Never Forget

Chapter 19 (Krista)

While I was on break, I decided to call him.
"Hello" the familiar voice said.
"Hello" I answered the call sheepishly.
"Hello. Krista? Is that you?" He asked.
"Yes it's me Jack. What do you want?" I asked trying my best to make it clear that I didn't want to speak to him. "Well...you see...the thing is..." He continued to stutter and stammer over his words. "Jack, I'm at work. I don't have time for this. Please get to the point."
"Well...I was wondering if we could meet up for lunch. There is something import I have to speak with you about." The sound of his voice changed. He sounded desperate almost but I wasn't sure. "Ummm okay..." I said. "How does tomorrow sound? I'll drive up there and we can meet anywhere you'd like, my treat."
"Okay." I said trying to sound as emotionless as possible. "Great." He said relieved. "I'll see you then." I hung up the phone before he could get another word in. It would take him about 2 hours to here from where he live. What's so important that he has to drive two whole hours over her just to talk to me about?

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Next day

I decided to meet him at Jessie's after church. I texted him the time and the place. I decided to show up a little early. I ordered myslef a hot chocolate and a cinnamon roll. I sat down and tried to clear my mind. I didn't want to jump to any conclusions about Jack. Even though I tried to stop them, ideas of what he might have to say began rolling though my head. Maybe he's dying. Maybe he needs me to take care of him or something. Maybe he's an alien from space. Okay....that last one was straight up weird. I shook my head at my own crazy thoughts.

I sat there thinking about the whole summer and how much fun it's been. Then I started thinking about how much Sasha would like all of my new friends. I was so deep in thought that I barely notice when Jackson came in and sat across from me. He was about 5'11 with graying brown hair and brown eyes. When I realized my whole body tightened and I shifted in my seat. "Hello Jack." I said trying hard to not show my nervousness. "Hello" He said.
"You wanted to talk to me about something?"
"Oh yes...well...the thing is..." He kept mumbling and he wouldn't look me directly in the eye.
"What is it Jack?"
"Well....I just wanted to say that I'm sorry for everything." I sat there in awe. Out of all the things I thought he was going to say, that was not one of them. He continued speaking because I wasn't saying anything. "After Hilary died, I just didn't know what to do with myself. She was my world. Then Sasha...." his voice tried off. "And then you left. I felt even more alone than before. I realized that I missed out on raising you guys and I never took the time to get to know you....either of you. I should've taken care of you guys better....maybe Sasha would still be here I had." He said. There were tears welling up in his eyes and he still refused to look me in the eye.

I sat in silence for a while think about what my response should be. "I forgive you Jack." I said. He looked up at me with hope in his eyes. "Really?"
"Yes. And it's not your fault that Sasha killed herself. It's no one's fault."
"Oh....." He said and looked back down. Again we sat in silence then he said "there's something else I need to tell you."
"What is it?"
"Well a couple days before I sent you that package I got a call from a girl....she said that she's your sister."