Erica has been my best friend for years. We met in freshman year of High School, and were as opposite as two people could be at first glance. Blonde and quiet, shy and reserved, I came to school every Tuesday in my Smith Prep Polo, did my work, and went home. Erica had fiery red hair and a personality to match. Always the first one to speak up in class, Erica never said no to a chance to talk in front of the class, debate, or just in general share her views. She played football while I sat in the field at break, wore colorful scarves in her thick hair, and was surrounded by a group of close friends.
Erica completely intimidated me!
I consider our first official "meeting" to be the last day of class that school year. It was almost time to leave for the bowling party, and we were all talking about our summer plans. Erica brought up something anime-related and I burst out, "I love Anime!" I remember her smiling from across the room even if I don't remember the rest of the conversation anymore. More than anything, though, I remember Erica mentioning our Bible and World History Teacher Mr. Phillips' summer camp, VSO, that she and her close friends were going to for the second time this year. We didn't have much time to talk because we were all loading into the vans just then, but Erica sat with me on the way, stating something along the lines of, "I haven't talked to you yet, so I guess now's a good time to start!"
The rest is ancient history. Erica and I hit it off, I came out of my shell, we went to VSO together, I met Joshua, and we all lived happily ever after.
Fast forward 4 years - I am now in town and visiting for the summer. I find myself at Erica's Saturday evening, sighing after a long day of work and helping myself to some cucumbers and grilled portabello mushrooms. Erica and her mom are pulling more food out of the fridge for me as a substitute to tonight's meal of sausage and spaghetti. I haven't eaten much all day except eggs in the morning, a slice of pizza at a party, and then a hurried meal of popcorn and a popsicle (sugar free) at home before heading back to Erica's. I bolused for the popcorn and popsicle, just not for the pizza... I'd had NO time! My blood sugar was high - somewhere around the 290 range, so I bolused a correction and then debated a little while before bolusing a little more for the vegetables. I ended up staying up late with Erica - 2 am - and checked my blood sugar on a whim before bed, checking in at the 90's. A little low, and normally I wouldn't have gone to bed that low, but I figured it was late and the night would be over soon anyways. I'd be fine. I drifted off to sleep in my comfy bed, dreaming strange dreams and resting up before church in the morning.
I checked the phone and it was 5 AM, and I was wide awake. Every fiber and nerve in my body stood on edge, but that didn't transfer to my limbs - they felt like Jello as I mechanically slid out of bed. I was low, it was dark, my surroundings were unfamiliar to me and I was scared. I pushed open the door and stumbled down the hall to the kitchen, desperately trying to not make noise as I look for something to eat. But Erica's family was the most healthy I knew! My mind was fuddled and though I looked through the fridge, I saw only vegetables, cheeses and other healthy (but non-carby) things to eat. I stumbled to the pantry. Spices...teas...nothing useful to me now. I was getting desperate - my body was shaking, I felt as if I'd pass out right there on the floor if I didn't get carbs NOW. In a last attempt I looked to the island, found a big peach in the basket, and grabbed it, collapsing into a chair and eating the peach to soothe my shaking limbs and frazzled nerves. Finally I felt better, but the experience was not one I wanted to repeat... battling lows at night is hard, but especially when you're not in your usual surroundings.
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