Beyond The Eyes

Text Messages

I tossed and turned, finding my bed empty the next morning. My eyes flashed open and nobody was there. I felt empty inside, knowing he was not next to me. I picked up my head and scanned the room. No one. My feet hit the wooden floors. As I stepped down, creaks and squeezes would come out of the floorboards. I ignored the irritating sounds, making my way toward the doorknob. It was silent; which was unusual because of my big family. I ran down the stairs and found no one there. There was a note on the table. It read, "Went out for groceries. Be back soon – Mom." I yawned, making my way up the stairs. It was already the afternoon. I must have slept really well. Finally. Maybe it was because Jacob was there. Maybe it was just my lucky day. I went back into my room. I wondered where he was. It was worrying me to the point where my hands started to tremble. After the rough night, I pray he's all right. I grabbed my phone. No new text messages. The pit in my stomach grew deeper. I texted him, "I noticed you left. Are you okay?" I went back to into bed, feeling the warmth where he laid. I cuddled on the pillow he used and drifted off to sleep. My sleep was disturbed by a text tone. I jumped up, grabbing my phone. It read, "I'm sorry. I didn't let you know before I left. I just needed to be alone. Well, I thought I needed to." I couldn't even smile knowing what he's been going through. "Where are you?" I questioned. I wanted to go see him. "I'll be fine. Don't worry about me." "I have to worry. Something drastic happened to you last night. You lost someone so close to you," I answered. "I know, but I'm still very sad, but more angry." "Why are you angry?" It took him a little while for him to answer, but I didn't mind. At least he did.
"Because my own father didn't even come to the hospital to visit her ANY TIME. What was I suppose to do? Leave her to die alone? I'm not that heartless. You know what he said when she passed? He said he thought she was already dead," Jacob explained.
"Why does he hate her that much," I asked.
"Because my grandfather used to abuse her throughout her whole pregnancy and while my father grew up. Once my father was in his late 20s and my grandmother decided to leave him, he apologized. He wanted to make up for it, so he asked her on dates. She always rejected them. After the divorce, my grandmother never wanted to back into old habits, so she ran away for a few years. Eventually, she came back, but it was already too late. He had already passed away. My dad resented my grandma for never putting the past in the past. How can you blame her? He would beat her so brutally people thought she was in a car accident."

"I'm sorry. I wish it was easier."

"Thank you for dealing with me, Avery."

"Just returning the favor."

"I don't know what I would do without you. I was a wreck last night. I found myself at your house."
"Come any time you want."
"Would it be too much if I asked you to come to the funeral with me? I don't want to be alone," Jacob begged.

"I'll be there."