Alice had been feeling uneasy all day. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something was wrong. It was as if a storm was brewing on the horizon, and she was the only one who could see it.
She tried to distract herself with work, but she couldn’t focus. Her mind kept wandering back to her neighbour, Sarah. Sarah was a young woman who had recently gotten divorced. She had moved into the apartment next to Alice’s a few months ago, and they had quickly become friends.
At first, Sarah had been full of life and energy. But lately, she had become withdrawn and depressed. She often spent her nights crying, and she had lost a lot of weight. Alice was worried about her, but she didn’t know how to help.
That evening, Alice decided to check on Sarah. She knocked on her door, but there was no answer. She knocked again, louder this time. Still no answer.
Alice began to worry. She hesitated for a moment, then decided to use her spare key to let herself in.
She entered the apartment and found Sarah sitting on the couch. She was curled up in a ball, her face buried in her hands. She was crying.
“Sarah?” Alice said softly.
Sarah looked up at her, her eyes red and swollen. “Alice,” she said. “I’m so sorry.”
“What’s wrong?” Alice asked.
“I can’t do this anymore,” Sarah said. “I can’t keep living like this.”
Alice sat down next to her and put her arm around her. “It’s okay,” she said. “You don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.”
Sarah shook her head. “I need to talk about it,” she said. “I need to get this off my chest.”
She took a deep breath and began to tell Alice about her divorce. She told her about the constant fighting, the betrayal, the pain. She told her how she had felt so alone and helpless.
Alice listened patiently, offering comfort and support. She knew that Sarah needed to vent, and she was there for her.
When Sarah was finished talking, she looked at Alice with tears in her eyes. “Thank you for listening,” she said. “I don’t know what I would do without you.”
“You’re my friend,” Alice said. “And that’s what friends are for.”
They sat in silence for a while, just holding each other. Then, Alice stood up and said, “Come on. Let’s get you cleaned up.”
She helped Sarah to her feet and led her to the bathroom. She washed her face and helped her to brush her teeth. Then, she helped her to get into bed.
Alice pulled the covers up around her and tucked her in. “Get some rest,” she said. “I’ll be here when you wake up.”
Sarah nodded and closed her eyes. Alice kissed her on the forehead and then turned and left the room.
She went back to her own apartment and sat down on the couch. She thought about Sarah and all that she had been through. She felt a pang of sadness in her heart.
But she also felt a sense of determination. She was going to help Sarah through this. She was going to be there for her, every step of the way.
The next morning, Alice woke up early and made breakfast. She then took it over to Sarah’s apartment.
She knocked on the door, and Sarah answered a few moments later. She was still in her pajamas, but she looked much better than she had the night before.
“Hi,” Alice said. “I brought you breakfast.”
“Oh, thank you,” Sarah said. “You’re so sweet.”
Alice came in and sat down at the kitchen table with Sarah. They ate breakfast and talked. Alice told Sarah about her day, and Sarah told Alice about her plans for the future.
Alice could tell that Sarah was starting to feel better. She was smiling and laughing, and she was even making jokes.
After breakfast, Alice helped Sarah to clean up the apartment. Then, she sat down with her again and they talked for a while longer.
“Thank you for everything, Alice,” Sarah said. “I don’t know what I would have done without you.”
“You’re welcome,” Alice said. “That’s what friends are for.”
She stood up and gave Sarah a hug. “I’ll see you later,” she said.
Alice went back to her own apartment and felt a sense of satisfaction. She knew that she had made a difference in Sarah’s life. She was determined to continue to be there for her, no matter what.
