𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐬𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐬𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐝𝐞 » j.g × j.w

s e v e n

jake

sitting in the principal's office waiting to speak with someone, a lady rushes in. she looks like she heard the worst and best news at the same time.

"ma'am, can i help you?" the secretary asks nonchalantly.

"my son woke up. johnnie woke up," the lady says.

the secretary's eyes widen. "let me get mr. shephard," she says.

i approach the lady nervously. "excuse ma'am."

she jumps a bit. "i'm sorry, you scared me. can i help you?" she asks. she looks like she hasn't slept in days.

"your son- johnnie- does he have black hair and piercings and tattoos?" i ask.

she nods. "yes? are you a friend of his?"

i don't know how to respond so i blurt out, "i saw him the other day before he left school. he's alive?"

she nods once more.

"ohmigod. can i see him? if that's okay with you, ma'am?" i ask quickly, it almost sounds like it's all one word.

she gives me a weird look. "i don't think that'd be a good idea right now. but i'll tell him you said hi. what's your name?" she asks.

"jake. jake webber," i reply. "ma'am."

mr. shephard clears his throat.

"jake, i know you're having a hard time with the last few days but please leave ms. guilbert alone," mr. shephard says. i nod. "yessir. i understand."

before leaving, i say, "please tell him i said hi."

"weren't you waiting to speak with someone?" the secretary asks. "it's fine. it can wait till later."