Timeless

Chapter Six

"I wondered if that was how forgiveness budded; not with the fanfare of epiphany, but with pain gathering its things, packing up, and slipping away unannounced in the middle of the night."
~Khaled Hosseini, The Kite Runner

Seventeen-year-old Jael sat at the counter, kicking her feet as they dangled from her position on the stool. She was picking at her dinner of spaghetti, poking the noodles around with a fork and frowning silently. She hated the pasta dish - she always had - yet she couldn't bring herself to tell Maddy. It was one of her favorite dishes to cook.

"What's wrong?" Maddy asked, looking over her shoulder as she stood washing dishes - they had a dishwasher, Maddy just assumed she'd never empty it if she used it. "I thought you liked spaghetti."

Jael shrugged and picked up a noodle. She dangled it in front of her face for a moment before sighing and dropping it beside her, where it fell gracelessly into the dog's mouth. Soap gobbled it up eagerly with a slurp, hopping onto his hind legs to beg for another morsel. "I do," She replied with a shrug, giving into the canine's pleas and tossing him another bite. "I'm just not really hungry."

Maddy sighed but didn't push the matter. She'd only been with Jael for a few months and she didn't feel like pushing her luck. She'd heard the horror stories of the young girl's passed, of the expulsion and shoplifting, of countless run-ins with security and law enforcements. "So, you're going to the football game?" She asked instead, making conversation. It was the end of November, which meant it was time for the Semi-Finals of High School Football. Everyone knew - at least hoped - the Clifton High Titans would take the trophy this year. They were facing Patriot Park High from a few towns over; it was going to be a hard game, but the Titans would preserve.

"Mhm," Jael nodded slightly, shoving the pasta around on her plate, her lips pursed.

Maddy furrowed her brows and pursed her lips, copying Jael's expression. "Connor picking you up?" She questioned, continuing to prod as she washed.

"Yeah, he should be here in a little bit," Jael replied, standing up and depositing her plate in the floor for the Great Dane to lick clean.

"So it's a date," Maddy said. There was a hint of a smile in her voice as she rinsed off a dish and looked over her shoulder at Jael.

"Maddy, honey, let's get something straight," Jael replied in a disdainful voice, narrowing her eyes at the older woman. "Connor is my friend-friend," She emphasized, her lips set downward.

Maddy held up her soapy hands in defense and smiled slightly. "I'm teasing. I'm teasing, Jael," She said with a shake of her head. "No need to throw me to the wolves."

Jael huffed and crossed her arms, glaring at Maddy for a moment before sighing and letting her arms fall to her side. "I'm sorry," She said after a moment, stooping down to pick up the plate. "I just, I don't know..." Jael told her, frowning a little, and depositing the plate in the sink.

"What's wrong, kiddo?" Maddy asked, feeling years older than she truly was by using the term kiddo. She took the place Jael had just deposited and rinsed it quickly, tossing it haphazardly onto the drying rack. "You seem off," She added honestly.

Jael shrugged and leaned against the counter beside Maddy. "It's just... It's weird," Jael said slowly. "I miss Connor. Ever since I got thrown out of Wesley, well, I just miss seeing him everyday," It had been nearly two years since they'd ousted her from Wesley, but the void of not seeing Connor every day was still there, and growing each day.

"That's because he was your only friends for - what? - eleven years?" Maddy explained softly; she was feeding on dangerous turf, and she knew it. She had to tread lightly or it would result in the silent treatment for days.