Bear

Chapter 30

"Get up." I heard Isaac say as he threw open the shades in my room. I winced at how loud he was and at how bright the sun was.

"What the hell, man!" I said as I put the pillow over my head.

"Don't 'what the hell' me. You have been an ass about waking me up for years now. I simply get to return the favor." he said pulling the pillow off of my head.

"You deserved it." I mumbled.

"You need to get up. It's been a week, it's time to get up."

"I have gotten up." I shot back as I grabbed the blanket and pulled it over my head.

"Going to the bar and getting drunk every night, and sleeping all day doesn't count."

"What the hell am I supposed to do? She said goodbye and refused to answer her phone. I asked her to call me, and she didn't, no matter how much time I have given her. She's done, and that's killing me."

"I know. I'm not asking you to go on with your life like it never happened. I just want you to put pants on, and maybe come eat some food. I don't even know if you have eaten anything since you have been here." He said.

"I'm not hungry."

"Then come drink water. You need something other than straight liquor going into your body."

"Ok, fine. I'll drink a bottle of water." I said as I pushed myself up. I held my head as I got more vertical and just sat on the edge of the bed. Isaac walked out to the kitchen, and I seriously considered just laying back down.

I looked around the room and found a pair of sweatpants and pulled them on. I squinted at the light as I walked to the kitchen and sat at the table. I put my head in my arms and laid down. I picked my head up slightly when I saw my sunglasses on the other side of the table. 

I grabbed them and put them on before laying my head back down.

"Drink." Isaac said putting a bottle of water in front of me along with a few Motrin.

I put the pills in my mouth, and drank the water. All the water. I guess I didn't realize how thirsty I was.

"I need to go run a few errands. Do you want to come with me?" He asked.

I thought for a moment, "Can we go to the mall?" I asked.

"Seriously?" He asked.

I just looked at him.

"Yeah, I don't care, just come with me." he said.

I quickly showered and got dressed. I put on a jacket and made sure to grab my sunglasses as we walked out the door.

Isaac drove to the mall while I reclined the seat and closed my eyes.

"Where should I park?" He asked, not knowing what I was wanting here.

"Main entrance is fine." I said.

We got out and walked in. I stopped at the mall map on the wall and looked for the store I wanted. I found it on the second floor to the right, and walked to the escalators. I walked up them as they moved, and Isaac blindly followed. He quickly caught on when I walked into Build A Bear. I found a normal brown teddy bear and grabbed a voice record button. I recorded what I wanted to say, and handed the bear to the twelve year old that worked there. He filled it and I put the voice recording in the hand of the bear. I picked a red heart and kissed it, placing it in the bear before it was closed. I quickly paid and we walked back to the car.

"Is there anywhere else you want to go?" Isaac asked.

"No. I'll ship it tomorrow. I'm not done." I said.

Isaac ran to the grocery store, but I stayed in the car. I knew I shouldn't, but I couldn't help pulling out my phone and looking at the pictures. I missed them so much.

When Isaac got back in the car, I handed him $50.

"What is this for?" He asked.

"For babysitting my ass." I said as I leaned back again and closed my eyes.

We drove home, and I sat down at the table with a pad of paper and a pen. I didn't know what to say. I don't even know what Mia told Izzy about why I'm gone. I just started to write.

Before I knew it, it was 6:00 and I knew Isaac was going to be hungry. I know I have been a pain this last week. Every night I went to the bar and drank myself stupid and had to call Isaac to come pick me up at one or two in the morning.

I made some chicken and vegetables for us. He could smell the food cooking and he came into the kitchen.

"Thank you for cooking." Isaac said.

"It's the least I can do." I said shrugging.

He got plates and silverware for us and we sat at the table. It was quiet for a minute before Isaac spoke.

"Have you heard from her?" He asked.

I shook my head 'no' as I pushed the food around my plate.

"Have you tried to call her again?"

I shook my head again. "She made it clear she wouldn't answer. I'll just wait for her... If she ever does call me."

...

The next day I took Isaac's car when he got home from work, and went to UPS. I got a box, and put the bear in it, and the letter. I taped it up and went to the counter.

"What's the address?" The older guy behind the counter asked.

"4367 Mountain Grove Way"

"State and zip code?"

"Montana, 59901."

"Ok, who is it being sent to?"

"Isabelle Clark." I said, clearing my throat.

"Do you want regular ground, or expedited shipping?" He asked.

"It just needs to be there by Monday." I said.

"Regular ground will get it there on Monday, is that ok?"

"Yeah. Can I add tracking to that? Just to know it got there ok?"

"Yes, it's an additional $15." He said

"Perfect." I said, handing him my card.

I drove home in silence. I couldn't listen to music without thinking about the girls. Then again the quiet did the same thing. I pulled up to his little condo, and got out. I walked inside and Isaac was watching a show I had never seen before. I sat down next to him and we both just watched. That's one thing I appreciate about Isaac. He gives me space, and doesn't push stuff out of me.

When the show was over, I grabbed a bottle of water and went back to my room and laid down on my back on the bed. I just watched the ceiling fan go in circles for a while letting my mind empty as much as I could. I put my left hand in my jeans pocket and felt the necklace. I pulled it out and looked at the three stones. When I bought it, I made sure it was on a twenty inch chain. I got up and walked to the mirror in the room. I always had necklaces on, so what was one more? I put it around my neck, and tucked it under the collar of my t-shirt.

If I couldn't have her, I could at least have her with me.