My eyes flicker when I see those white wooden bars. Tears flooding my eyes, I am shouting for help. Before I can comprehend my fears, your arms are reaching out for me. I kick my legs and scream, as the salt rolls down my cheeks. I hear a sound, _thump, thump, thump. _The air get warm. I feel an embrace on my cheek. My heart rate slows. I can feel the world getting heavier. I close my eyes, but there is a shift. You are walking away and those bars are back again. Why are you leaving me? Will you ever return? I feel the sting in my eyes again, my chest knocking against its cage. I hear the calm again, _shhhh _it says, _shhhh I am right here_. Oh her voice, how it relaxes me. I am better now.

I open my eyes again, into this new world. Full of lights and colors. New sounds and scents, and so much to learn. I am parked by something. Long and green. Maybe some yellow too. Objects moving in the air, and the rush of water near. But I feel my eyes getting heavy. But I want to see! I fight. I must continue to memorize what’s around me. If I close my eyes again, it’ll be just a dream. But I am pretty tired. I must wake up, I kick and scream to keep myself from caving. But I hear that sound again, _thump, thump, thump. Shhhh I am right here_.

Almost as if I time traveled, my eyes stare at those wooden bars again. Except you were there. Waiting for me. My face stretches into happiness. As long as you are here, mama.