Run Away

OMJ

Blake went to his neighbor’s house. His name was Lawrence Jenkins, but every one called him Old Man Jenkins. Some say OMJ.

Blake knocked on his door and OMJ opened it.

“Were you awake the midnight Dessie left?” he asked.

“No, but the day you and your family went shopping, she came here to talk to me…” OMJ said.

“Really?”

“Yes, come in, come in…”

Blake went inside the house and sat on the couch.

“Well, Dessie just came, talked to me, and left…during the time she came; we watched the videos from when you were young. I still have them.”

“Could we see some of them?”

“Of course!” OMJ put a cassette in the VCR and pressed play.

On the TV, it showed little Blake arguing with little Dessie.

“‘You have to listen to Old Jenkins. Mommy said so,’” little Blake said.

“‘She told you, Carmen, and Pedro to listen to Jenkins. She didn't even know I was there…’” Little Dessie said and crossed her arms.

The cassette stopped. “That was awfully short…Dessie was always a great actor…” Blake said quietly.

“Blake, let it out. Tell me everything that is on your mind, it will help you,” OMJ said.

“To begin with, I want a better family for Dessie…” Blake said.

“About Dessie.”

“Dessie always wanted to go to Broadway…she always acted as if she was happy when she was actually mad or sad. She was a great liar, but I could always tell if she was lying or not…” a tear ran down Blake's cheek.

“I got one about that!” OMJ gleamed.

He put on another cassette and pressed play. Another video began.

“‘I didn't hit her!’” little Dessie was screaming at little Blake over the wailing of Carmen in the background

“‘Lying is bad!’” little Blake scolded.

“‘Fine, I hit her. ‘Cause she's annoying with her girlie dresses, an’ trying to make me wear them…’” little Dessie crossed her arms.

“‘Give me your hand.’”

Little Dessie gave him her hand and he gave it a smack. Dessie winced and began to cry.

“‘Stop lying!’” little Blake yelled.

“‘Fine…’” little Dessie walked away.

“Blake, you treated her as if she was your own child…” OMJ said.

“I know…” Blake sniffed.

“Remember when I told you that a couple days ago, while you guys were at the store, Dessie knocked on my door. When I opened it, she gave me a hug. She said that she was sorry for doing the mean stuff as a kid. Then she asked for advice,” OMJ said.

“What did she tell you?” Blake stood up, “Did she tell you where she was going? Tell me!”

“Patience…” OMJ raised his right hand.

“She told me that she used to cut herself and her best friend is a boy named Jacob…she said that she felt depressed and had thoughts of killing herself.”

“I saw Jacob while shopping, but he never told me anything about Dessie.”

“He’s your friend?”

“No…”

“Did you talk about Dessie?”

“A lot…I talked about her for about five minutes…”

“Dessie said that she liked Jacob…” OMJ chuckled, “I started to ask her how you were to her. She said ‘A father, he was more of a father to me than my own dad…’ I asked her about me, she said, ‘You’re like a mother to me…’ Then she laughed and gave me a hug, and left…”

Blake nodded. “OMJ?”

“Yes?”

“Do you think you can give my family advice?”

“Yes, I will do it since you asked,” OMJ smiled.

Blake helped him up and took him over to his house.