Oddball

Chapter Fourteen

Only five days after the beginning of the new year, all of Willow's years came to a halt. It was early in the morning when I got the call. I rushed to the hospital, only to be greeted by an empty room with a freshly made bed. Security had to drag me out of the room, kicking and screaming. They then proceeded to call my mom, which was embarrassing. Upon arrival, she pulled me into her arms and I broke down into a gasping heap of tears. Milo entered moments later and carried me out. He told Mom he would handle me and to go home and rest. She regretfully left and Milo picked me up and carried me back to his car.

Since then, I've been lying in his bed. That was yesterday.

I've been lying on my side, staring at Milo's gray walls since yesterday morning. My mom called last night to check in. Since then, there has been nothing but silence. Milo migrates to the opposite end of the room and browses his book shelves. I stare harder at the wall. The color gray has never seemed so warm.

Milo sits down on the bed and scoots next to me. He sets a yearbook in front of his lap and begins flipping through pages. I swallow hard and slowly sit up. He stops on a page featuring pictures from a dance. He points to himself, wearing the ugliest powder blue tuxedo I have ever seen. He laughs lightly and shakes his head.

"Prom, freshman year. I thought I was so cool, going with a Junior girl. That was the first night I ever saw Willow. She snuck in with a group of Seniors. They were such good friends. I remember them having the time of their lives. It was such a good night for everyone." Milo says in a hushed tone, running his thumb along the side of the book.

Willow appears in a few photos, looking young and lively. Her face has color and she has hair, even though it only reaches her shoulders. It's platinum blonde and very thin. She looked happy. She looked healthy. I smile at the sight of Willow looking better than ever. Milo looks at me.

"You loved her." He says.

I nod and then blow out a heavy breath, "We didn't deserve her."

"You did, though. She meant the world to you. I saw the way you looked at her. And the way she looked at you."

I flip through the pages and take a look at her yearbook photo. I swallow hard and trace my fingertips along the edges of the picture. She always had the most beautiful smile. I get off of the bed and run my fingers through my greasy, tangled hair.

"I think I'm gonna go. Thanks for letting me crash here for a while." I tell Milo.

"Of course. If you need anything, give me a call." He says.

I leave abruptly and drive to Willow's house. Her parents are home. I park outside and make my way to the front door. I knock, shifting my weight to my left leg as I chew my bottom lip. The door opens and Melody stands before me. Her eyes are swollen and bloodshot, with bags to complete her look of exhaustion. She pulls me into a hug and I hug her back. I can't even imagine her pain.

She invites me in for some coffee and I graciously accept. While I wait for my cup, I end up wandering to Willow's room. I turn on the light and see Honey on the bed. She lies on a pillow, staring at the floor. She doesn't even acknowledge me. I scoop her off of the pillow and cradle her in my arms. I pet her gently and look around Willow's room. I look at all of her trinkets and post cards and pictures. There are even a few of the both of us. Honey buries her face into the crook of my arm and I pet behind her ears.

I exit the room and return to Melody in the kitchen. She pours me a cup of coffee and sets it on the table. I sit down and place Honey in my lap. She curls up and slowly flicks her tail back and forth.

"That cat hasn't moved since Willow left the house. It's good to see her responding to something." She tells me.

"She wouldn't move?" I ask.

"We tried to feed her, play with her, pick her up... Nothing. She just lies there all day and night."

"She misses her just as much as we do." I say, taking a drink from my cup.

Melody grimaces and nods.

"Where's Phillip?"

"He's been asleep all day. He's mostly up at night." Melody frowns.

"Oh..." I trail off and struggle to think of something to say, "You guys... Did really good. With Willow, I mean. I've never met anyone like her."

"She was always a free thinker... Always so smart." She smiles.

"Yeah. She changed my life."

"Mine, too." Her smile slowly fades and she gazes into her cup.

I attempt to make conversation for another half hour before I decide I need to go home. When I leave, Honey tries to follow me. I try to coax her into staying but Melody tells me that maybe I should take her. I end up taking the cat and arriving at home, only to sit in my drive way. Honey is curled up in the passenger's seat. I stare at my feet and try to process recent events.

I moved away from home. I made friends. I met a girl. I fell in love. I found home. And then I lost it again.

Life is odd that way. But I know that my life will never be the same. And I know that it's all going to be okay. Because even though Willow isn't here anymore, she'll never truly be gone.