Thursday,
We sat down in our chairs, all ten of us in a circle. Our counsellor standing in the middle of us, hands at her sides. She urges us to call her Becky, that we are meant to become acquainted. Which, I suppose she thinks is meant to amuse us. It doesn't really, we aren't here to make friends, we're here to get in, and get out as fast as we can.
But I like Becky, She looks like she has something to live for. A trait of hers that immediately draws in your attention. She's the type of person you could never imagine doing anything else but counselling.
When I walked in today, I could hear whispering, frantic and feverish. It almost sounded like excitement. By now, we are mostly familiar with each other, and everyone seemed unsettled. I sat in my chair, hands over my ripped blue jeans.
That wasn't the design.
I hear he never finished high school. I overheard someone beside me say. Her friend giggled.
Really? He must be a freak. I rolled my eyes mentally.
Do you know his name? Someone across the room whispered, not quiet enough.
No, must be foreign. Someone else.
I heard he lives down town.
Down town?
I know...what a wreck.
I sat there and blocked them out. It was clear though that everyone was speaking about a boy. A boy who would be joining us.
Becky clapped her hands when a tall, broad-shouldered boy walked into our tiny hospital room.
Friends, She said warmly, beckoning a few people to shove their chairs and clear a space for this new stranger, This is our new friend.
I heard you're poor. Is that true? someone said, smiling. My hand shot to my mouth. I was shocked at the lack of respect. Where did these people hear all these things from?
But everyone just laughed. The boy looked uncomfortable. He stood at the centre of the circle, with Becky's hand draped awkwardly over his shoulder.
Why don't you introduce yourself. She sat down somewhere at the corner of the room.
This boy, this strange strange boy just stood. He stood, and stared at us all, as if measuring up some sort of competiton. My patience was ticking.
Would you hurry up and introduce yourself poor boy. Someone insulted. Laughter.
I cringed.
Uh...um. I... And then as if remembering the right way to do things, Hello everybody.
His voice, his voice sounded so familiar.
I was the only person to reply. Awkward.
I'm twenty-one, A few scoffs. He was quite older than most of us. I don't know why I'm here-
Maybe it's because you need a counsellor. The girl beside me laughed. They were giving him a hard time. Should I maybe, intervene?
Uh, where are you from? I asked, raising eyebrows.
Down town. He smiled at me. He almost looked confused.
So the rumours were true.
What's your name? I asked again.
And he said
Jack.
