Meet Dilemma

The News

Majuro was not very big, it was almost certain that every citizen of Majuro knew each other. It was a bit awkward asking the citizens if anyone knew Hope Blaire, but it was the only option we had. We didn't know anything about Majuro, so we just began asking people.

"Hi sir. I'm looking for Hope Blaire. Do you know her?"

"No, I'm sorry."

...

"Hello ma'am. Do you know a woman named Hope Blaire?"

"No, I do not."

...

Once again, we felt like giving up.

...

"Do you know a Hope Blaire?"

"I used to, I haven't seen her in a while. Her baby and my child used to go to the same daycare."

"Do you have ANY idea where we can find her?"

"Last I checked, she was living in the SunSide Community on the other side of the island."

"Thank you so much!"

We immediately headed towards SunSide Community. When we got there, a young woman and a baby were walking from their apartment.

"Excuse me ma'am. I'm looking for someone who lives in this community and I was hoping if you could help me out."

"Oh, sure. Who can I help you find?"

"We're looking for Hope Blaire..."

Her eyes widened.

"Hope?"

"You know her?"

"Ummm... I don't know how to tell you this..."

"Please don't tell me she moved! We've come all the way from the US to find her."

The woman acknowledged the small child.

"This... is Hope's child, Irony."

"So... where is Hope?"

"I'm sorry you guys... but Hope passed away 3 months ago in a car accident."

"WHAT???"

"She was on her way to the airport... she was going to surprise her friends, Journey and Pierce. She hadn't seen them in 3 years. That's what she told me."

"... I'm Journey. And this is Pierce. We came to surprise her..."

I hung my head. We were too late; Hope was really gone this time. We couldn't get her back. All this traveling and planning had went down the drain.

"Journey... I am so sorry."

Tears began to run down my face slowly. Our search was over... we were unsuccessful.

Pierce grabbed me and began hugging me. My bestfriend was really gone now. Three years ago, I watched her throw her life away... now, as I stood there in misbelieveable greif, her life was actually gone. I had never been so hurt in my life.

"... where are you staying while you're here in Majuro?"

I was silent.

"Actually, we don't know..." Pierce spoke, still crying.

"Would you like to stay with us until you return to the US?"

"That will be fine."

We walked into the apartment. A picture of Hope had been posted on the table, along with candles surrounding it. When my eyes caught a glimpse of that, I fell to the ground. It finally hit me, we were not going to find her. She was gone.

"My name is Piper."

"Like we said before, I'm Journey and that's Pierce."

Irony escaped from Piper's arms and wobbled over to me.

Holding her felt like I was holding a part of Hope. I felt a sense of relief. At least I had found Irony and I could watch her grow into the woman her mother was, the woman I loved.

That night was the most depressing night I had in a while. I still couldn't believe that my bestfriend was gone. I cried myself to sleep.

Pierce forced me to wake up the next morning and get myself together. We were going to visit Hope's grave on the island. We went to see her that evening. I asked Pierce and Piper if I could have some time to myself. I kneeled down beside her grave.

"...Hi Hope, I know it's been a while... three years. I know I should've tried to find you earlier. I feel like it's all my fault. Now you're gone and I have truly lost my bestfriend. On the bridge that night, I thought I was going to lose you, but when I realized that I didn't, I knew that you weren't going to leave my side anymore. Maybe everything is my fault. I miss you Hope, and I'll never forget our memories together. I'm going to make sure that Irony is well kept."

I got up on my feet and took one last look at her grave. Pierce, Piper, Irony, and I walked away in silence.