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| Subject: Re: New Novella! **Rain** Part One of Two....Feedback please | |
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Author: Kimmie |
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Date Posted: 21:57:00 06/24/02 Mon In reply to: Kira 's message, "New Novella! **Rain** Part One of Two....Feedback please" on 18:10:26 06/24/02 Mon Sorry about your grandmother. That was a good/sad story. I'm interested to see how you will end it. >Sorry I've been gone for so long. My grandmother >passed and although I didn't really know her, I >haven't really been into writing. But I wrote this >for a friend and it turned into something I really >loved. I hope y'all love it too. Don't kick me for >the ending. > > > > >Memories are just reminders of the world before >Yesterday, last month, last year are no more >Memories can be painful, especially when things change >When the light gives way to dark >And the crystalline blue eyes held only an >extinguished spark >When love turns to hate >And smiles to rage >Memories are just bittersweet images of the past >Happiness that doesn’t last. > >** > >A pall of gray covered the sky, ominous clouds rolled >in and instantly, it was dark. The evening’s >lingering light had been replaced with a spring >monsoon. Water rushed down gulleys and rain troughs. >Drops fell from the sky like the wishes of angels >plummeting to earth. It was dark, but beautiful. >Trees sagged with the weight of the water, but their >leaves were greener, their roots stronger. > >JC ran his fingers through his hair, frizzed by the >rain, turning up the collar of his sleek black coat as >he darted through the downpour, polished black shoes >splashing through puddles. His pushed a crimson >tongue through ample lips, tasting the rain. With a >childish laugh, he stopped running and strutted. His >gait was smooth. > >Jumping excitedly, he landed in a puddle, and water >streamed out around him, soaking his pant legs, >seeping into his shoes. He heard a woman curse and he >turned his head, pulling down his sunglasses. He >noticed the well-dressed woman, brushing the water off >her thin jacket and briefcase. “Oh God, I’m so…I was >just…uh, yeah, here, let me help you,” he stumbled, >slightly embarrassed. > >He yanked the belt of his coat out of the loops and >nervously began wiping off her leather briefcase. > >“You seem happy,” she laughed, stepping closer so her >large black umbrella covered him as well as herself. > >“It’s a beautiful day,” he smiled. He bent over to >wipe off her jacket, but stopped and blushed, handing >her the makeshift towel. “I’m really sorry.” > >She looked up, reading the mirth in his face and >shrugged her shoulders. “It’s okay.” > >“Here…” he pulled a few tulips out of his bouquet and >handed them to her. > >“Oh…how sweet, thank you…” > >JC laughed and continued walking. He reached the >large, rustic building and stepped inside. He found >that he couldn’t stand still. He smelled the flowers >and sighed, he was lovesick. A sense of warmth washed >over him as he thought of her. > >Soleil. > >She was definitely his beacon of life, his source of >joy for years. At first, they started out as friends. > For years, their lives were platonically intertwined, >connected by the simple solace of being themselves >around another person. No fronts. No lies. Just >each other. > >Soleil was beautiful. JC had noticed that from the >moment he met her a some obscure mall show in 1997. >She was Puerto-Rican and French, blessed with rich >olive skin, long black ringlets and piercing greenish >blue eyes. Her face was simple. Her nose was sleek >with a small bump in the bridge from a nasty fall >while ice-skating. Her lips were full and pink. JC >loved everything about her, even her faults. > >But an innate friendship changed into an intense love- >passionate and perfect in its own. Filled with a >level of joy, an abyss of light that he had never >known before. > >JC giggled as he nearly leapt off the elevator and >danced around the corner to her door. He knocked for >the effect of surprise and bounced up and down as he >heard her squeal as she opened the door. His eyes >expanded and his knees suddenly weakened as Soleil >stood in the doorway. > >Her long hair was wrapped in a taut bun at the top of >her head and a simple towel was draped over the front >of her body. JC leaned dramatically to the left and >licked his lips as the candlelight danced over the >round lines of her bottom. Soleil gently pulled the >flowers from his slackened grasp and grinned. > >“You…uh, you knew I was coming?” > >“Justin called looking for you.” > >JC wiped his mouth. “Justin who?” > >Soleil laughed seductively. “I was just taking a >bath.” > >“I gathered that, sweet thang.” > >She smiled at his manly infatuation with her scantily >covered body and turned around, revealing her bare >backside and walked into the spacious bathroom. “You >coming?” she inquired coolly, tossing the flowers on >the kitchen counter. > >JC was already in the apartment, locking the door. He >kicked off his shoes, ripping off his coat. With >trembling hands, he yanked the tails of his shirt from >his pants and unbuckled his belt. Before he knew what >hit him, Soleil had grabbed him by his tie, dragging >him into the bathroom. Kicking the door closed, she >pushed him against the wall, kissing him fiercely. >Her hands fumbled for his buckle and she began tugging >and scratching at it wildly. > >“Um…hey, girl…uh…” he struggled to talk in-between >kisses. > >His thoughts were muddled and his skin was on fire as >Soleil jerked off his dress shirt, ripping the fabric. > Her hands roamed over his strong shoulders. >“Baby…no, come on…” > >“What?” Soleil panted. > >“Slow down…” > >“This is what you want, right?” > >“Yeah…oh, stop it…” he moaned as she ravenously >nibbled on his throat. “Slow…let’s go slowly…I want >our first time to last for HOURS…and hours…” > >Soleil stumbled backwards and gaped up at him, lips >swollen and red. She secured the towel around herself >and fought to hide the embarrassment in her cheeks. >“I’m…” > >JC pressed a finger to his lips. “Don’t you dare say >you’re sorry. We’re going to have plenty of times to >have a quickie in some elevator…” he grinned. “But I >want this to be a marathon event.” > >JC pulled a long embroidered scarf from his pocket and >smiled softly. “You’re so beautiful,” he gasped in >awe. > >He draped the cloth over her shoulder as he slowly >walked around her. Soleil shuddered at its delicate >feel and closed her eyes as JC gently brought it up >them. He tied it behind her head, the ends dangling >against her back, sweeping over the soft skin between >her shoulder blades. > >Soleil trembled as JC pulled the towel from her around >her shapely body and her damp skin met the cold air as >he let his fingers caress her hips and curves of her >waist. > >Without sight, her body was alive with unadulterated >sensation. But she could hear him breathing deeply >behind her and she could FEEL. Her sense of touch has >catapulted to erotic sensitivity and she whimpered as >JC leaned forward, his hard chest against her back. >His musky cologne swirling around her. > >His lips blessed her shoulders, then her neck. She >arched her back in sheer pleasure and JC’s laugh >rumbled behind her. “This is only the beginning, >love…” > >** > >The rain fell, much like it had on that day when life >was created and a miracle was bestowed on two people >celebrating love…gently, passionately, tenderly. But >the wind was cold, cursed with a hollow rattle as it >cruelly swept the drops sideways and lightning sizzled >across the black sky. Thunder told ominous stories of >doom and destruction and JC trembled for they were all >true. The rain poured off the brim of his hat, >soaking him to the bone, but he was sheltered from the >cold. Grief and pain covered him in a fiery ache that >he embraced. > >JC tripped over the brick steps of Joey porch and >knocked quietly on the door, his head hanging limply >between his shoulders. > >Joey opened the door, a slumbering Brianna draped >lovingly across his body. Joey’s brown eyes widened >and he looked at the child with a glance that wasn’t >filled with awe and affection. “Man…I’m sorry. I can >put her in the crib…she was scared, thunder,” he >rushed to explain. > >JC glanced up at him, eyes red. Wet and trembling. >His gaze shifted to the child and he reached out a >hand, wrinkled by the rain, to stroke her curls. He >stopped short, his resolve splintering. Wordlessly, >he turned around, trudging down the sidewalk, biting >his lower lip. > >Joey called to Kelly and pushed Brianna in her arms, >darting out into the elements. He easily caught up >with JC and he struggled over his words. “I don’t >know what to say, man. You can come inside if you >want.” > >“Nah.” > >“Really, it’s no problem.” > >“I don’t want to look at her, right now, Joe.” > >Saddened, Joey closed his eyes, shaking his head. He >understood, but it still pained him. “I’m sorry.” > >“Who told you?” JC growled. > >“Chris. He called me about an hour ago…saying >she…lost the baby.” > >JC looked up at Joey, his eyes begging for answers, >but he could only stare. He could only think of the >beautiful child he lost before he had the chance to >grow or breathe. The man next to him was the epitome >of the proud papa, something he had longed to be for >the past three months. He hadn’t realized how much he >loved children until Soleil told him that she was >pregnant. And suddenly, he was enamored with every >bud of life that passed him. Wide-eyed and innocent >with this unfettered laugh straight from the heart. > >Now, it was gone. And he was empty. The future stunk >of raging emotions and tears of grief. JC was >petrified. But Joey. Joey got to be a father. He >got his miracle. > >JC felt a sense of disgust with his best friend and he >shook his head, almost indifferently. “I’m just gonna >go…” > >“Where?” Joey asked. > >“I don’t know…I can’t be around you…without.” He bit >his lip to keep himself from talking. > >Joey nodded. “I know. Call me.” > >Joey pulled him into a hug and JC tensed, knowing that >Joey was just trying to help, yet not wanting to be >touch or soothed for it just made the grief and anger >intensify. He brought his arm up, closing around his >taller friend for an instant before jerkily pulling >away. > >JC went back to the hospital, but Soleil had refused >to any visitors. > >He wandered helplessly down the rainy Orlando streets >and numbly knocked on yet another door, searching for >a sense of home, a shred of peace. Lynn opened the >door, clad in a sweater and knit pants. Her pale blue >eyes burned into his with motherly concern and JC >crumbled. Tears choked his voice and devastation >muddled his thoughts. Lynn gathered her to him and >rocked him back and forth. JC clutched the back of >her soft sweater and buried his face in her neck. >“I’m sorry,” he sobbed, trying to compose himself, but >the tears wouldn’t stop. > >Lynn, smelling of ivory soap and fried chicken, rubbed >his back soothingly and shushed him. “Shh, baby, it’s >okay…” > >“I wanted him, Mom. I wa…nted him so bad.” > >“I know you did.” > >JC shuddered. “I did this…did this…to her…my fault…” > >“No, baby, it’s not.” > >“She doesn’t…want me, Mama, she doesn’t.” He held on >tighter, fisting her wool sweater. > >“She’s just confused now.” > >JC let go when Lynn squeaked and tugged at his arm >softly. “Come on, baby. I’m cooking. You can put on >some of Justin’s sweats and…cry some more if you >want…” she laughed comfortingly. > >JC nodded. > >And he did cry. He cried until his belly burned, his >mouth was dry and his shoulders ached from sobbing. >He laid in the room that used to be his, bundled in >blankets that held years of memories, aimlessly >watching the rain plummet to the earth. > >He waited for sleep, but it never came. It >unmercifully avoided him, not giving him a chance to >escape the devastation and the constant stream of >blame. > >Taking a deep, shuddering breath, JC closed his eyes >against the agonizing loneliness and silence. He >didn’t want anyone but Soleil. He wanted to comfort >her, cry with her. Hold her. He needed her, but he >had no right to. She was hurting in ways he couldn’t >bare to imagine. > >JC jerked as he heard a cluster of loud footprints, >leaping up the stairs. “Ma!” It was Justin. > >“Ma! Come look at all the stuff I bought,” Justin >laughed. > >JC sat up, pushing the blankets to the floor. The >mirth dripped from the younger man’s tone cut deep >into JC’s heart. > >He didn’t know. > >With a fortified sigh, he stolidly shuffled into the >hallway and just listened as Justin, his son’s >godfather, dug through his shopping bags. > >“Ma, they had so much stuff. I know Sunny told me >that I shouldn’t buy anything with a distinct color >until she finds out the sex, but look at this. Isn’t >it cute? It’s a gown, but it doesn’t have the strings >at the bottom like they used to. It’s blue. But to >be fair I bought some pink and sea green and yellow >and lavender. Oh and this, you can’t tell C, but I >got him the bouncy seat. They had different covers. >So I got the blue and the pink. See, he can sit in >there while Sunny is in the shower and it vibrates and >has toys. Ma, I just know it’s going to be a boy. I >can feel it. I’m excited either way though.” Josh >leaned against the wall, but a bittersweet smile >graced his lips. > >“Honey…” Lynn’s voice was quiet. “Um…” > >JC peered into the room and his gaze immediately >locked with hers. “Mama, just let me tell him.” > >“You sure?” > >“Yeah.” > >Lynn bit her lip and walked past her son, hoping to >shield him from the sadness in her face. “I’ll be >downstairs, babe.” > >Justin frowned. “Sure, Mom.” > >Turning around, he quickly pushed the remaining bags >onto the floor, out of JC’s sight and sat on the bed, >folding up the tiny gowns with matching slippers. “I >went a little overboard. I’m just incredibly happy >right now…for you and Sunny.” > >JC forced a smile, but his stance was rigid. “I’m not >surprised…about the shopping thing.” > >“I didn’t know you were here.” > >JC tugged on the bottoms of the sweatpants that >swallowed him and pulled his robe closed. “I wasn’t >planning on it. I know you don’t like to share your >mom when she’s here.” > >Justin simply nodded, entranced with his purchases. > >“Justin. I have to talk to you, man.” > >“Shoot.” > >JC picked up one of the gowns and let the delicate >folds fall apart. His eyes watered as he fingered the >collar. The gown was a white, the thick, but soft >cotton was stitched together with gleaming, white silk >thread. It glimmered angelically as it detailed >designed on the collar, sleeves and bottom hem. “This >is beautiful, Justin.” > >Justin smiled. “I thought you’d like it.” > >“I do.” > >“You had to tell me something?” he prompted. > >JC nodded. He glanced up at the man before him, azure >excitement leaping from his eyes and he faltered- not >wanting to take such happiness away from him. In an >irrational, selfless way, JC hated to be the one to >take something he knew Justin clung to away from him. >He was already on shaky ground, without Britney, >without the spotlight. “You’re…doing okay, now? I >mean with the long break and the break UP…and >everything?” > >“Yeah. I’m okay. Why are you stalling? It’s >starting to scare me.” > >“Oh I’m sorry…” He paused, drawing in a long breath. >“Um, God. Soleil…uh, she was having…um some p-pains >last night and…this, this morning they got worse…so we >went to the hospital….and she had the baby. Today.” > >Justin blinked. Once, then twice. “What does that >mean, Josh?” > >“That means that he was born today and he died an hour >later.” > >“But…” > >“It was too early for him. Twenty one weeks is just >too early.” > >He sniffled. “Man, I’m sorry.” > >“It was a boy…just like you thought…” > >Justin was silent for several moments, sitting froze >on the edge of the bed, his eyes wide, his skin way. >Then, he sniffled, startling to life, remember to >breathe. He brought his arm up to wipe his eyes. He >looked around the room before he sprung up from the >bed. “God, I’m sorry. Just let me get this crap out >of here.” He snatched the gown from JC’s hands and >continued cleaning up the baby things in a dazed >frenzy. > >JC stared at his hands…empty and trembling and he >began to sob, in the haze and bags crinkling and the >shuffling of feet. He dropped to his knees and wailed >into his hands, bending over at the waist. > >Justin finished stuffing the packages in his closet >and closed the door. He sat down in front of JC, >folding his legs underneath him. Placing a hand on >his back, he sat quietly and patiently. > >His best friend wasn’t going to be a father. > >Wetness splashed on his cheeks, matching the cadence >of the rain splattering overhead. > >** > >JC sat captivated, his aimless sketching forgotten as >his eyes followed the little man around the yard. His >legs were short and in the long grasses his had to >waddle, picking up each leg to simply maneuver. An >eerie smile tugged at his lips and he craned his neck >as the boy scampered behind the bush. Seconds later, >he came barreling back, running on stubby limbs, >laughing bubblishly. > >JC closed his eyes, feeling the giggles dance in his >soul, in his heart. It rattled blissfully, bouncing >around, covering the dark burden of grief with >torrents of color, hues of love. The laughter >continued and his eyes parted as he stared at the boy. > > >The young one had his hands balled into fists, poised >just under his nose. His gaze moved from the creature >captured inside his hand to the man sitting just a few >feet away. JC was startled for his eyes of ethereal >blue were identical his. The little boy’s fingers >began to uncurl. > >JC’s head snapped sharply upwards as he felt a hand >clamp deftly on his shoulder. “What?” JC asked as he >peered up at Justin. > >Justin sat down beside him. “You’ve been out here all >day. Chris and Lance and everyone want to come over.” > >“They don’t have to ask. It’s not even my house.” > >His eyes whisked to the boy in the yard and he >stilled, the hairs on the back of his neck hissed to >an erect position as he noticed nothing was there. >Justin was talking quietly beside him, but JC ignored >him, standing up, sketch pad falling to the floor. He >jogged out into the yard, turning in circles. JC >stood in the middle of the yard, hovering over the >man-made lake and ran his fingers through his dark >brown hair. “Where’d he go?” he whispered. > >Justin frowned. “Who?” > >“The boy…he was right there…chasing the bug..” > >“Um, you know I have gates up. I don’t…I don’t see >anyone.” > >JC sighed brokenheartedly. “I’m losing my mind,” he >muttered. “I’m going inside. Just holler when the >guys get here.” > >Justin’s face crinkled in concern and he grunted in >response, watching his best friend trudge into the >house. > >He waded through the thick grasses and bent down, >flicking the grasshopper off the crude sketch. His >eyes moved over the drawing and he closed his eyes at >the picture of a little boy, grasshopper perched on >his fingers. > >** > >Legs burned. > >Arms buzzed. > >Breaths stampeded through dry lips as he pushed >himself forward. > >Worn, old tennis shoes slapped against the slick >pavement, but they soon left the man road, moving onto >a soft wooded path. The forest was quiet. Everything >was still, too still for peace to settle into JC’s >mind as he had been waiting for. It was the type of >quiet that made one’s body rigid with fear, because >demons were lurking. Peering behind the trunks of >trees, waiting to attack. To inflict. To torture. > >His eyes flicked about the forest. JC’s easily moved >up the steep hill, splashing through deep puddles of >rain. He turned his hat backwards before leaping over >fallen log. He wished he could run away from the >world that had suddenly crumbled around him, to reveal >his nightmares, realized. But that was childish >thought. He had been spoon-fed clichés for the past >few days and they made his head spin with dark >laughter. > >He didn’t have a choice but to take it one day at a >time. > >He didn’t want time to heal this wound. He wanted >apart of him to mourn his first child until he joined >him in heaven. Just because his life last mere >minutes did not mean he wasn’t worth remembering. > >JC soon found himself on the road back to Justin >house. He was looking forward to showering. Feeling >the hot water on his muscles, hopefully Lynn would >massage his shoulders and he’d fall into the blissful >black abyss he’d been longing for for the past three >days. > >He punched in the code of the gates and jogged up the >gravel driveway to the stately home. As he reached >the house, his loose, practice stride turned into a >sluggish walk. > >Soleil. > >She was leaning against her car. Her hair was >straight, tucked behind her ears as she stared >aimlessly and the churning gray sky. JC smiled. His >chapped lips split as he grinned from ear to ear for >the first time in days. He wiped the sweat off his >forehead and quickly ran to her. His heart beat >raggedly in his chest, but he welcomed the excitement. > > >He approached her cautiously. Taking in features >etched in crimson from crying, grieving. “Baby…” > >Soleil lifted her head and stared blankly into JC’s >eyes. “Hey…” > >“I could have…um, picked you up from the hospital.” > >“My mom did…I’ve been staying there…” her voice was >uncharacteristically subdued. > >“Oh…okay…” > >She stroked his cheeks that was splashed with husky >stubble. “Wow, you look bad…” she sighed, which could >have been mistaken for a laugh. A glimmer of emotion. > > >JC nervously adjusted his clothes- using the hem of >his shirt to wipe the sweat from his forehead and >neck. He turned his hat forward, creating shadows >over his face. Shadowing his gaunt cheeks and >red-rimmed eyes. “You look...beautiful…I missed you…” >he breathed, his fingers tangled with hers. > >“Um, I brought you some stuff. Um,” she picked up a >large plastic bag and began rummaging through it. >“Your…shaving kit, your favorite sweats and your >sleeping pills…I know you haven’t been sleeping. My >mom…made some of those meatballs you like and oh, I >made you some of those raspberry cookies. Your >favorites…” her voice began to shake. “I got you a >new toothbrush because I couldn’t find your old one. >I kept your favorite shirt, because it smells like >you…and uh…” she began to cry. > >JC took the bag from her, tossing it aside. “What’s >with all this stuff, babe?” he pulled her to him, >shuddering as he felt the tiny hump of her tummy press >into him, the way he once loved. “Why are you crying, >Soleil?” > >She clutched at the back of his shirt, squeezing the >soft cotton in his hands. “I love you...” > >JC smiled into her hair. He could feel his muscles >cramping and tightening, but he didn’t care. “I love >you too.” > >“…but I need you to move out of the apartment.” > >JC stepped back. “What?” > >“I…was thinking, in the hospital and at home…and I >can’t have you there.” > >JC’s world perished. Colors melded into gray. Sound >was smothered by suffocating silence. The barren >remains trumbled and twirld, whirring from side to >side. It took several taunt moment for his mind to >decipher her whispered words. But his heart was >bewildered, confused because she said that she loved >him. And love doesn’t hurt. It doesn’t destroy and >condemn. Love is happiness, blazing nights of >passion, holding hands, inspiration, love-filled gazes >and blinding intensity. > >This wasn’t love. > >This was something deceitful and conniving. JC’s >heartbeat quickened as he tried to rationalize the >sudden rift. “Baby, you’re just hurt and grieving and >struggling….you can’t possibly….shit, you don’t want >to do this…” > >“I do.” Soleil said with resounding determination. >Her fingers wrung the hem of her gray sweatshirt. >“Um, I just can’t…you’re a reminder of…everything, >right now. My mom is insisting that I see a >therapist, to keep everything sorted out. Deal with >this the right way…” > >JC paled, his mouth went dry and the Florida heat that >he was immune too, abruptly swelled in thickness and >he fought for each breath. “You’re…saying, this is my >fault?” he whispered. > >Soleil’s stormy emerald eyes flared open and she shook >her head vehemently. “No…not at all…” She nibbled on >her bottom lip, her eyes flitting back and fourth. > >JC pushed away from her, ripping her delicate fingers >from his arms and staggered backwards. Tears rushed >to his eyes and the exhaustion of the past three days >caught up with him. His legs were heavy, his feet >constructed of lead, limb of concrete. They slapped >against the pavement towards Justin’s front door, >towards his sanctuary away from the blinding agony of >his late son and the reality of her words. > >Soleil gaped at the man, broken, struggling for >breath. His back was facing her and he was simply >walking away. The pain and anger welled up inside of >her and she was waddling after him, ignoring the >motherly ache. “Don’t walk away…don’t you walk away >from me!” she warned her voice raising to a painfully >raspy octave. > >JC didn’t turn around, but he stopped his retreat. >“What am I supposed to do? Am I supposed to stand >there and accept the fact that you’re throwing me >away? Am I supposed to smile and nod while you blame >me for losing…” > >There was a disturbing, pregnant pause where it dawned >on JC that he did not know his son’s name. > >“…Quinton Scott…” she muttered the name. > >They were quiet, letting it linger in the air. > >“I don’t blame you…” she continued in the same meek >tone. > >JC whirled around and snorted disgustedly. “You do,” >his voice trembled. “I sat back and let you grieve >and be as irrational as you wanted, despite the fact >that it killed me that you wouldn’t let me be a father >and hold you and try to make things right. But I >didn’t complain or whine or pitch a damn fit when you >wouldn’t even let me see you. I did what you wanted, >no questions aked. Because I wasn’t the one that was >carrying him. But you can’t just push me away, you >can’t keep pushing me away and except for me to accept >it, because I can’t!” he explained in a flutter of >words, emotion dripping from his words. “I love you…” > >Soleil’s eyes narrowed and she advanced threateningly >towards him. “Oh, well should I just bow down to you >for being so selfless and so understanding?” she >hollered sarcastically. “I mean, wow, you stood back >and let me-- my pain-- cloud your judgment of what you >SHOULD HAVE been doing? You know me, Josh, inside and >out and you just let me sit in that hospital alone! >You didn’t have sense enough to know that I was just >angry...and disgusted with myself.” > >JC’s eyes blazed a bright blue fire as he forcefully >interjected. “How the hell was I supposed to read >subliminal messages, especially when you told the >battle axes they call nurses that? How am I supposed >to pull out that you wanted me there when you’d start >sobbing hysterically even time I tried to touch you. >I’m not Ms. Fucking Cleo…” > >She let out a primal growl, her entire body shaking as >she ran her fingers through her hair, closing her >eyes. When she finally spoke, her words were >measured, sharp and delivered with subdued intensity. >“You touching me is how this was started in the first >place.” > >She watched the anguish well upwards in JC’s eyes and >the adrenaline of their reunion vanish from the same >icy depths. The remaining color drained from his >cheeks. His face was blank. Shuffling in old >sneakers, JC moved, silently walking away. > >** > >On the day when the graying of clouds was a >blessing-every silver drop an answered prayer, the sky >was a clear, unpleasant blue. The sun glimmered and >gleaming narcissistically, sleekly illuminating the >black paint of limousines parked neatly underneath >emerald hills. The breezes were sickeningly sweet and >barren of moisture. > >Black suits, embellished with powder blue ribbons and >satin ties, were buttoned formally. > >Heads hung limply as sluggish strides pushed the >throng of family up towards the hill. > >Vivid flowers covered a coffin, their lively blossoms >hiding its austerely small size. > >Sunglasses covered crimson, teary eyes. Kleenexes >were tucked in trembling hands, dripping of tears of >grief. > >JC sat, his eyes trained on his puffy, swollen >knuckles. His mother sat beside him, her warmth >pressed against his side. She never shed a tear, >saving them for when he son didn’t need comforting, a >source of strength. Now, she was rubbing JC’s back in >smooth strokes. > >Justin, Lance, Joey and Chris stood behind Josh, >protecting him from the nosy reporters that challenged >the border of the private, secured cemetery. > >The words of the preacher sailed over slacked >shoulders, reaching some, but lost on others, but it >was the words just couldn’t comfort the loss of such a >young life. Nothing could. > >JC tore his tissue in shreds, shifting in his seat, >shuddering, sighing, anything he could do to push back >the tidal waves of infuriation. His mother glanced in >his direction. “Josh?” she asked. > >“…fine…” he replied robotically. > >He closed his eyes behind darkened lenses, squeezing >them tautly before he shuddered yet again, a hollow, >malignant ache coursing through him. He peered >upward, for the first time since the service had >started and watched Soleil, her eyes were closed, >streaked with tears as she held her grandmother’s >rosary beads tightly in her fingers, moving them back >and fourth. JC prayed, silently for her to simply >open her eyes, so he could relish in the orbs of >heavenly green and gold that could always soothe him. > >The parents were separated, one on each side of the >casket. Mourning alone. When they yearned for the >each other’s touch. JC sat forward on his chair, >longing to walk across the divide of death and hold >his girlfriend. At that very moment, Soleil opened >her eyes, the lids parting difficulty, heavy with >tears. She pursed her lips and quickly looked away, >grasping frantically for her sister’s hand. > >With a pained, suffering cry, he laid his head in his >mother’s lap and cried, not caring about what was to >come. > >** > >Justin was sprawled across the couch, still clad in >his black suit from the funeral, but his tie had been >loosened and the jacket was thrown haphazardly across >the room. He slept fitfully on the couch, his long >legs hanging over the high arms of white leather. The >phone sliced through the air, startling Justin from >his stupor. Rolling over and off the couch, he hit >the carpet with a thud. Opening his blurry eyes, he >patted himself down, searching for the annoying >disturbance. His eyes were blurry and the milky >twilight of the early morning hampered his vision even >more. Pushing aside beer cans, he finally found the >phone and put his to his ear. “What?” > >But the ringing continued. Justin frowned, rubbing >his head, before he realized it was the front door. >Stumbling down the long corridors in slippery songs, >he rubbed his head, running his fingers through his >tiny curls before opening the door, grimacing at the >sheering sunlight. “What?” > >Soleil glared at Justin, her concerned overshadowed by >Justin’s haggard appearance. “You’re drunk?” > >“Nope…jus’…yeah, little.” > >“Your best friend just buried his son and you’re >drinking?” she spat disgustedly. > >“I started when he started,” he muttered through >barely open lids. “Now what do you want?” > >“I need to talk to JC, apologize…is he here?” > >“Upstairs…” she moved to push past him, but Justin >caught the back of her sweater. “You wait here and >write me a check for the wall, he ruined…because of >you…” he sneered. > >Soleil scowled, but followed the direction where >Justin lazily flailed and noticed the cracked drywall. > Walking over to the two large dents, she ran her >hands over the ripples of impact and balled up her >hand into a fist. Placing it in the center of the >depression, she sighed guiltily. “Josh…” > >Justin entered JC’s room, not daring to turn on the >lights. The dwelling was dark. He leaned against the >doorway. “C…get up. Sunny’s here.” Justin rolled his >eyes at the silence. Moving towards the bed, he >probed the mattress. His eyes flaring open as he felt >nothing but a cold mattress. He dove for the light, >flipping the switch. > >Blinking repeatedly, he stared at the empty bed. “No, >you didn’t, C.” he whispered, moving to the >closet…empty. > >“Son of a bitch…” Justin ran down the hall, ripping >the phone off the base. Squelching the panic that >began brewing. > >Dialing frantically, he tugged at the newborn curls at >the nape of his neck. “Chris! Is Josh there?!” he >hollered into the phone. > >“No, he’s not…” > >“FUCK! Call Joe and everyone!” > >“Why?” Chris asked grimly. > >“Because he’s not here.,,I don’t know where he went, >man…he was here like, two hours ago…” > >Justin forced himself to sit on the bed as he dialed >JC’s house, then his favorite hotels where’d he like >to stay and write, then his family and friends. He >gripped his curls fervently as he came up empty every >time. > >Thirty-eight hours later, as the sky grayed, then >blackened and thunder rumbled in the distance, Justin >made one last, desperate call for JC had simply >vanished, whisked away from everything he’d lost. > >“Orlando Police Station, do you have an emergency?” > >Justin closed his eyes as Soleil sobbed on the bed >behind him. He stood at the window, gaping out at the >world through chiffon curtains. “Um, I’d like to >report a missing person…please…” > >And it began to rain. > >© Copyrighted by Kira, June 2002. [ Next Thread | Previous Thread | Next Message | Previous Message ] |
| Subject | Author | Date |
| Re: New Novella! **Rain** Part One of Two....Feedback please | Gina Z. | 21:59:59 06/25/02 Tue |