It had been five weeks since I stood up for Oliver. Five weeks since I had been battered and bruised by Brayden Carter. Brayden (who had had a four-week suspension), was now back to school quieter than ever. He had even come up to me and asked me for my forgiveness! Forgiveness! I was astounded. And to add to my surprise, he even asked apologized to Oliver for his acrimony! Brayden Carter had certainly changed. But enough about that. I'm here to tell you what happened on the steps next to the school, five weeks after I stood up for Oliver Allen.

The bell had rung, as it signalled the end of the day. I had already gathered my things and was outside, heading down the steps that lead up to the school.

"Excuse me! Excuse me! I'm sorry!" I heard a voice hurriedly say. I turned and saw a middle-aged woman running in the direction left of me, bumping into students along the way. "I'm sorry." she repeated. She finally stopped her walking, muttering to herself. She then quickly spun around and grabbed the arm of a passing student. She said something to the student, and in a reply, the student pointed at me and said a few words. The lady presumably thanked the student. As she started her coming over to me, I walked toward her to save her from knocking into more students. 

"Excuse me," she began. "Are you the girl who helped Oliver?"

"Yes." I replied. "Ms, do you need me for something?"

"Actually, no. I wanted to thank you."

"Thank me? For what?" I asked, puzzled. "If it's about Oliver, I only helped him to the nurse's office."

"You may not have realized this, but I believe you saved his life."

"Saved his life?!" I gasped. "He wasn't that hurt!"

"Well..." she trailed off. "First, you should know I am Oliver's mother." she paused to look at me, and I motioned for her to go on. "Several months ago, I noticed when Oliver came home from, he wasn't as cheerful as he normally was. I asked him if there was anything wrong, and he gave me a firm 'no'. The next day his attitude was as the day before. I asked him if there was anything wrong again, and received an answer no different than yesterday. This went on for many months.

"But two months ago, I noticed a gun missing from the collection my husband uses for hunting. The one missing was the smallest, but don't ask me what kind it was, since I know nothing about guns.

"Around one week after the gun went absent, I walked into Oliver's room, intending to collect his laundry, and found him lifting the missing gun to his forehead! I was shocked, and let out a small yelp. He took notice of me, and quickly lowered the gun. 'Oliver...' I trailed of, realizing what he would have done if I had not walked in.

'Mom, I have to do this.' he told me. I refused to let him. I begged him not to. He finally relented, though I could see from his eyes I had only delayed the terrible deed. I then took the gun and left the room. Later that night, I made sure to lock the gun cabinet tightly, and hid the key in a safe place.

"Weeks later, he came home looking chipper and light hearted, like his usual self. I asked him if there was something he wanted to tell me, and he promptly sat down and began telling all about you, and Brayden Carter. And that's when I realized he would not go and commit suicide. Because of you." She looked at me right in the eye. "You saved him. You really saved him." she finished, in tears.

I was speechless. I had no idea Oliver was going through such a hard time.

"Mrs. Allen," I said. "Please don't cry. I'm happy I saved your son. He's here, and well, and that's what matters, right?" She nodded, recovering from her tears.

"I best be going now." she said. "I have to find Oliver. Thank you again!" she called to me, and hurried off into the crowd.