(Written July 31, 2014)
I cry for what feels like an eternity and he patiently lets me. After a while, I feel as if all my built up emotions have washed away.
Wiping my tears, I move away from him and examine his face carefully. The street light reveals his facial features and it's hard to believe but it really is Jason Johnson.
"Wow, Liz, are you going to keep staring at my handsome face? Let me look at you; you look gorgeous as always!"
I chuckle and it's my first genuine laugh in a long time.
He hesitates momentarily but continues, "so are we going to continue to stare at each other's faces or can you tell me what's going on? I'm really worried."
Hearing this makes me realize how difficult tonight has been. Tears begin rolling down my face again. He gently holds my hand as if he's transferring the courage and energy to speak and I slowly tell him everything.
Afterwards, we just sit in the silence and listen to the crickets chirp in the distance. I glance over at him a few times and he seems to be thinking in a world of his own.
A few more minutes pass and then he clears his throat, and begins to speak.
"Liz, I'm truly sorry to hear about everything. If I could, I would take all your pain away. But for now, if you don't mind, I'd like to fix at least one of your problems."
He sees me hesitate and stands up before a word can leave my mouth. He picks up my backpack and grabs my arm, motioning for me to follow him.
"Jason, where on earth are we going?"
"Please don't worry. Trust me, I have a plan. I share an apartment with my two friends and it has a small bathroom, kitchen and one bedroom with two bunk beds. Two of the mattresses are taken by John and Liam, and the third is mine. You can take the top, vacant bunk bed. We would love to help you out until you feel ready to move on."
Taken aback by his words, I stand in my place unsure of what to do or say.
He knows this but begins to walk, forcing me to follow him. As we walk a few steps further, a realization hits me and I suddenly stop in my place.
YOU ARE READING
Tuning Heartstrings
Short StoryLiz knows loneliness all too well. Haunted by the shadow of her brother's tragic death and engulfed in the ocean of her parents' grief and guilt, Liz struggles to find a reason to live and distances herself from the world. As she navigates a life fu...
