I hurried to pack my bag as quickly as I could. I remembered everything: my toothbrush, nightgown, underwear and clothes for the next day and I couldn't forget a Barbie or My Little Pony (the newest one that I wanted to show off). Of course nothing would compare to the collection Aimee had, but none of that mattered. It was a brief escape from my life on Yale Avenue and all I wanted to do was play. My bag was always packed in secret, hidden in the car or disguised as a backpack filled with homework. Looking back, I'm sure my parents always knew but I appreciate them humoring a young girl with secret plans of grand adventures. Anytime I heard we would be making the drive to Provo, UT to visit my cousins this was the ritual. You see, Aimee and I were kindred spirits. We came into this word exactly five days apart. Her Mom was leaving the hospital just when mine was getting there. I didn't seem to matter that we seldom saw each other. When we were together we were the best of friends.
I drive was only around 45 minutes long, but to me it always seemed like an eternity. The car would pull up into the driveway and I would rush through the garage entrance to find my friend. Since every event at my cousin's house was a big family event there were always lots of kids rushing around the yard and through the house. The yard sat on a tall hill and was tiered with several levels. On each level we all seemed to find more and more adventures. The house was enormous, with so many hallways and bedrooms. I always seemed to get lost. There was a large playroom in the basement that seemed to be the central meeting spot for all of us. This was the pinnacle of all playrooms decked out with all the latest Atari video games, and you can be sure the air hockey table was always the biggest draw. I shared my time with all the other cousins and friends and quietly plotted my scheme. I had to wait for just the right time when my parents and my aunt and uncle were all together and we were just about to leave. Then I would hit them up with, "Since I never really get to see Aimee, would it be okay if maybe we have a sleepover sometime? Like...maybe tonight? You could maybe just come back and get me tomorrow?" This was always followed with, "but, what will you sleep in?" and "you don't have any of your...". Before they could even finish the sentence I was out to the car in a flash and back with my carefully packed little blue overnight suitcase.
I don't even remember how many times I pulled this little stunt. But it always worked and I always got to stay.
After everyone had left, including my family, it was just me and Aimee. We would have wonderful adventures. We played in her bedroom that reminded me of a fairy princess wonderland and she always took me to her own special play room. Her play room was like nothing I could have ever imagined. She had toys I never dreamed of having. So many things it seemed to me they were stacked to the ceiling and we had to dig sometimes to find what we were looking for. We always did special things like make no-bake cookies and roll them into letters or animals or unidentifiable blobs and then laugh hysterically.
I cherished these moments. Everything we did together was fun. That's how I thought of Aimee. Even as we grew older and we stopped having sleep over parties, I still regarded her as the one person in my life that really showed me how to play and have fun. I keep a special place in my heart for her, always.
Yesterday, I found out that Aimee is very sick. In fact she's dying, suffering from an eating disorder that has plagued her life since high school. Despite all the advice she receives from doctors and counselors she continues to damage her body. Due to the lack of necessary nutrients, her white blood cell count is progressively deteriorating. She will undergo treatments, similar to those cancer patients receive in hopes that her body will heal itself enough to slow the process, but it's not expected to happen. Eventually, her organs will fail and her body will shut down.
I haven't seen Aimee for years now and I don't know if she even remembers my visits the same way. But, I do love her and right now I would do anything to see her with that same vibrant glow that is permanently burned into my memory.
I love you Aimee and with all my faith you are in my prayers.
With Love,
Your Cousin Rochelle
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