The last thing I registered before drifting off to sleep was Ms. Coraline's soft voice telling me, "Sweet dreams," then a kiss on the shoulder.
I wanted to turn and tell her I've never had a night free of nightmares, except the very rare time Ms. Duval put me to sleep.
Even now her hand on my waist gave me comfort, and her soothing voice as she sang me to sleep made warmth bloom in places that had never seen the light of day.
They remained with me even when I woke up the next morning, sunlight streaming through the open window.
Ms. Coraline was gone from my side but there was food on the table and a note taped to the side.
'Eat the food and take the medication'. It didn't state where she had gone that early in the morning.
A certain wave of sadness hit me as I crumpled the note and threw it in the bin.
