Suicide Notes

Chapter Seventeen

Chapter Seventeen

Anna-

It was incredible how fast the cheerleaders pulled the event together. The football field was littered with craft booths, face painting, inflated jumping stations for kids, video game trailers, and food vendors that were filling the air with delicious aromas. From hot dogs to pizza to corn on the cob and fried zucchini, I couldn't decide which to try first. My mouth watered as Caleb and I strolled through the fair-like atmosphere.

"I wish Danica could see all this," I said in awe. "She would be amazed." Pausing by a jewelry booth, I traced over a beautiful silver necklace with an Opalite Rainbow Moonstone teardrop.

"How much for this necklace?" Caleb asked the vendor.

"Twenty-five dollars."

"I'll take it. No need to wrap it. My girlfriend can wear it right now."

"You didn't have to do that," I said. "But, thank you. I love it."

"It will look beautiful on you."

"You picked a very good time to purchase this," the man added, as he handed the necklace to Caleb.

"Really? Why's that?"

"Because, tonight is the full moon stage of the Lunar Cycle. It's said that the moonstone is the stone of the Greek goddess, Diana, and who gives a moonstone to their love during the full moon will always have a life of passion, love and good luck."

"That's so beautiful," I said as Caleb brushed my hair over my shoulder and fastened the necklace around me. He bent and kissed the curve of my neck when he was finished.

"I can handle a lifetime of passion with you; but are you sure you want me that long?"

"How can you even joke about that?" I asked, turning in his arms and hopping up on my tiptoes to give him a kiss on the mouth. "I can't think of anything I'd rather have."

Glancing back toward the vendor, I saw he was smiling widely at both of us.

"Do you have any crystals that promote mental health?" Immediately, he reached for a green pendant, lifting it for me to examine.

"Emerald is a soothing tranquilizer for minds that are troubled and will help to bring wisdom and reason to those who wear it."

"That's pretty," Caleb said. "We'll take that too, but please gift wrap it, if you can."

"Not a problem at all, sir." The man began packaging it for us.

"Your mom will love this," I said, accepting the package from the vendor.

"I think so too. And it will be nice to bring her something from the event. She's doing a lot better, but the doctor felt that being around all these people, giving her condolences, would be too overwhelming for her. I agreed completely. She's barely started acknowledging Jessi's death, I figured there's no reason to push her."

"That's probably pretty wise. Any word on how long they'll keep her there?"

He shrugged. "She doesn't really have anywhere to go, right now. They think my dad's behavior helped to trigger her episode, so it's not exactly a safe place to send her back to. I can't bring her to the loft, since all the guys are renting the other rooms."

"What about moving and getting a place to share with her. Would that work?" I asked, slipping my hand as we continued our stroll.

"I'd have to break my lease. That would cost a lot."