One Hundred Letters for James

022

022:

Garlic

(I talked to your mum today. When I asked about you, she just changed the subject. Where are you, James?)

In Grade Twelve, your mum forced you to stay at my flat for a week so you could focus on your studies. I don't know what the logic behind that was, because you messed around the most when you were with me.

"Hey Kath, I'm bored." You had said, stretching your legs into my lap.

"We just started revisions a minute ago!" I exclaimed, astounded by your short attention span. You shut your book before lying down on the couch.

"Tell me a story." You demanded with a sloppy smile on your face.

"My god, James, you're so juvenile. But fine." I shut my own book, placing it on the coffee table beside us.

"Thank you." You turned and pulled me into your lap, tickling me.

"Stop it! You said you wanted a story!" I screamed between fits of giggles. You stopped, nodding. "Okay. Once upon a time, there was a little girl. She was a sad little girl, because she was lonely. But one day, a nice boy came along and saved her, and brought her on millions of adventures. They were best friends, and the boy was all the girl had. Even though the girl was attacked by the monsters that made her sad all the time, the boy helped her fight them off. They were fighters together, and they never left each others' side." I breathed, looking up at you. Your face was hard, and emotionless. "Man, that was a crappy story."

"No." You said, puling me closer to you. I turned my head so I was facing you. "That was perfect." I sighed. Your nose perked up, and your eyebrows furrowed. "Jeez, Kath, what did you eat? Your breath stinks." I blushed, remembering the garlic bread I had earlier.

"Sorry." I pushed away from you and ran into the bathroom, brushing my teeth as soon as I came to a full stop.

Garlic doesn't taste the same anymore.