Destined

Sixteen

Alex

"Is she always a brat or does she do it just to get under my skin?" I ask my longtime friend, Andrew.
"Alex, you have to realize you two didn't get off on the best foot when you showed back up here. We raised her to be a good person and she always was, no matter what, in every situation, because we wanted her to be well liked and loving of the world and environment around her. We wanted to make sure that she treasured the things she could see and touch and hear and every other sense. Evelyn was always the best child anyone could ever ask for. She grew up responsible, respectful and careful but courageous and had the kindest heart. Then she woke up one day and things began to change, she didn't understand what was happening to her."
"Please don't tell me this sudden change is because she woke up and got her period."
"No, she went to her mother for that. She seemed to think that coming to me for something a lot more serious would be better - easier almost. I'm not going to tell you exactly what that change was because it's her business to share, not mine but she changed. She still is and will forever be that little girl Jolene and I raised but she's also different now in a way I can't describe. The life in her eyes, I can see her old self in them some days; other days I see her struggling to fight for herself to come back." Andrew was sniffling, trying to contain his tears.
"Andrew-"
"I'm sorry, I have to um... I have to go inside. I'll see you in a bit." He gets up and leaves me alone in the backyard.
"Why did I just see my husband crying, Alex?" Jolene asks me while standing by the door.
"Is there something wrong with Evelyn? I always had a thought that maybe there was but I never wanted to bring it up." I question as I turn to look at her. Her whole expression changes. "Please be honest with me, you're good at that. Jolene, what's wrong with her?" The second she sits down in the seat across from me, her hands are in her hair and a deep sigh leaves her body.
"Andrew took it a lot harder than Evelyn and I did but she's his baby and all he's ever wanted for her was to be strong and healthy. Evelyn kind of knew it for a while before telling either of us so she had gotten used to the idea and I had watched my cousin go through it so I knew what to do, how to act around her while still treating her the same. Andrew babied her a lot more once he found out, he still does. He wants to make sure she's always as happy as she can be and he does anything to make sure she's not spoiled, he just wants her to be comfortable." That makes more sense regarding the first night I was here. He overpraised that stupid salad and she got so upset with me. I just didn't understand, I didn't see the point.
"You're making it sound like she's got cancer or something."
"No, not cancer. Thank God it's not cancer but it's still not good. Alex, I want to tell you and I guarantee that when we found out, all Andrew wanted was a friend to confide in but he didn't have you."
"Please tell me," I beg but was met with her shaking her head.
"It's her choice on whether or not she wants you to know. I'm sorry, I'd love to tell you but I can't do that to her."
"Do you think she'll ever tell me?" I ask.
"It's hard to imagine her doing so."
"But if she doesn't tell me then I'll never know."
"Then I'm sorry." She says simply, taking a stand and leaving me alone in the backyard.
With Evelyn and I's track record, there was no way in hell she was about to divulge her private life to me at the drop of a hat if I just simply asked her. I'd have to butter her up and figure out a way for her to feel more comfortable around me so I could know. But how would I do that, how could I figure out how to relate to her or get her to open up to me without it seeming suspicious? If only she'd actually believe me when I told her she has no idea who I am and how I feel.
Like that damn necklace she wears. The one she claims is her favorite. If only she knew the truth and the story behind that necklace. It's different than her assumption but I'd like to think she'd enjoy hearing about it. About how I spent hours before I left this city the last time, searching for an item she could keep forever and hopefully love. And how the very moment I set my eyes on the jewel, I knew that was what I needed to get her. I had to make sure she'd always have a piece of me with her as she grew into who she is now and who she will be. I wanted to be a part of that, even if I was just a trace on that necklace. Even if she never knew, she'd still have me with her. The harsh reality is, I care too much and she doesn't see it.
"Okay, Andrew, I know the last time we spoke today you got all emotional but, this has been eating at me all day and I need to talk to you about it."
"Am I going to get teary over it?" He asks me, preparing himself in his office chair.
"I highly doubt it," I tell him after thinking for a second.
"Okay, then shoot."
"Evelyn still has the necklace."
His eyes lower, searching his brain to find what I mean but he's lost. He bites his bottom lip and sighs, tilting his head before looking at me. "She has a lot of necklaces." He informs me to which I already know.
"No, she still has the necklace I bought her right before I left when she was a baby."
"Okay, what about it?"
"She says it's her favorite."
"Would that not be a good thing?" He adjusts himself in the seat.
"No." He rubs his forehead, trying to understand and piece together what I'm saying.
"Please elaborate." I'm told.
"She thinks you bought it for her."
"Oh." I'm trying to read him but with his expression being blank, it's a bit more difficult.
"Yeah, oh."
"Did you tell her otherwise?" He asks me.
"She wouldn't feel the same if she knew. So you didn't tell her you bought it for her?"
"Why would I lie to her, and especially over something so small?" How could he think this is something small? This is the biggest thing I've done for someone ever since high school and the action was years ago.
"I just thought I'd ask." Is all I reply with.
I'm woken up the next morning by a door closing across the hall. Evelyn's home and clearly not caring about the rest of others. I pull myself out of bed to go take a shower before I start the day, wrapping a towel around my waist and heading to the bathroom.
I step under the steaming water, not moving for a few breaths, thinking about nothing in particular. Okay, so maybe that's not exactly the truth. My mind is flooded with thoughts of the past couple of days and yesterday's events. How would she react if I told her I was the one who gifted her the jewel that sits around her perfect porcelain skin? Shampoo runs down my back, imagining her face filling with hatred if I told her. I run my fingers through to remove the rest of the shampoo then adding conditioner. The worst would be if she took it off and handed it back to me but somehow I don't believe she'd do that. As she said, it's her favorite. If only I was already able to know how she'd take the news so I could just get this over with.
After finishing my shower, drying myself off and re-wrapping myself in the towel, I open the door the exact time Evelyn opens hers. We look at each other but as she goes to speak, I hold my hand up signaling for her not to speak and close myself in my room. If I'm going to be speaking with her, which I don't really want to right now, I need to be clothed.
Around noon I find Jolene resting on the living room couch. I want to wake her so she can rest in bed but I choose against it. "She's peaceful," Evelyn whispers beside me. I turn to her yet say nothing. She's wearing the necklace again today and she can tell when I've taken notice to it. "Anything you want to tell me?" She asks. I shake my head because I just don't think I can do it today, so it'll have to wait. "Oh come on, we both know that's not true."
"What are you talking about?"
"You know exactly what I'm talking about." Jolene rustles on the couch so I take Evelyn out to the backyard. "Pretty sure we weren't going to disturb her in the hall, you didn't have to drag me out here."
"I'm over not understanding what you're talking about most of the time. What do you think I know?"
"There's something about this necklace that you're not telling me. That no one's told me."
"Why does it matter? It's just a necklace." I tell her, automatically feeling the pang in my chest from my own words.
"Because you know something I don't and I'd much prefer if it was the opposite way around."
"You mean like how you've been keeping secrets from me since the day I walked in here. Well, tough, I'm not telling you anything." I tell her, leaving her in the partially cloudy backyard.