Ethan Corstolla-Klein We all woke up to Madeleine crying out. She was gasping for air, and sputtering something in Spanish. "Maddy? What's wrong? Are you alright?" I said, Grace flanking me. "The dream! I had--I had it again! I had it again! I tried to follow the bird, but it wasn't there this time, Ethan. It wasn't there!" She was crying now, her whole body shaking. "Shhh, it's okay love. You're here now, you're here." Grace said, caressing her. "No, no. No. No, I looked for the bird. I looked for the bird." She was mumbling, her knees tucked close to her chest. I got up and walked to the kitchen, rummaging through the cupboards. "Ba! Where are Maddy's meds?" I shouted, Ba was already walking downstairs and into the living room. "She had the dream again?" He asked. "Yes, Ba. But we need her meds." I said calmly, I didn't want to cause any more distress. Leo got up and kneeled in front of Madeleine, "It's okay, Maddy. Ethan's getting your medicine." He rubbed her leg, gently. Madeleine was still mumbling her Spanish nonsense. I came over with a cup of water and three pills. I held Madeleine's head and gently tilted it back, hushing her, dropping the pills in her mouth, and pouring the water gingerly down her throat. I saw her swallow, but after she started having a fit of coughs and gags. "It tastes bad, Eth'!" She said in between coughs. "I know, cariño, I know. But it helps." I sat next to her, holding her close to me. Her whole body shook, her breathing ragged and shallow. "The bird, the bird. It wasn't there." She mumbled. "It's okay, you're here. You're right here, and that's what matters." "It is? She said looking up. "Yes, Maddy," I strung my fingers through her long soft hair. "As long as you are here, everything will be okay."
