Sierra Leone (rewritten)

2

Here I am. On a plane. On my way to Louisiana. 

Tomorrow is Jaylena's funeral. I'm sitting in a seat next to a woman and her child. I pull my headphones out of my pocket and play some music. My soundcloud playlist, mostly, but I switch between Tidal and apple music. Anything to help me tolerate the child behind me kicking the living shit out of my chair. I shift a little in my seat and make myself comfortable. I wasn't trying to show it, but deep down inside, I was in pain. Actually realizing that after today I'd probably never see Jaylena again made me realize how much I missed her. For the past week she raced my mind. I couldn't sleep at night. I was worried about her daughter. Poor Jordan. I wonder how her boyfriend is. Poor him, too. Her mom must be torn up. I pray for her every night. The music seemed to ease my pain just as alcohol would. Just listening and understanding the lyrics, it burned like liquor. The truth hurts, and I knew that someday I would have to accept the fact that she's gone. Forever. I think I already did, I just don't fully understand why it happened. I wish we didn't end end on bad terms.  I felt myself drifting off to sleep, and it was as if I felt relaxed for the first time in a while...

??: Chris!

I jumped and someone was shaking me, saying my name. I opened one eye and saw Someone who I wasn't expecting to see on my flight.

Christopher: Lennie..?

My heart dropped. Jaylena was holding me by the arm. How? How did she get on the flight? How was she still alive?

She looked me in the eyes.

Jaylena: I'm sorry, Chris

She grabbed me and hugged me. I didn't understand what she was apologizing for until I thought about it. She did cheat on me. I wasn't thinking about it at the moment, just still wondering how she got there. As she embraced me, I inhaled her scent. It was her classic mango Shea butter and Shea moisture lotion scent. She always used it to get clearer skin. She was sort of like a tomboy when she was younger, so she was covered in scars from her childhood. All the years of climbing trees and scraping her elbows and knees on sidewalk pavement. She also used to slit her wrist in high school. She went through a depression for about a year and a half. Her dad died. I remember everything. I was there for everything. I helped her recover from it. I even told her shea butter helped. I bought her some. I was there that one time when she broke her leg on the tire swing. I ran all the way home just to get my wagon to carry her to her house in. That one hug brought up so many memories.

One of her curls brushed against my face. She pulled away from the hug and stared at me. Her eyes got teary. She hugged me again.

Jaylena: (whispers) I missed you so much

Christopher: I...I missed you too

Jaylena: I'm sorry for everything... I'm sorry that I cheated on you, I really am...

Christopher: how...are you here?

She stared at me for a while and I started to realize what was going on. It was all a dream.

Jaylena: don't think about it, please... Just-

Christopher: it's a dream.

Jaylena: wait, Lonnie... Please just listen-

Christopher: how...

Jaylena: it's... It's.....

Christopher: what?

Jaylena : it's yours.

Christopher: what's yours...? Or... Mine....?

Then the plane jumped. Everyone was thrown around a little. She fell onto me and I could smell the mango Shea. How was I smelling things in my dreams?