The Diary of Existing

FORTY TWO

I had both my parents. And yet, it felt like I had none either. But it still didn't compare to whatever Wesley and his mom had went through. The hardships it must have taken for them to be where they are now and be able to really get through it all. It made me wonder if a person can get over something as tragic as that, as traumatizing and painful.

"What about Jacqueline and Wesley? I know they came from the same town. I at least remember the part about them both being from Horton. Before Wesley's dad died they lived there then they moved when his dad died right?" I asked and Henry nodded his head.

"They didn't meet there though. But from what I know, Jacqueline's family knew Wesley's. Horton's small, so I guess everyone knows each other there. And someone's death, that's news that travels fast." Henry said and I nodded.

"So, they did become friends? What happened?" I asked and there was a shift in Henry's expression. From relaxed to suddenly hostile. He licked his bottom lip and cleared his throat, his posture changing, he sat up straight this time.

"Maybe you and Wes should talk about this together." Henry said as he cleared his throat again.

"If I tell you everything about Wes what else will the two of you talk about?" Henry said as he let out a soft chuckle. He then got up and yawned.

"I'm going to head back. Get a phone, start talking to Wesley." Henry said and began to walk away, his hands in his pocket and his head hung low.

I wonder if Henry was really okay with me and Wesley?

After he left I went back to my room, rested for a bit and called it a day. But as much as I wanted to call it a day, I laid in bed staring at the ceiling, wide awake and trying desperately for the sheep counting thing to make me fall asleep.

"Can't sleep?" Jacqueline's voice echoed and I looked over where she was. All I could see was a figure laying on the bed. I turned to open the lamp on my bedside table and Jacqueline had done the same. She was still laying in bed, looking at me.

"No, you?" I asked and she smiled, letting out a soft chuckle. She sat up, placed her pillow by the headboard and put her back against it. I decided to do the same thing.

"Wesley's courting me." I said and a huge smile smeared across Jacqueline's face.

"Really? Alex, tell me the details." Jacqueline got up from her bed and went all the way over to my side. I moved a bit so she could have some space. She tucked herself in bed next to me. It was weird having her this close, but I guess this is what normal teenagers did. Or at least that's what most teen films do.

"It was during Henry's birthday party. He confessed he liked me then I said yes when he asked if he could court me." I said and Jacqueline looked unamused.

"I want details! And God, courting? That's adorable. He's such a gentleman." Jacqueline said and sighed.

"He hasn't changed." I heard her whisper and then it hit me whether I should ask her about her friendship with Wesley. But if I asked her, would she say why? Wesley didn't want to talk about it at Snowshill, Henry refused to tell me making the excuse that he didn't want to lessen the conversation topics me and Wesley could have. What if Jacqueline doesn't want to talk about it either.

"There really isn't much details to give. He just said it out loud and asked me straight. I said yes, I mean, he is nice. We skipped the birthday party, he took me to the Royal Garden Hotel and we ate at the restaurant inside. Then he brought me back here. There hasn't been much after that. We haven't gone anywhere." I said and Jacqueline looked at me, her full attention was on me.

"But before all this, we did go to Snowshill, you know, that place with the lavender fields." I said and Jacqueline's eyes lit up.

"That is romantic! It's beautiful up there." Jacqueline said and sighed.