Page 83 of Other Side Of Never
Any hope that my old friends might reach out to me?Stolen.
This wasn’t the first time I’d traded everything I had for peace, it would, however, be the last.Because waking up to a supposed email from Jakey saying he wants to see me was too much.Gary’s cruelty knew no bounds.And this time, I couldn’t ignore it.
Without further thought, I tapped out a message, my every breath resoundingly harsh in the quiet of my room.
Fuck off, Gary.This is cruel even for you.
My lips trembled with long-suppressed rage.I didn’t even have Jakey’s cell number.
I’ve kept every message you’ve sent.I’m taking them to the police to get a restraining order against you.Consider this your only warning.
I sent the message, but it wasn’t enough.I swung my legs out of bed and paced back and forth.Spiked adrenaline coursed hot and fiery through my veins.
I could rip his head from his body.
When my phone rang, I snatched it up with something akin to glee but much, much darker.“Was I not clear?”
“Mo—Bridget?”
I fumbled the phone in my hands.
My jaw slackened as I grappled to rescue it before it hit the floor.
That voice, that sweet voice, so much deeper than it was when I last heard it.
“Uh, Bridget?It’s, uh, it’s me.Jake.”
Uncertain.Vulnerable.Quiet.
Oh, God.
My stomach dropped.
What must he be thinking?
Was he okay?
Oh, God!Was he okay?
Heart pounding in my throat, tears filling my eyes, I managed only one quivering word as I sank to the bed.“Jakey?”
His voice softened.“Hi.”
I closed my eyes as years of unexpressed love and grief surged to the surface with a harsh sob.After so long, I answered as only a mother could, “Are you okay?”
“Are you?”
I closed my eyes.“I’m better now.”
Jakey, or Jake as he called himself now, caught me up on all his news over the past year and a half.By the time I got off the phone, I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry and ended up doing a bit of both.
All day I held it inside me like the most precious of secrets, the most wondrous of gifts, going over and over our conversation in my head, fearful of forgetting a single word.
Praying he’d call me again soon.
When we took Isaiah to the beach and the park?I held it close.
When Isaiah stole my French fries, I held it tight.
