Hello, my name is anika

5. Grieving

Hi Riley! I didn't realize we took the same bus. Here, have a seat.

How are you?

I'm good.

So, actually, I was mulling it over and I decided to tell you about it. the answer.

Promise me one thing, okay? Just... keep being my friend. You're the only one I've got.

Thanks.

So... first, I was born. Then my mom died. Noone knows what happened. But my dad says... she kept saying it was hard to breathe, she was rasping, coughing. I was a few months old.

It's okay.

I grew up, and I was always very quiet and soft-spoken. Until one day. one day... my dad and I. we were arguing, about something trivial. so trivial.

I shouted, screamed.

That night, I heard coughing... then.

yes. He died.

he died and it's all my fault. Because of something I got mad at. I killed him by talking.

then... I came here and I stopped talking.

No! I can't keep talking. What if I lose my temper? What if I shout?

What if I

Yes. That would be terrible. I don't want what happened to my dad to ever happen again.

I didn't know that. that your mom died too. I'm sorry.

No. It's my fault.

Yes. We do have to keep fighting through to survive. Thank you.

See you in science.

_____________________________________

Um... if it's okay to ask... your mom... what happened?

It's okay. I don't want you to feel like you have to answer.