Long Time, No See

IIIII: II

Very long chapter ahead...

Denise

"What happened when I left town, Denise?" He urged with desperate neediness in his voice in search of my answer.

"Look, Denver. Whatever happened back then, it doesn't matter I'm over it-"

"No, Denise you're not. If you were you wouldn't have frozen up like how you just did when I first asked. Whatever happened back then I want to know!" He demands a persistent gleam in his eyes.

I could feel the memories resurfacing alongside my frustration at how weak I was back then. But I brush those away and direct my anger towards the pestering man in front of me.

"For what?! What does knowing about back then do for me or you?! Nothing Denver, it does absolutely nothing; it won't change anything! So just drop it!" I snap and watch his head jerk backward from the shock of how hard I'd brought my fist down on my desktop.

He sighs and combs his fingers through his hair - a habit I'm steadily learning that he does when he's stressed.

"Denise, I-I know you probably feel like you've dealt with whatever happened, but I need to hear this for my peace of mind. You know how keeping the death of my parents away from you hurt you, but you appreciated being told nonetheless so you could deal with it and move on. I need you to tell me what they did, so I can deal with my guilt and hopefully move on too."

"That was different Denver. Your parent's death wasn't your fault and it was important to me-"

"And this is important to me. I want to know what happened."

"Please." He urges again.

I take in a deep sigh and look at him, really look at him, seeing the blatant desperation on his face. He won't have any peace of mind without it and I can't add to his stress...

"Okay. Fine. But I don't want any pity or anything like that Denver. Whilst I tell you this I want you to remember that I'm fine now."

He nods stiffly and I sigh knowing that's about as much confirmation that he's willing to give me right now.

Alright then, I guess I'll start from the top.

___________

Something's different.

Denver hasn't come to see me for ages. And I don't see him at school or even at our secret meeting point up on the top of the park hill anymore.

Momma gets real quiet when I ask her about it but then when she thinks I'm not listening I hear her and Grandma whispering about me.

Grandma says "You gotta tell her Jada, that poor girl is over there killin' herself over this!" And then Momma says back "I know, I know, I'll tell her soon but not now, its too damn soon."

Tell me what?

I just wish someone would tell me what's going on.

Did Denver move? Did he not wanna be my best friend anymore? Why would he go and not tell me?

At school, things have been going bad now that Denver isn't there to help me anymore.