Jayla (My Story)

The Burn

Jack's friend Jason lived in Jonesboro with his mother, stepfather, and his girlfriend Dayzie. I had only seen them a couple times before. They were nice people. Jason and Dayzie were the cutest couple ever in my eyes. They both had a mental disorder. I'm not sure what it was but they weren't as old in mind as in body. They were eighteen but behaved like they were about twelve. To see them find love In each other was the sweetest thing ever.
When we pulled up they came running out and hugged me like a child would. God I loved their innocence. We all went into the house and Jason led us to the dining room where his mother had fixed dinner.

" It's so nice to see you again Jayla. How have you been dear?" Mrs Jenny asked

" I'm OK Its nice to see you too Mrs. Jenny" I replied. She was a lovely lady she wasnt much taller than me so I'd say about Five foot even and her grey hair fell in curls around her shoulders. I found her to be quite beautiful. Inside and out.

After dinner I was informed we'd be staying the night because Jack had started drinking. Jason was drinking also which I really didn't like because not only was he not legally old enough to drink but mentally he was far from it.
It was now about ten o'clock Jack and Jason are sitting on the couch talking drunk talk. Dayzie and I were sitting on the step dividing the living room and the foyer she was telling me that Jason had asked her to marry him. She sounded like a giddy little kid.

" He got Jenny to bake me a cake. They got the number eight candle and a stick candle and he put the stick candle through the ring." She said bouncing with every word I couldn't help but laugh she was adorable. I hope that one day I can find love like that. Pure. Unlike the monster I was trying desperately to get away from.

"After they sang happy birthday to me he took the candle out picked up the ring and got down on his knee. Like you see in the cheesey movies only it wasn't cheesey at all it was really sweet. Oh and of course I said yes." she said then she looked up at the ceiling and back at me. " We had sex." She whispered " please don't say anything." she said

" Never." I promised.

"Your a good friend Jayla. I'm glad we met." She said then she got up and went and grabbed a beer.

" What are you doing Dayzie? You don't need that." I said trying to get her to give it to me. Instead she turns it up and downs it. "Oh no, if you want one go get your own." She said going for another one

" I don't drink." I told her.

" Oh boo why not?" She whined

" My dad is a drunk and a very aggressive one sometimes. I don't want that for my life " I answered

" Oh OK." She said nodding her head and smiled.

"You can drink one." Jack spoke up

" Ya Jayla you can." Jason gave his permission. I love it I thought.

I shook my head " I'm sorry." I said to Jason then turning to Jack " but..I. dont. drink." I said.

Jack got up and before I knew what was going on he was in front of me. He grabbed the back of my neck and squeezed. " You can have one." He said again tightening his grip.

I shrugged him off and moved away not to cause a scene. " No thank you" I said giving him a fake smile. I could tell by his face he wanted to do something but he didn't.

I walked back to the step and sat down beside Dayzie. He went back to the couch with a very drunk Jason.

Oh boy looks like I'm babysitting drunks tonight. I hated dealing with drunks. Thank God Mrs Jenny had taken her meds and went to bed. They could tear the house down and she wouldn't know it until she got up the next morning.