The Space Between Us

Chapter 6

Before my mom died, i didn't write except a few lines here and there.

When she died, i was forced to see a therapist by a friend, who is now not in the picture. I don't know why i listened to him in the first place.

But my therapist, upon hearing that i like to write, insisted that i write what i'm feeling daily. He told me that sometimes he has to force his patients to write because it's a very good way to deal with your feeling and come to terms with what happened or what's happening.

Yes, writing is the thing that is keeping me sane.

At least till now.

                                **********

"I mean, like right now?" I ask and scratch the back of my head.

Sydney looks away for a moment, then sighs.  She shrugs her shoulders "sure."

I get up and leave some money on the table. We go outside and begin walking in the direction of my house.

I look at Sydney and she's looking at her feet as she walks.

"Hey, i'm really sorry for snapping at you, it wasn't fair, you were trying to help."

"No, i am not mad at you for snapping at me, i'm just worried about you, you didn't even attempt to eat anything."

I pinch the bridge of my nose. She's right.

"Don't worry about me." I give her a small smile.

She stops walking and turns to look at me.

"Believe me, i've tried. But i can't." She looks at me dead in the eye as she says that. Then she resumes walking.

This can't be true. No one should care for me. They will end up getting hurt in the end.

I walk a few steps and stop in front of her.

"I think that you should try harder." I tell her.

She looks up at me, surprised. Then her eyes get gentler.

"And why should i do that?"

I purse me lips. "It's for the best, sydney."

She smiles at me. Then says, "Why don't we keep going?"

She reaches over and places her hands on my shoulder, then turns me around and gives me a push.

I laugh and continue walking, she falls in step beside me.

"You know, i like your laugh." She says suddenly.

I look at her, amused. "Really? What else do you like about me?" I raise an eyebrow.

She giggles. "The list goes on mister Jake, your writing, your words, your poems," she laughs at her own joke.

I roll my eyes. "I mean, about the physical appearance." I shove my hands into my pockets.

Sydney taps her chin, and pretends to think about it before she answers. "I guess your eyes."

"What about them?" I ask her.

"They're brown. I like brown." She hides her smile with her hand.

"What else?"

"The dimple on your right cheek. It's cute." She giggles again.

"That's it? My eyes and my dimple?" I ask.

"Yes, i guess that pretty much sums it up."

"Okay, then. It's my turn."

I step in front of her. I place my hands on her shoulders.

"I like your laugh. The way your smile stretches bit by bit until it becomes a laugh. I like your hair, and i love that you never straighten it but leave it with it's natural curls. I like your clothes, they're always simple but you always manage to look flawless. I like your eyes, and the way  they always see the good in people." I pause. "I like that you like my writing. I like that i can talk to you about my mom. I've never discussed her death with anyone before." I let out a breath after my long speech.

She looks at me, astonishingly. I feel self conscious and remove my hand from her shoulders. I look at the ground and kick a rock with my shoes.

"Jake," i look up. Her eyes are slightly brimmed with tears. "Thank you. Just know that you can talk to me about anything from now on, okay?"

I sigh. "Yeah, okay."

Sydney looks away and mumbles something under her breath, then she nudges me and tells me to resume walking.

                                ********
That's why,
After everything that happened to you
And the things you went through,
You're still hanging in there,
Not letting go,
Not giving up.
                                 *********
Thank you so much for 182 readers!!