Purple Roses

Purple roses

INSPIRED BY THE MOVIE "THE MAN IN THE MOON"

Chapter 1

I was in my bedroom, listening to Shawn Mendez, with m air conditioner up high, because of the Florida summer heat. I had the music on my low plugged in to my new speaker I received on the last day of school. My older sister Nellie came in with foam curlers in her strawberry blonde hair and with her lavender robe on. The song ended. "I love Shawn Mendez....." "You love a lot of people Josie." "That's not true! You make me feel like a little kid." "Cause you are a little kid." "Am not! I am 14 years old, in my opinion I am not a little kid!" She gave me a stern look. "I wish I was like you" I said complaining. "Really? Why is that?" "You're a straight A student, your beautiful, and everyone loves you. And I'm lame." "You're not lame, you just have your differences and I have mine." I sighed and glanced over at the purple roses in a bright yellow vase on Nellies night stand. "Remember, when mama and papa said, if a boy gives you purple roses that means he really loves you..." "Yes. But now every time I look at Michael I feel like I wanna throw up." I giggled. "Then why do you still date him?" "You wouldn't understand Josie. Can we just go to bed now? I'm really tired. "She turned off the lamp and we went to sleep.

"Rise and shine you sleepyhead!" I rose up out of bed, sniffing the mouthwatering scent of eggs, bacon, blueberry pancakes and mama's famous banana bread. I walked down stairs and grabbed the carton of orange juice just drinking straight out of it, not even bothering to pour it in a mason jar like mom wanted me to do. "Josie you need to get dressed right now we are goin' to church." "I DON'T WANNA GO TO CHURCH!" "Don't shout it isn't lady like! Now go upstairs wash your face and put on a dress." "UGGHH!" I shouted ignoring mom's comment.

We got out of church walking to our car as I was getting in Michael came up and smiled. "Hey ya Josie I didn't even recognize ya with a dress on." I glared at him, then he went up near the driver's seat, to see Nellie. "So I'm picking you up at three thirty this afternoon right?" "Yeah, I'll see ya then" she said in a settle tone. "Ok then. Bye ya'll." He said walking away. Nellie drove off a bit faster than usual glad to get away from Micheal. We soon reached the house. I raced out of the car and inside putting on my simply southern tee shirt, tan shorts and my red keds than ran down to the river as fast as I could feeling free as ever. As soon as I got there I pulled of my tee shirt and shorts and slipped of my shoes and jumped off the dock and in to the cool river completely naked. I swam in the blueish brownish water as it washed of the sweat from my face. I took the ponytail holder out of my brown hair and swam towards a rock and relaxed in the nature god was providing me. As I was relaxing I heard someone else jump in. I swam towards the dock hoping it was Nellie. Then as I got a closer look, it was some boy. He was tan, he had short mousy brown hair and big muscles. "GET OUT OF HERE!" I screamed. He looked frightened and whipped his head around. "NO, YOU GET OUT!" he yelled back. "This is the Jones's property, you don't live here so your'e tresspassin'!" he stared at me probably thinking how a so much can come out of a small girl like me. "THAT'S BULL SHIT! NOW YOU BETTER LEAVE RIGHT NOW OR BY THE TIME I GET TO THREE I'LL CARRY YOUR ASS OUT!" "Your lyin!" "ONE,TWO,THREE!" He headed towards me roughly. "OKAY FINE I'M GOIN'" He stopped and looked at me expecting for me to go. "But, first turn around and close your eyes." He just stared at me. "DO IT NOW YOU DICK FACE!" He widened his eyes and turned around. I slowly got out. I looked back at him and he quickly turned his head around as if he were looking at me. I covered my boobs and climbed the ladder then hid behind the bushes. I looked back at him through the shrubs and saw him looking at me. "Why are you hiding back there? You don't really have much to hide!" I glared at him then I pulled on my shirt and shorts and Keds then ran away back home angry as hell.

Chapter 2

I ran in to my room and listened to Shawn Mendez till I felt better. I smiled looking at the Shawn Mendez posters on the wall on my side of the room. Then Josie came in the room with her hair down and in big curls. "I hope I wasn't inturuptin' anything" she said grinning. I glared back and yelled "I hope you enjoyed hoggin' up the bathroom!" I stormed in shutting the door. I got in a white V neck t-shirt and a light blue skirt. Then I French braided my hair at the side then tied all of it up in a ponytail and a blue ribbon. I put on my white sailor shoes, then went down stairs. Mama was down there in an orange skirt and royal blue top to represent the Gators. She was taking out a batch of vanilla cupcakes out of the oven. Then she frosted them in chocolate frosting she bought from Publix. I watched the frosting melt a little as she put it on. Then she noticed me standing there. "Hi sweetie." She said as she put the cupcakes in there case next to the potato salad. "Mama, do I really have to wear a damn skirt?" "Yes, you do have to wear a skirt. And watch your language or I will have to wash your mouth out with soap like we did in the olden days." I sighed. "Who are these people anyways?" "They are friends of your dad's, and they are movin' in next door." I moaned and went outside with dad, then a few minutes later Nellie came out in a strapless red long dress with a split leg, heels, red lipstick, and a golden hairclip in her hair. She smiled as she walked down the steps on our front porch. Even though she was smiling papa was not. "You put on a coat with that jacket or your'e not goin' anywhere." "But papa!" "No buts! Now..." he trailed off. A grey car pulled up that Micheal was driving. He hoped out. "Good afternoon sir" he said to papa. Papa frowned once more. "You better have her back at ten thirty sharp, and take good care of her too ya hear!" "Yes sir" Micheal said looking down. He took Nellie's hand and opened the car door motioning her to go in the car. She hopped in and buckled up. As they drove away mama said "Ya'll have fun!"

Mama then told me to set up the food on the plastic pic-nic table. I did as I was told still staring at the cupcakes. Then mama and papa came out sitting at the table waiting for the new family to arrive. I took a potato chip out of one of the bowls then wiping the remains of the chip in my skirt. Just then a red dodge car came rolling in our dirt driveway. A crazed looking lady with short blonde hopped out of the car right when it stopped moving. She looked almost as if she were car sick. She was pail and her face covered in sweat. "Ya'll have some crazy bumpy road down there she said frightened. My mama grinned. "You haven't changed a bit since I last saw ya" she hugged the lady. Then the lady hugged my papa. Then she saw me and said "Oh my god, she has grown so much since I seen her last. She hugged me, but I didn't hug her back, because I had no idea who she was. After she hugged me she looked at the car and said under her breath "What in the world is that boy doin'?" "Jack! Come out here so everyone can see ya!" He got out of the car closing the door. I widened my eyes and gasped. It was the same exact boy from the river. He was dressed in a blue t-shirt, jeans and sneakers with his hair spiked a little at the front. I frowned and shook my head slowly in disgust. "Ya'll know Jack don't ya?" We all nodded. Jack youv'e met Josie right?" "Sorta" he said even though he already knew me. "Well, I'm glad ya'll remember each other" she said wiping the sweat of her for head with her arm still looking sick. "Let's get you some water" said mama. The three of them walked off leaving Jack and I behind. He looked at me in disbelief. Then I gave him the, what are you looking at? Kind of look. Then I walked away.

Chapter 3

Mama and the lady sat down at the pic-nic chatting while I prepared the mashed potatoes on one of our grills. I listened to their conversation. "Once again we are so sorry to hear about George." "Yeah, I knew he was gonna die workin on air conditioning with heart problems" she said drinking her mason jar of water. They paused within their conversation then it got awkward so I said "Mama, we are out of potata's" "Ok. PHILL! WE ARE OUT OF POTATAS! CAN YOU GO IN TO TOWN TO GET SOME MORE!?!" "I will go with ya papa!" I said putting on my shoes. Then he said "Jack can ya go into town for me? Josie can show you the way there." "Yes sir" he said taking the keys. I clenched my fists and got up then walked over to the car. "You know you don't have to come along. I can get the potatas myself." "I'm comin, you need my help cause your knowledge of knowin this town is as dumb as a cows butt." He looked at me but, this time he didn't act so surprised. "A little girl like you shouldn't talk that dirty language." "I'm not a little girl! I am fourteen years old you would know that if you were smart enough! And also you aint much older, your only like fifteen!" "Sixteen" he said I a stressed sort of tone. I got in the car and slammed the door. He started driving down our bumpy trail. As we were driving I glanced at him, and he glanced at me. I gave him an annoyed look and took out a icebreaker cinnamon mint and put it in my mouth. He looked at me and smiled with an evil grin. He sped up the car driving around a car. Then another car came straight towards us I widened my eyes and held on to the edge of the seat. He drove right past it and the other car stopped so we could get around it. I looked at him and smiled. I suddenly liked this boy, because he was adventurous and wild... like me. We got to the parking lot of the mini market, and I quickly hopped out. I leaned against the door waiting for him to get out. He got out and I catched up to him then gave him one of my cinnamon mints. "Thanks!" he said smiling. "I'm glad you let me speed up the car, your adventurous. I like that." He said grinning. I smiled back and we went into the store together.

Chapter 4

After they left our little get together, I went up to my room humming "Stiches" by Shawn Mendez and got out my pajamas with ice cream cones on them. I went to shower washing my hair with my favorite wild cherry shampoo. I day dreamed over him. I couldn't wait to tell Nellie. Then I dropped the thought of Jack and then worried over Nellie because it was ten o clock. I finished showering and got in bed still worried over her. I closed my eyes with my mind flowing with all sorts of thoughts, then I finally fell asleep.

I woke up and looked around the room and saw Nellie in a deep sleep, still in her dress and makeup. I nudged her and she moaned. She slowly opened up her eyes. "Hi Nellie, did you have a nice time last night?" "We shall never speak of it. Ya hear?" I nodded because I have never seen her in such a bad mood. She got out of bed and went into the shower. I gave her some time alone. I got dressed, then took down my Shawn Mendez posters. I washed the dishes, vaccumed the floor then I washed the clothes. I ate lunch once my chores were done then I got in my orange bikini and slipped a t-shirt and some shorts over it then ran off to the river. Once I got there Jack was jumping off the high dock into the river. I watched him smiling. Then I went up to the top of the dock and looked down. "Hey" I said smiling. "Hey kid! Come on in!" I looked around thinking for a moment. "Are ya gonna jump or stand there all day?" "Why don't ya come up here and jump off with me." "Okay" he said smiling. I took off my shirt and shorts and waited for him to come up. "Oh, so you do own a bathing suit." He said. I grinned and stepped on the high dock. I reached for his hand. He held it and he said we should jump on a count of three. You ready" "yeah" I said. "ONE TWO THREE!" we jumped off the dock and into the water. I swam to the surface and he was holding me around my waist when I reached the surface. I started laughing. "That was fun!" "Yeah" he said. He let go of me and looked at me. "Look, I'm sorry I said all of those things the other day" I looked away then said "me too. I was just a little insecure." "Friends?" I asked. He smiled. "Friends"

Chapter 5

Papa was putting on a bon fir in our little outdoor stone fire pit. I was washing the rounded wooden sticks. Nellie was mixing up the dough and pounding it and mama was getting out the honey from inside. I dried the sticks and wrapped some fresh dough around it, then roasted it over the fire. Once it was done mama squirted some honey in the hole, I ate it in pleasure. "Mama, I made my dough boy, can I please run over next door to see how Jack is doin?" "Yes dear" mama said in annoyance. "Who's Jack?" said Nellie smiling." "It's none of your business" I said running off. I reached his house and he had a muscle shirt on, and was mowing his lawn with a huge lawn mower almost the size of a tractor. "What ya doin?" I asked as he turned off the mower. He smiled. "Mowin the lawn" He said wiping the sweat of his forhead. "Sure is hot, now is it?" I asked in glee. "Yeah" he said gulping down water. "Perfect day to go for a swim" I said hoping he would agree. "Yeah, but I got tons of work to do, maybe another time" he said in a stressful tone. I frowned, but then smiled again. "How about tonight?" He grinned. "Really what would your folks say?" "They wouldn't care..." "Cool, meet me tonight at the dock." I smiled once more and skipped off, while he ran the mower again.

It was nine o'clock at night, and I've never felt more awake. I changed into my pink bikini with flowers on it, a white cover up dress with rips at the sides, and slipped on my aqua flip flops. I snuk out of the house and I gently closed the door and ran off using the moon light to guide me. I got to the doc, and I slipped off my cover up and flip flops then went up to the doc looking for Jack. I decided he was late so I jumed in anyways. Then as I swam to the top he popped up out of the water and scared me half to death. "You scared me!" I yelled still shivering in fright. He cracked up. "That was the point!" I turned my head around still mad at him. "Look, I'm sorry that I scared you." I grinned and swam up and attacked him. We laughed and played. Then it all stopped. He was grabbing me on the hips, Then he stared into my eyes, and I stared into his. We leaned over towards each other. We were about to kiss, but then he pushed me away quickly and roughly. "What's the matter?" I asked. He quickly swam up out of the water putting on his shoes. I swam up to the edge of the dock. "Well?" I asked. "You're a little kid!" "I am not a little kid!" I yelled not letting him finish his sentence. "Yes you are! You're a little kid and you don't know what you're doin'!" he yelled as he stormed off the dock. I slowly frowned and wiped a tear away. Suddenly I heard thunder. I looked up and there was a huge gray cloud covering the stars. I got out of the water quickly and slipped on my cover up and flip flops. I ran as fast as I could towards the house, but the flip flops were slowing me down. I was a mile away from the house. Then I heard a yell. "JOSIE!!!" I reconized that the voice was mama's. "MAMA!!!" "JOSIE!!!!!" "I'M COMIN MAMA!" I yelled. The wind started blowing really hard. I saw mama from afar. Suddenly I didn't see her, then I heard a loud thud. I reached the house and saw her laying on the ground. "Mama?" I got a closer look at her and she had blood dripping down her leg, and it was purple too. "MAMAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Papa came out and saw mama on the ground. "Gia!" he yelled. He picked her up and put her in the car quickly. "Where have you been?!?!" I looked down at my shoes. "GET IN THE HOUSE!" I ran off, and I stood at the door way. I heard him say to Nellie he was taking mama to the hospital. I ran upstairs and got into my pajamas. I dived in bed and pretended to sleep when Nellie reached the room. I silently cried at all the things that had happened with Jack, Mama and Papa.

Chapter 6

I woke up, and rubbed my eyes then went down stairs. I made myself a bowl of frosted flakes. Then papa came through the door slamming it. He came into the kitchen. "Hi papa." He looked at me. "Where were you? And I want a real answer this time." I felt a rush of worry suddenly flow through my body. "Swimmin with Jack..." I said quietly. He stared at me and clenched his fist. "Get down on the ground." "I don't wanna" "GET DOWN ON THE GROUND JOSIE!" "No..." he walked towards me grabbed me violently and spanked me hard five times. "NO! STOP PAPA PLEASE!" He stopped and walked away in anger. I cried and ran to the bathroom then slammed the door. I stayed in there and cried until I heard a soft knock on the door. I didn't answer it. "Hey, it's Nellie..." I still didn't answer. Papa wanted me to tell you that he is headed to the hospital, and that he left a list of chores for you to do as your punishment." I silently groaned. I heard her walk away. I looked in the mirror at my swollen red lips and blood shot eyes from all the crying. It was something even makeup couldn't fix.

After I had finished my chores I sat on the porch looking at the country view. Then I saw a shadow in the distance. It got closer. Then it wasn't a shadow anymore. It was Jack. He came up to the porch with an edible arrangement basket. He saw me and asked "Is anyone else here?" "No, just me." He handed the basket to me. "We got this for your mom." I looked at him. "I'm sorry about that..." he said looking down than looking at me with his beautiful greenish brown eyes. I walked away because I had gotten in trouble and he didn't even kiss me. He followed. "Ya wanna go for a swim this afternoon?" I looked at him and he looked at me. "Yeah, but only for a few minutes I don't wanna get in trouble again." He grinned. "Trust me it will be worth it." He walked off and I breathed in the sweet smell of love, as well as fruit. I took a white chocolate strawberry off one of the sticks and stuck the whole thing on my mouth. I chewed until it was all gone then I went and got in my new yellow bikini and ran off to the pond.

Once I got there I sat on the dock and waited until he came. When he did he greeted me with a smile and sat down next to me. "Sup" I said. He smiled again and said sup back. We paused. "Once again I'm so sorry about your mom, I know you wanted to hang out and have fun and I was a jerk to you." "Yeah, I guess I expected too much, but now that I know we are friends, and I just wanna know more about ya." He looked at me. "What do ya wanna know?" I paused and asked "What are your hopes?" he froze for a minute. "My hopes...." I looked at him expecting an answer. "I hope your boobs will get bigger and your butt will get smaller. I gasped and playfully punched him on his arm. We laughed for a few minutes but then everything around us just froze. "Jack?" "Yeah." "I want you to be the first boy I will ever kiss." He froze. "You know how to do it?" I myself froze. "Yes." He leaned in and I leaned in as well. We kissed for a long time. I felt like nothing else mattered. I was so in love that I couldn't stop. He leaned back slowly. "How was that?" I sighed dreamily. "Perfect." We sat together than went swimming like he promised. After that I went home and showered than watched romantic movies all night. After that I went to bed feeling more loved than ever.

Chapter 7

The next morning dad was back from the hospital, and we had a talk about never to sneak out again. Definitely to go see a boy. After I ate my frosted flakes I read a book until it was time to get ready for my date with Jack. When it was time I looked in my closet for a nice dress to wear. I found a dark purple spaghetti strap mini dress, and some black converses. Even though mama said to always wear heels with a dress, we were planning to walk on the secret path behind the woods that led to town then we were planning to go out to eat, so lots of walking was involved. I went in to the bathroom and curled my straight/wavy hair. I put on lip gloss that lasted five hours so we could kiss a little more. I was glad papa knew about my date so I wouldn't get in trouble. I went in to the kitchen and had some cheese and crackers, then put in a breath mint just to be sure. I waited for a few minutes then I suddenly heard the doorbell ring. I went to go answer it but then my dad beat me there. He opened the door and greeted Jack then told him the rules. After he was done I came out and he wore a blue plaid shirt, jeans and sneakers with his hair done just the way I liked it. "Y'all have now" my dad said smiling. "Oh, and before y'all do your thing Nellie will be home any minute with the groceries." "Alright." I said to eager to go on my first date. Papa walked to the car and drove off. We started walking. He reached out for my hand, and I held it. It felt warm and kind of dry. But as we barely got to the path Nellie showed up and got out of the car. Of course it got Jack's attention as well as mine. He let go of my hand, the stared at her like she was the prettiest girl in the world. He walked over to check out what was going on. I followed. Then out of the blue he said "Hi." Nellie whipped her head around and said hi back. "I'm Jack." "Nellie." She said with pleasure. At first Nellie looked at me with the weird face she does when she sees boys I like, but then she looked at him more and started to look at him too like she was in love. "May I help you with that." "Sure" She said. He took some bags in his muscly arms. He followed her inside as she chatted with him. I stood there alone and angry. I clenched my fists and went inside. They were In the kitchen putting things away. I gave her a serious angry look. "Oh, y'all can go back to doin' what you were doin'. "Yeah. Let's go Jack" I said walking out expecting him to follow. Then I heard him say "I think I'll stay here for a while." "Really?" me and Nellie said at the same time. "Yeah" he said smiling a little. "Okay that sounds great! I can cook somethin to at and you can stay over for dinner." "Okay" he said blushing. "You can have dinner with us if you want." Nellie said looking at me. I frowned but stayed anyways knowing our date was off. Nellie cooked a baked mac 'n cheese casserole, grilled chicken and a peach cobbler for dessert. After she finished cooking and talking with Jack we all sat down to eat as they talked some more. It was getting dark. After we were done Jack got up from the table and walked outside with Nellie. I tagged along feeling like a third wheel, they stopped when they got to the porch. "Well thank you so much for the dinner." He said. "Your welcome, and it was a pleasure meeting you." "Yeah nice to meet you too. I never knew Josie had a sister" He said as he walked off. "Well, night Nellie." He started to walk then he turned around quickly knowing he was forgetting something. "Night kid!" he said getting one more glance at Nellie. He walked off and back to his house. Nellie watched as he walked away. She then went inside leaving me behind. I stood there with my mouth kind of open in disbelief. I turned around slowly and went inside. I was angry and sad at the same time. I thought how could Nellie do that to me? She knew I liked him and she knew I was going on a date! And he never really said a word to me! And worst of all I never got another kiss! I stormed inside. I took a shower and angrily went to bed not saying a word to Nellie the whole rest of the night.

Chapter 8

The next day I went to the hospital to see mama, I was glad because I wouldn't have to see Nellie. I wore a black and white plaid shirt, burgundy leggings and my black heeled boots. I looked at my long hair and put it in a fishtail braid. I walked out. Nellie stood outside the bathroom with a dreamy gaze in her eyes. She wore a sky blue peasant top and shorty shorts with her wavy hair in a high ponytail. She was on the phone with Jack. I remembered them exchanging numbers last night which made me mad because I was the only kid my age who doesn't have a phone. She giggled and said "Alrighty then, see ya soon!" she hung up I guess she hadn't noticed me standing at the door because she jumped a little when she saw me there crossing my arms. "Good god Josie! You scared the shit out of me!" I responded by giving her an evil grin. "Who was that?" I asked even though I already knew. "It's none of your business." I frowned. "Papa wants you down stairs for you to see mama" she said. I ignored her and went down stairs and hoped in the car, then we drove away farther and farther away from Nellie.

After I came home from the hospital it was four o'clock in the afternoon. I rushed inside. "Hey, can you look for Nellie? I know your mad but, I have some things to do around the house for when your mother comes home later today, so I wanna make sure she's okay." I rolled my eyes and went upstairs to look for her. "Nellie!" I yelled she was not in the bathroom or in the bedroom. I looked all over the house and she was still nowhere to be found. I went outside and looked she was not around the fire pit or anything. I sat down in one of our camping chairs and sighed. I pretty much gave up. She was nowhere to be found. I waited for ten minutes then from a distance I saw her sky blue top. She came up around the fire pit not noticing me again. She was smiling. Her cherry red lipstick was shining and her high ponytail bouncing. I frowned knowing something weird was going on. She finally noticed me sitting but, now slowly rising. "Oh your back! How's mama?" I ignored her again running off with tears in my eyes. I ran superfast but my boots slowed me down so I slipped them off and threw them as far as I could. I ran barefoot all the way to his house. I stopped a minute to catch my breath. Then I walked around looking for jack. I saw his car was gone. I went up to the door on his house. I knocked, and his mom answered. "Hi sweetie! How can I help ya?" "Hi, I'm lookin for jack." "Oh, sorry sweetie he went off to the super market. He'll be back in a jiffy. You are welcome to come inside and wait for him if ya like." "Uhh, no thanks, but I appreciate the offer." "Your we.." she trailed off. CRASH!!!!!! BANG!!!!!! I whipped my head around and looked down the path. There was a cloud of black smoke coming towards the house. We both ran to check out the incident. When we reached our destination we saw Jacks car crushed into the huge oak tree. His mom ran up and peered into the window and saw him lying there with a huge bloody scratch on his head and a few small ones all on his face. His mom opened the car door unbuckled him and dragged him out of the car. She quickly looked up at me. "GO AWAY JOSIE! GO AWAY!!!" she said crying. I ran away as fast as I could. "PAPA!!!!! I screamed. I ran inside and papa caught me in his arms. "What is it!!!!!" All I could say was "The car, Jack, blood, HELP!" He quickly let go of me and ran outside to the car and drove off Jacks way. I cried in the mean time. Papa came back covered in sweat with a huge blood stain on his shirt. "He's gonna have to go to the hospital." "Thank god" I said in relief. "But, it doesn't mean he's gonna make it..." "Can we go to the hospital to see him?" "Yeah, we need to pick up your mom anyways." "NELLIE! WE ARE GOING TO THE HOSPITAL!" I moaned. "Why does she have to come?" "She probably wants to see your mama, she's a part of the family." I moaned again, then we all got in the car.

Chapter 9

We arrived at the hospital, and asked a overweight nurse what room Jack was in. As soon as she told us we went into the elevator. "Why are we seein Jack?" asked Nellie. "Don't worry your pretty little head about it" I said sarcastically. She frowned, and right before she was going to ask any more questions we got up to the floor we needed to go too. I rushed to the room the nurse told us to go in right away, but Nellie beat me too it. When we got there Jack was sitting there looking miserable. "Jack!" Nellie yelled. He smiled. "Hi Nellie." "What happened? Are you hurt?" "Yeah, I'm bruised up pretty bad." She kissed him, and whispered to him. "I. Love. You." He smiled. "Love you too." She smiled and looked at me knowing I wanted my time with him. "I hope you get better" she said hugging him one last time. "Thank you." She walked out of the room closing the door.

"Hey kid" he said smiling. "Oh my gosh! are you okay?" he weakly grinned. "No. I feel terrible" he said with a mix of sarcasim in his voice. I sat on his hospital bed. I reached out for his hand slowly. He put his clammy hand on mine. "I'm sorry we couldn't go on our date..." he trailed off. "It's okay, I know you love Nellie now, so it's no big deal." A small tear formed in my eye. "Hey, don't cry. I don't just love her. I realized that love you too and that youre special in your own way." I smiled. I leaned in and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He weekly grinned. Than he died right before my very eyes.

Chapter 10

A WEEK LATER....

We were at Jacks funeral. I hid in the bushes as they buried him. I watched as they threw red roses on top of the coffin when they got it in the ground. As soon as they left, I threw a purple rose on top that I stole from Nellies bouquet. I stared at the coffin for a while as they were burying it. I hopped in the car with my parents and Nellie. I put a cinnamon mint in my mouth letting it's spiciness' burn my misery. Nellie was dabbing a tissue at her eye, looking all cute and sad in her black dress and fishnet stockings. I sadly rolled my eyes and turned my head around to look out the window.

We got home and I went inside to change. After I changed I went to the river and sat on the lowest dock. I curled up in a ball and looked at the lush brownish blue water resting above all the sand and rocks. I eyed the waterfall at the far end of the river. It brought back memories. I then looked at the highest dock. Suddenly my mind went crazy. I imagined me and Jack jumping of the dock together making a huge splash, it almost felt real. I felt like I got a little wet myself. I weakly smiled noticing that the wetness was tears running down my cheeks. I wiped them from my face, got up and headed back to his grave, even though I was already there...

I got to the gates of the grave yard. I headed in. Just then I heard sobbing, I knew I was not alone. It sounded like it was coming from Jacks grave. I got closer and closer and I saw a huge black lump curled up around his grave. I went over more to get a closer look, then I noticed it was Nellie. I was mad at first but then I felt bad so I went over by her side and hugged her making her feel better. She sat up and looked at me. "What are ya doin here?" "I thought I would come see jack and talk to him a little." She barely smiled, then frowned again looking serious. "Josie, I'm sorry. We didn't mean to hurt you." I didn't respond. "Do you forgive me?" I paused. "I'll think about it." She stood up and gave me her hand. I took it stood up and we walked home together savoring every moment together...

The End