A CAST OF PAIN (Closed For Editing)

Chapter Thirty

The distant yet alluring melody beckoned her attention, and with a relieved sigh, she made her way toward the source after the outdoor breakfast.

A bittersweet smile adorned Kore's face as she observed Jojo dancing with captivating precision to Terrian's "Stayed on Him." Vibrant movements, springs in her steps, and a solemn connection with the song resonated on Jojo's face.

In silent appreciation, Kore watched, feeling the music conclude as Jojo's movements reached their graceful finale.

"Hey," Kore greeted, stepping out of her corner to approach Jojo.

Swiftly turning, Jojo's radiant smile reclaimed the bubbly atmosphere. Kore reciprocated the smile.

"What are you doing?"

"Dancing," Jojo cheerfully replied, accompanied by a playful 'duh' expression. "Wanna join in?"

"No, thanks."

"Oh, come on, Kay, don't be a party pooper."

Kore glanced behind her, Jojo following her gaze.

"Did someone come with you?"

"No."

"Then...?" Jojo shrugged, scrolling through her playlist with a reassuring smile.

"I... Don't want..."

"Attention? Yeah, yeah, I get it. But you see, no one's coming. Let's clear the air on that, hmm?" Jojo assured Kore, maintaining her upbeat tone.

"Jojo, I..."

"You...?" Jojo replied, still scrolling through her phone.

"I'll pass."

"Of course, you will." Jojo bent in a playful swing. As the song began, she added, "Come on, follow me," pulling Kore into an impromptu dance.

Rolling her eyes, Kore joined Jojo, conceding, "Okay, you win."

"Hallelujah, she finally agrees!" Jojo cheered. "Yeah, whoo! Go Kay."

"Okay, so..." Jojo paused the song.

"Hmm?" Kore inquired, fully engaged.

"I'll let you have the first dance, hmm?"

"Sure, thanks."

"Okay, you ready?"

"Yep."

With the press of a button, the music surged, filling the air with the liberating beats of Riley Clemmons' "Free."

******
Meanwhile, Paul and Martha were nestled in each other's arms in bed, enveloped by the serene yet comfortable silence that surrounded them.

"Honey," Martha called softly.

"Hmm?" Paul replied.

"Remind me again."

"What about?"

"Why don't we have a child of our own yet? It's been 10 years, you know."

Paul smiled. "I know."

Another round of silence followed.

"What's it like being a mother?"

Paul chuckled. "You, asking me? How am I supposed to know?"

"Just for the sake of asking."

"Well, you're asking the wrong person."

"I know."

Paul laughed. "Silly girl."

"Yeah, silly me. But I should ask Mom, you know."

"That wouldn't be a bad idea. But it's a bad idea all the same."

"Right."

He was right; asking her mother would only get her worried.

"You could ask Dad."

She raised her head to meet his face.

"No, I don't want to get laughed at."

He laughed again.

"But, I meant Dad in heaven."

"Oh," she said in realization.

"You sound sleepy."

"No, it's just the room's atmosphere."

Silence ensued.

"Dear Dad, sweetheart here wants to know what it's like to be a mother."

"Heavenly Father, I know you haven't forgotten us. Please give us a child soon," Martha added.

Silence lingered for a long time.

"Don't worry, honey. He's here, and He heard us."

"Hmm," was her only reply.

Meanwhile, "I'm going nowhere. This place, I die here."

Martha playfully slapped his arm, and he laughed.

"You laugh too much."

"It was one of those things you said to me the first time we met."

"But you were serious, and I'm pretty sure nothing I said was funny."

"But you were so funny."

"I was just talking."

"But then, aren't you glad you're the reason for my laughter?"

"Hmm," was all she said.

"I love you."

She raised her head to look at him and brought it back down to his chest.

"I said, I love you," he repeated.

"You're handsome," she said with a stern face.

His laughter rose gradually until he was laughing loudly. "You're impossible."

"Or, as they say now, 'impossicant.'"

He laughed again. "Oh my God, this girl..."

*****

Kore and Jojo lingered on the rooftop, embracing the soothing caress of the cool breeze cutting through their perspired bodies.

"How are you?" Kore inquired, her eyes fixed on the expansive sky.

"You're not just seeing me today, are you?"

"Just answer me."

"Fine," Jojo responded with a plain tone after a brief pause.

"Are you okay?"

"Yes."

"You weren't really yourself earlier today."

Jojo finally comprehended but remained silent.

"You were up early today too."

"Hmm, I went dancing," she casually mentioned.

"You're lucky Dad didn't notice your absence at the morning devotion this morning."

Jojo winced. "True."

A moment of quietness followed.

"The song you were dancing to before I came."

"'Stayed on Him' by Terrain, why?"

"What meaning does it hold for you?"

Jojo turned sharply to face her. "Ugh! Here we go again with you trying to read meaning into everything." Jojo grunted and stood up; Kore followed suit.

"You're not giving up, are you?"

"No!"

Kore observed as her friend and sister ran her hands through her hair.

"What!" Jojo's voice now carried a low and solemn tone. "You're not even fighting this." The cheer in her face seemed to vanish, but Jojo wasn't focused on that.

"Jojo," Kore called softly, her voice bearing a sad weight.

"I'll see you later, Kore." And with that, she was gone.