Team8s and Counting

171. Getting her Back

Barf Bag was coming home from yet another day at the hospital. She was headed upstairs, ready to crash in bed after the exhausting day. As she opened the door to her room, she was surprised to find Bladey, sitting on her bed, clearly waiting for her to come home.

"Oh- uh-, hi Bladey!" Barf Bag said in shock. "Wasn't expecting to see you here."

"Auntie Barf Bag?" Bladey asked, her eyes wide, clearly trying to hold back tears.

Barf Bag's expression softened, as she headed to her bed, sitting right down next to her. "Is everything alright, Bladey? How long have you been waiting for me to get back?"

"Ever since dinner." Bladey responded. "I wanted to ask you something important."

Barf Bag adjusted her position so she could face Bladey, giving her full attention. "Of course, sweetie. You can ask me anything. What's on your mind?"

Bladey hesitated. She looked down, her voice barely audible. "I'm worried about Thread."

Barf Bag could tell that Bladey was being genuine by the look on her face. "Why are you worried about her?"

"She didn't want the dinner Auntie Pin made, so she screamed really loud, and it looked like she was scared." Bladey took a deep breath. "Auntie Pin took her to her room. I tried to say high but she yelled at me. Something's wrong with her."

Barf Bag's heart sank, knowing that this was likely another case of one of Threads meltdowns. "It sounds like Thread was having a hard time, wasn't she?"

Bladey nodded, before continuing on. "My moms just said to leave her alone and that she will get better, but I don't want to wait, I want her to get better now! That's why I want you to help Auntie Barf Bag, you help people all the time!"

Barf Bag smiled gently at Bladey's earnestness, her heart aching at how much love and concern the young girl had for Thread. "Oh, Bladey, I wish it were that simple. I really do. But helping people, especially when they're feeling overwhelmed like Thread, doesn't always happen quickly. It takes time, patience, and understanding."

"But there must be something you can do!" Bladey exclaimed. "Isn't there some kind of medicine you can give her that can make her feel all better?"

Barf Bag shook her head. "Even with medicine, she would still need time to feel better." She then tired to think of a way to help her understand. "Like, when you have a cold, you're not running around the minute you swallow the medicine, you still need time to rest and get better."

Bladey bit her lip, her frustration still evident. "But I don't like waiting. I don't like seeing her upset, and I don't like feeling like I can't do anything."

Barf Bag pulled Bladey into a hug, her voice calm and soothing. "I know, sweetheart. It's hard to see someone you love struggling."

Bladey's arms tightened around her aunt, and she buried her face in Barf Bag's shoulder. "I just want her to know that I love her so much."

Barf Bag held Bladey close, her heart aching at the raw sincerity in her niece's voice. "She knows, Bladey," she said softly. "Even when she's upset, even when she doesn't show it, Thread knows how much you love her.

Bladey still was worried about her cousin, trying her best to hold back as many tears as she could. "Can you at least see if she's okay, I'm really worried about her."

Barf Bag faintly smiled. "I can try, but I can't promise anything, okay?"

Bladey nodded, looking down at the ground beneath her. "Okay."

Barf Bag walked down the hallway until she got to Thread's room. She didn't hear any yelling or crying coming from the room, so that was a good sign. She softly knocked on the door, hoping that she could reassure Bladey that she was a little better.