5/7/16 - Henry

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has been acting kind of weird.

He avoids my eye and

doesn't answer me the first time I speak.


Something's up.

And I want to know what it is.


I walk to his house after school.

We live only a couple blocks away.

I knock until -

His stepmom opens the door, smiling.


Mrs. Jacobson's not super young, or

super pretty, or

super evil,

not like stepmoms on tv

she's just a normal

mom - looking woman.


"Hello Jackie. How are you sweetie?"

I look past her light brown eyes into the kitchen,

"Oh, Henry's not here right now, I just sent

him out on an errand. He'll be back soon."


I walk into his house

his mom moves out of the

way to

let me in.

"Do you want a hot chocolate?

It's pretty cold outside."

I nod my head

to say yes and in agreement.


She starts getting out the ingredients

as I sit at the island.

"So how are you?

You never got to teling me."


Mrs. Jacobson mixes hot milk

and cocoa powder in a bright green mug.


"I'm okay."

"That's good, darling."

She puts my hot chocolate

in the microwave once more.


"How's Carly?"

She knows about Carly.

I know this.

Everyone in our small town knows.


"Carly has a hard time doesn't she.

Has the doctor said what's wrong with her?"

I'm not quite sure how to answer this question

or why she's asking.


She sets down my hot chocolate

and sits down next to me.

The hot chocolate has five marshmallows.

Fluffy pillows just waiting for someone to lay down their head and rest.


"They do think she sees stuff."

"Well of course she does, honey.

She couldn't be making all that up

on her own, now could she?"


I'm not quite sure what that's suppose to mean.


"I just hope the poor darling will get better soon."


The door opens and Henry

walks out of it.

"I got the milk you asked for.

Mom?" I hold the warm mug tight in my hands.


"Jackie's here sweetie."

Henry's eyes get wide, and looks away from me.

"Oh - Jackie."

"Hey." I reply.


"I actually need to go

now." I leave my hot chocolate

on the counter as I walk pass

Henry and out the door.

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