Left Behind

Mr. Huston

November 20th-

It was finally the day... Jessica was leaving for Minnesota. Jessica couldn't wait to finally be out there again. Mostly because she would see Danny. Being away from him ever since she left was the hardest for her. After lots of thinking she realized she wanted to be with Danny. She didn't know how, but she just wanted him. Unfortunately, Jessica hadn't herd from him in a week. He didn't returned any of her calls or texts. She knew that there was a lot going on with his dad, she couldn't help but worry for him and his family.

"Jessica, you're here!" Ann yells from a distance.

Jessica ran to her and gave her a huge hug.

"I'm so happy to see you, my god you look great!"

"Haha, thank you. I've been getting myself together a lot. I think I'm doing good."

"That's great, Ann... Thanks for picking me up."

"No problem. I'm starving. Let's go out to eat."

**

Ann and Jessica drove into town to get some lunch before the headed to Dorthy's. The feeling of being home made Jessica feel so good.

When she was at lunch with Ann they caught up, a lot. Ann was finally able to get back on her feet. She moved into an apartment close to the school she taught at. Things finally fell in place for her after her husbands death. It was something she thought would never happen, but it did.

"I'm glad things are going so well for you and the kids. You all deserve to be happy."

"Thanks... it's been a crazy journey but I'm finally able to get back on my feet. I've been seeing someone to talk about stuff with. The kids have too. It helps, a lot. But enough about me! You have a book out!"

"Yea, it's crazy. I never thought I'd publish it. I brought some for everybody."

"Thank goodness! I've been dying to finally see all of them."

"I'm happy to be here. I hope I can see Danny soon."

"Isn't it such a shame what happened. I feel so bad for him and his family."

"His dad is so sick, I wish there was something I could do. You and I know exactly what he's going through." Jessica becomes quite. Thinking about her dad, the pain she went through, and how Danny was going through the same thing made her so sad.

Ann was shocked at first, she knew Danny's dad was sick, but there was more. "Jessie, you know what happened right? Have you talked to Danny?" Ann says

Jessica's heart quickly sank. It had been days since she last heard from him. "No... not since last week. Why? What happen?"

"John died two days ago in hospice. I thought you knew..."

Jessica takes a few deep breaths. She holds her chest and sits there in silence. She was absolutely shocked. Danny never told her that he was so close to death. She thought he had months, not weeks. Her thoughts went directly towards Danny and his family.

"When is the funeral?" Jessica says softly

"This Thursday..."

"Should I call Danny? Maybe go over?"

"He may be with family right now."

"I feel so horrible... his dad was such a good man."

"I know, it's tragic. Mr. Huston was always good to us."