Summer Love: Before the Spark

Chapter 17

Jesse exhaled quietly, fiddling anxiously with her fingers as she sat uncomfortably on a stiff chair.

She glanced up at her mother who laid peacefully on a hospital bed and exhaled faintly.

She didn't even bother to look at her brother who was across the room.

Jesse breathed rhythmically as she pondered deeply, her hand resting gently underneath her chin.

A tense fog hung in the air between her and her brother and it wasn't likely to get better anytime soon.

His word's reverted in her head, 'because you tore this family apart Jesse.'

What was he even talking about and what else is he hiding?

Jesse had never seen her brother so enraged before and she hoped to never see him like that ever again.

James was busy gazing out of the large window, his hands stuffed in his pockets.

His thick eyebrows were furrowed, concentration deep in his hardened gaze.

Jesse took a deep breath and fiddled with her thumbs.

"Why did you say I tore this family apart?" Jesse asked rather hesitantly.

James continued to gaze out the window, completely ignoring her question and exhaling quietly.

"James," Jesse said, knowing full well that he heard her.

"Don't worry about it ok," James said, dismissively, "It's not important."

Jesse rolled her umber eyes and his snappy tone bothered her.

"Whatever," She muttered quietly as she frowned.

James felt his tense muscles grow tighter as he clenched one of his fists.

Jesse stood up and walked out of the room because she couldn't stand her sibling's attitude.

She walked towards the lobby, her head swirling with questions.

She still couldn't believe the rage that was in her mother's eyes.

'I hate how you're my child.'

She felt her heart drop in her chest. Her mother certainly didn't fail to hurt her.

Not just physically, but emotionally too.

On top of that she felt worthless and guilty to say the least.

A heavy feeling rested in her chest and Jesse walked slowly down the dim hall.

She was starting to think that what happened actually was her fault and perhaps James was right. After all everything she touches seems to wilt at least in her eyes.

Jesse could still remember everything about her younger sibling. Her laughter, her smile, her outstanding personality.

When Jesse walked into the lobby, she slowly sat down and rubbed her stinging cheek.

"Tag you're it!" A little girl exclaimed, her face lighting up.

A seven year old Jesse immediately whipped around and chased after her younger sister, Evelyn.

Evelyn's long umber hair cascaded past the middle of her back and her beautiful eyes glimmered as sunlight reflected in her blue-green eyes.

Jesse was hastily catching up to Evelyn.

Evelyn dashed further into the woods and she ran towards something James had built near a creek a long time ago.

The rushing of the creek was swift and it was in Evelyn's sight.

"You won't be able to get me!" Her sister taunted cheerfully as she got ready to leap for the rope that James had hanged on a tree to get across the creek easily.

Jesse sprinted even faster and when Evelyn stumbled over something Jesse wasn't able to stop in time due to how swift and close she was to Evelyn. She ended up accidentally pushing her sister forward, who stumbled due to the sudden force.

Evelyn's eyes widened as she slipped into the creek, damp soil falling into the stream.

She attempted to grasp the rope, but it was too high for her since she wasn't able to jump.

Evelyn ended up hitting her head against something when she fell into the creek and nevertheless she was powerless against the swift stream and she didn't know how to swim.

Jesse stood there frozen and shock was written all over her face. She didn't know how to swim, so if she tried to save her sibling they would both drown.

Jesse's hand covered her mouth and her glossy eyes were wide.

She stood there like a statue, unable to move.

Jesse buried her face in her cold hand's and wished she would have done something to help her.

She felt extremely guilty because her sister, her biggest supporter had drowned because of her and no one in her family forgave Jesse either.

After Evelyn's death, everything went downhill especially for Jesse. Her mother and father spent countless hours arguing every day over the accident and her mother never failed to blame Jesse during the argument which in turn only added more fuel to the fire. Eventually the two divorced and shortly after, Jesse's dad died of a heart attack which left James and Jesse completely devastated.

"This is all my fault," Jesse murmured softly, "....I tore this family apart.."

A tear rolled down Jesse's cheek as she accepted what James had told her.

He hid that from me for years, she thought to herself.

At that moment, Jesse felt herself slip into despair and she hoped that one day her family would forgive her, but she doubted they ever would.