The Pray by Anna Liudva

Somebody cursed her
for wearing a too-tight skirt, but she pulled it up higher. Lisa has already used to people talking behind her back, so she just laughed and continued walking. She knew she looks
amazing: shiny red top with a glittery black skirt that complimented her dark long hair. Right in front
of the entrance to the club, Lisa reached her pocket to make her red lips even brighter. Instead of the
lipstick, she felt a piece of paper. She pulled out the paper – the phone number of some guy she doesn’t even remember. Lisa threw the piece in the trash can and went on the new date.
It was already dawn when she was returning her flat. Hangover reminded Lisa to rest a bit. Although
she reached the main entrance, she decided to sit on a bench near two old women that were looking
at her contemptuously.
“Look at her! Aren’t you tired of this life? Changing men like clothes, smoking and drinking like
crazy. You barely get some sleep!” – the woman that sat closer to Lisa spoke.
“I can ask you the same question! – the girl flipped her hair. – Every time I return, I see you in the
same place. Be careful, or I suspect that you wander somewhere else too! – she laughed, making the
women cringe”.
“The God is watching you, dear”, – the woman continued sententiously.
“How can someone who doesn’t exist watch me?” – she pretended to look for something with an evil
smile.
“Stop arguing with her. What can you teach an orphan? They are born like this”, – the older woman
calmed her friend. She also made Lisa very angry, but the girl was pretty good at hiding her emotions.
She almost said something offensive to elders but noticed the boy near the other bench. The boy was
struggling to pick something up from the ground. Lisa approached the boy and saw that his wheelchair
was too high to pick the candy. She helped him and started to go away.
“I always receive candies from doctors when I behave well”, – he made her turn around.
“Are you sick?” – she asked just to maintain the conversation but already knew the answer. The boy
was bald, and numerous marks on his veins pointed on the fact that he is on chemotherapy. He was
so weak that couldn’t even stand properly. Lisa was mad: the bastard that slapped her in the face
yesterday did drugs but still looked healthier than this boy will ever be.
“A little, but I will be healthy very soon”, – the boy smiled widely and made Lisa’s heart shutter.
“What’s your name?”
“Blake”.
Lisa met Blake almost every time she returned from another party. Now she didn’t even notice or talk
to the same old women but went straight to him with some sweets. Later she found out that Blake
goes to the hospital every morning for medical procedures. He doesn’t remember his parents, but he
loves his grandparents very much. Because of their age, they cannot bring Blake to the hospital.
Luckily, the neighbour, who is the cleaner there, gives him a ride almost every day.
Lisa didn’t feel the maternity in her heart for this boy. Something in her soul just made her feel sorry
for him. Maybe the loss of his parents affected her that way. She didn’t play with him, entertain him
or made him laugh. She just walked towards him with a toy or candy, handed it to him, spoke a little
and went to her flat. This has become a routine for her.
One day Lisa returned a bit later than she expected. The party was great, and the guy was pretty
attractive, so she decided to stay a little longer. She saw the car of the neighbour that was ready to
leave. There was no boy, though. Lisa quickly ran to the car to give the sweets. Blake must be in the
car by this moment. She was surprised to see the neighbour by himself.
“Oh, Lisa, you will not see him today. I can’t even say if you have a chance to meet him again”.
The neighbour saw the confused face of the girl and continued.
“The results of chemotherapy are getting worse. Yesterday was the last chemo, and doctors told that
they did all possible. Blake’s grandparents cannot afford more medical procedures. There is hope
only for a miracle, – the neighbour smoked a cigarette. Lisa didn’t look sad, rather disappointed. –
You know, there is a saying: if you pray for the sick person half of your life, this person will be
healthy soon”.
“What nonsense! Spend all your life for prayers! And faith doesn’t give any guarantee! – she smirked
but then became serious. – Who’s going to pray for him? He’s got no one; nobody has this much
time”.
“I don’t know. This boy with a warm heart may hope only for the help of God. Sorry, I have to go”.
– Lisa waved at him goodbye.
4 months later
“Blake! Haven’t seen you in a while! Look at you!” – the neighbour was getting into his car. He met
him a week ago and startled at his health condition.
“I’m healthy! I’m healthy!” – the boy was jumping on the same spot happily.
“We have to celebrate this then!” – the man helped Blake to get into the car. He knew Blake had a
remission and still couldn’t believe it.
“Yes! But we have to go to one place firstly”, – the boy started to wiggle his feet impatiently.
The man expected to bring Blake to any place but not the church. The boy got out of the car and ran
to the entrance screaming “Sister Maria!”.
“He got a new friend! – the man thought, smiling to himself. – Where’s Lisa, though? Haven’t seen
her in a while. She must have been on the bottom by now, judging from her style of life”.
The scream didn’t allow him to drown in his thoughts completely. He raised his head and saw Blake,
who was hugging a nun. When the woman got up from her knees, he recognised Lisa. The man started
to apologise to the sky for cursing her just now.
“Look, I’m healthy, just like you promised me!” – the boy was screaming with his high-pitched voice
while pouring out all the candies into her hands. Lisa laughed softly.
“This is not me: this is my faith in God and your determination. You know, there is a saying: if you
pray for the sick person half of your life, this person will be healthy soon”.
She kissed Blake in the forehead and thanked God one more time.