidote to hunger at this point. 

"I don't want to, Anthony. I'm not hungry. I don't feel like eating," I tell him, pushing the plate away from me. The inviting smell of food that wafts into my nose doesn't do anything to me. I'm going to be sick if I eat the whole plate. 

"Sophia. Don't worry. He's going to be fine. He's a fighter. For sure. He won't leave you ever." When he says that, tears start to fill my eyes up again. Without making eye contact with Anthony, I wipe my eyes before they have a chance to fall. Anthony scoots over a little bit, and puts his arm around me. 

"Come here. It's okay," he attempts to assure, as I rest my head on his shoulder. A few tears slide down the side of my face, as his other hand goes and rests on my face. His fingers wipe away the tears that slowly are flowing out of my eyes. 

"I'm so scared, Anthony. I can't lose him. I don't want to lose him," I weep, as his arm tightens around my body. 

"Sophia, you'll feel better after you've eaten something. At least eat a little bit. Anthony can finish the rest," my mom says, at the entrance to the kitchen. I bring my head out of Anthony's shoulder, and look at her. 

"I don't know, Mom. I don't feel very well. Do I have to?" I ask. She nods. 

"You should. You'll definitely feel a lot better. Plus, it's primavera. One of your favorites. At least eat a little bit." Anthony pushes the plate a little bit closer to me. I sigh a little bit, and grab my fork to dig in. 

"Atta girl. Eat up." Reluctantly, I dig my fork into the pasta and I pile some on. Slowly, I eat, and true to my mom's word, I do feel a little bit better. However, the food isn't enough to fight the worry that's boiling inside of me. If there was something to help with that, I would do it immediately. 

"Sophia, do you need anything from the store?" my mom asks, as she writes down things in a notepad. 

"No. Not as of now. I'm planning on going back to the hospital later today, in the evening. I know how much Ray's family is worrying right now. I can at least be there for him," I tell my mom, and she nods. 

"You're such a good girlfriend, Sophia. Ray is so lucky to have you. I actually know how you feel. Your grandfather, at one point, got really sick, and I had to stay by his side almost 24/7. Your dad completely understood, and actually encouraged me to be with your grandfather. But, if you really need to be with Ray and check on how he's doing, then you should go. We're not stopping you." My mom scoots closer to me, while petting my shoulder a little bit. 

"Thanks, Mom. And what exactly happened that required grandpa to be that sick?"

"Now that you mention it, I don't remember. I don't remember if it was the flu or severe food poisoning. I guess that's what happens when your dad decides to cook for him." I nearly choke on my pasta, while my mom flashes me an evil grin. 

"Woah, Mom!" 

My mother just starts to chuckle a little bit, while I can't help but smile at her infectious laugh. For the first time throughout the whole day, a genuine smile spreads on my face. I really need that, considering the whole mess that Ray is in. 

"I'm just joking, sweetie. Your dad's cooking is actually really good. I think. I've been too scared to try it." 

I roll my eyes a little bit more, while the smile on my face only grows to be even more wide. My mom notices a slight bit of amusement approaching my face, and she quickly and gently pinches my cheek.