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"Good man, good." He nodded approvingly. "I needed to hear that."
My heart raced as I asked, "And Scar, where is she now?"
Seth gazed at the door that separated the garage from the mud room while he spoke. "She's in therapy with Mom. The fact that she agreed to go gives me hope."
Looking at him, I could see the concern on his face. He worried about not being here while we were at college. I worried, too, but knowing that Seth trusted me to look after her meant the world.
"Let's get something to eat," he said, breaking the silence. "All this talking about feelings is making me hungry." He softly patted me on my back as he walked into the house. "I'll be back. I'm going to grab my jacket."
I stood there nodding. Seth seemed a bit more optimistic now. I knew things wouldn’t magically get better overnight, but I was happy I could be there for him in some small way.
SEVENTEEN
PRESENT: THREE MONTHS AFTER SETH’S DEATH
SCAR, AGE 17
Today, I get to go home—a home where I once felt safe and happy.The bright sunlight shines through the blinds. The clear blue sky is free of clouds.A hummingbird eats from the feeder outside my window.
I miss the days of painting in the yard while Seth shot hoops to keep me company.Living in a world without my brother has been unbearable.I fear what it will be like once I walk out these doors. I could process my grief and the inner turmoil burning my insides during my stay. Although the pain will always be there, I found new coping skills to move forward.As my therapist says, it will be up to me if I use them.
"Knock-knock." The familiar voice makes me smile.
I tuck my pen inside the attached slot in the journal and close it with the attached elastic ribbon.I swing around in my chair to face the door. Jules stands in the doorway, arms across her chest with a big smile.
"What are you smiling for?" I ask her.
"What? Can't a friend be happy for another friend?" She eyes me sideways and plops on the edge of my bed, swinging her feet and tucking her hands underneath her thighs.
"I'm going to miss you, you know."
"I'm going to miss you too." I sit beside her, holding onto her hand.
"You're going to be released soon, right?" I ask.
"Yeah, but not for another week."
"At least you get to live where the sun never stops shining." I nudge her arm.
Jules's mom thought moving to Florida to be closer to her grandmother and cousins was best. After Jules’s boyfriend died, his family blamed her for his death. He wouldn’t have gotten in the car while upset if she hadn’t argued with him.
Sometimes, people need someone to blame to grieve the loss.
Trust me. I know.
"Oh! Before I forget." I jump off the bed and walk toward my suitcase. "I made you this." I pull out a geometric 3D origami. It is the hardest one I ever made, but seeing the light shine in Jules's eyes is worth it.
"Oh, my God! I love it," she says through tears of joy while taking the gift from my hand.She looks at me with a soft smile and pulls me into a bear hug.
"Thank you, Scar. Not only for the gift but for being my friend," she whispers over my shoulder.
I nod against her shoulder at the same time Nurse Lorraine walks in without knocking.
"Okay, Jules. It's time for you to go back to your room. Group session is in a half hour," she orders while placing the discharge paperwork on the desk.
"Yes, ma’am." Jules snickers, giving her a salute before she marches out of my room.
I chuckle under my breath, shaking my head at her.
