Page 41 of He Saved Me

Abuela’s heart-wrenching sob is heard as I rush to get to her.

“Sade, wait!” Seb cries, reaching out to me, but the officer holds him back.

“Miss!” Another officer calls out as I limp down the sidewalk, holding my stomach as if that will provide me with any comfort.

“¡Por favor, no se lo lleven! Él está enfermo.” Abuela cries out.

I stand frozen, watching the scene unfold in front of me. It’s like a reality Cops show.

Abuela was kneeling, crying, and begging the police officer to spare my brother.

What hurts the most? Watching Josiah handcuffed and escorted into the back seat of a police car.

I move so quickly to him when a young female officer holds her hands, stopping me.

“Miss, you can’t come any closer.”

“Please, he’s my brother. He doesn’t need jail,” I plead, keeping my eyes on Jo.

“Miss, he attacked one of the officers.” She explains.

I bite my lower lip from crying. I turn to face her. “He has bipolar.”

Realization sits in when her shoulder droops, and a look of compassion spreads over her face.

“We didn’t know,” she whispers, glancing at Jo.

“Can I please talk to him?”

She nods without looking at me.

Once I reach the squad car, I open the door and crouch, holding back from screaming in pain.

Jo stares straight ahead, not acknowledging my presence.

“Jo, I’m going to see what I can do to help you out of this. You don’t belong in jail.”

He doesn’t speak.

He doesn’t turn to face me.

Josiah sat silently, emotionless.

“I love you, Jo. No matter what happens, I will always love you. I will never turn my back on you. Just—” my lips trembles as I cry—"I want you to be safe. I don’t want you to di-die. I can’t lose you.Please,don’t give up.”

The pain was too much to bear. It squeezed the hell out of my lungs, making breathing difficult.

“I love you, Jo,” I whisper.

Jo hung his head and let the tears flow. “I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry.”

I throw my arms around his neck.

“I know you are,” I whisper.

“Forgive me,” he asks, holding me as if his life depended on it.

“Always.”

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