Michael's Story

Chapter 24

Passing off Junie's journal to her was hard for Michael to do without saying a word. He wanted her to know that he had read it but hadn't quite figured out how to say it to her face. But, once Junie's eyes landed on the journal and not the bookbag she kept it in, she knew Michael read it.

Junie never told him about her journal, so it was apparent that he found it on his own. She was bent over in the car with the passenger door open, obviously keeping her distance from him. Junie grabbed her journal, but Michael didn't release his hold on it. Patiently, Junie waited for Michael to let it go.

"Get in," Michael said.

"Why?" Junie raised an eyebrow.

"I didn't like that you walked away from me like that," Michael responded.

More hope from Michael's persuasive eyes wolfed Junie's firmness down. Taking her journal back, Michael sat the notebook in the passenger seat and slid his hand up to caress Junie's wrist. Junie watched him as he kissed her hand gently. Then, looking back at her, Michael waited for her to sit in her seat.

"I don't wanna be out too late. I have to be up in the morning." Junie informed him as she climbed into the passenger seat.

Resting her journal on her lap, Junie began drumming her fingertips on it. Michael's car was music-less. In addition to it being so quiet in his car, he didn't even bother looking at Junie once since he started driving. Wherever Michael was headed was further out than they'd ever been together.

"How much did you read?" Junie asked him.

"All of it." Michael still didn't look at her.

A mix of feelings came over Junie; Relief and disappointment. She kept quiet for the rest of the ride, and so did Michael. It seemed like they were driving for an eternity before they began cruising through a high-class neighborhood.

Driving up to a vast brick house, Junie glanced at Michael. Still, he wasn't making eye contact with her. They both got out of the car. As Michael approached the front, he extended his hand to Junie. She took his hand, and he led her inside.

This house had the highest ceilings Junie had ever seen. However, it was already furnished and had a homey feeling to it. Junie liked this place more than Michael's condo.

"This is where you're moving to?" Junie asked.

"I already did." Michael was finally looking at her.

"In less than twenty-four hours, you found a new place?"

"It used to be my brother's," Michael said.

"I take it he's older than you."

"Yeah."

"So, where is he?"

Michael peered at her. Junie folded her arms across her chest and then shook her neck at him.

"You get to read my entire journal but can't answer my question?" Junie sassed.

"He moved with his family."

"Family?"

"A wife, and now, three kids." Michael disclosed.

Junie raised one corner of her mouth. Her eyes trailed down to the floor, realizing that what she wanted from Michael was possible; he didn't want to give it to her. So instead of asking Michael why he couldn't make the same sacrifices his brother made, Junie sat on the arm of the sofa.

"Well, congratulations to him."

"It wasn't easy for him, though." Michael stepped closer to Junie, sensing disappointment from her.