All My Love

19

John brought me back up to his room. I immediately sat down on the bed. He walked over to me, handing me a mug and. "Would you like some tea?"

I nodded as he made his way back over to the kitchen area and put a kettle on the mini stove.

He poured himself some first and them came back over to me. "So, you haven't said much. I know this whole thing is confusing and all, but I want you to talk to me. You can tell me your problems. I'll listen and your secret will be safe with me."

I just shrugged as I lifted the mug up to my face so i could feel the warm steam.

"Louisa," he said, moving closer to me,"please. If you're not happy, then... Why am I even a part of this?"

I took a deep breath. "There's something wrong with this. Jimmy told me he loved me and that he always has, every since he laid eyes on me. That feeling can't just go away. And I knew he wasn't just making it up. The sincerity in his eyes and his voice was just so pure. Why would he just let me go like that? to his closest friend?"

"I don't have all the answers. But he told me what he told me and he wouldn't have said that if he didn't mean every word."

"But what did he mean by 'unsolved issues'? James and I have plenty more unsolved issues than we do."

I could tell John was becoming exasperated at my constant questioning. Then he answered,"please, couldn't you just let it go? We're finally together. Isn't that what you wanted?"

"But if Jimmy is still-"

"Louisa!" he lashed out. I jumped at his sudden outburst and glared at him angrily.

"Sorry," he apologized softly,"it's just that... I've waited so long for you. I'm happy, so why can't you be, too?"

I nuzzled up against him and wrapped my arms around his waist. "I'm sorry. I guess I'm still a little shaken up about, well, everything."

"It's okay. I guess that's normal. But hey, let's go get something to eat. I'm starving."

We walked out of the room holding hands. We immediately ran into Robert. He only looked at us with a confused face as he pranced on his way back to his room, singing to himself.

John chuckled. "Come on. I'd like some waffles right now."

As we made our way down the stairwell, Bonzo popped out of nowhere us in our tracks. "What are you two kids doing?"

"Going to get breakfast," John replied.

"Oh, no, no," Bonzo protested as he tugged on my shirt sleeve,"Louisa's got to stay away from you and Jim until you solve your conflicts."

"No, they've solved it. Jimmy's fine," I answered, pulling back my arm to release Bonzo's grasp.

"Hmm," he pondered, staring at the ceiling and stroking his mustache, "John, could I speak with Louisa alone for a moment?"

John cautiously nodded, looking a bit unsure.

Bonzo pushed John out of the stairwell and pulled me over to the farthest corner (I guess so John couldn't hear us at all)

"How do you know it's over?" He started off.

"Jimmy told me."

"Did he?"

"Well, he told John about everything. But I- I saw him give me a thumbs up when John kissed me...?

"What's that supposed to mean?"

"I- I really don't know. I just-”

"You just want this conflict to end, huh? So you just picked one?"