Hello. Goodbye - Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten.

"Well, I like her, she has the prettiest voice I've ever heard."
"I don't care if her voice is pretty. I don't like her."
"Me neither," chimed in the boy.
"She doesn't belong here," Gabby said snottily.
"Why did he have to bring her home, anyway? Now mom likes her too," exclaimed the boy.
"You're just jealous of the attention she gets from him," Libby explained.
"He hasn't even made time for us since she's been around," Gabby explained.
"He still picks you up from practice and brings us everywhere we need to go," Libby defended once more.
"Oh go away, Libby!"

Libby stalked out of the room crying.
Lily had overheard the whole conversation through the walls of Jamie's room. She padded out the door just in time to see Libby's tear-streaked face.
"Libby..." Lily softly said.
Libby ran to her room and spat out a, "leave me alone," before slamming the door.

Jamie's mother witnessed the door slamming and asked, "what happened?"
Lily shrugged, "I guess they got into an argument."
"Siblings," their mother sighed.
"I wish I had some growing up."
"Aww honey, I never had any either..." Jamie's mother commiserated.
"I guess you made up by having four kids."
"Yeah, I guess I did. Why don't you come down and get a snack to eat?"
"Oh it's ok. I think I'll go for a walk and maybe see if my cousin or her friends are in."
"That'd be nice. Just call if you need anything."
"Thanks so much," she said as she gave her a hug, went downstairs and got going.

Lily had been there for a few days now and it was almost Friday. True as Gabby and Michael exclaimed, Lily had taken Jamie away from any extra time he would usually a lot for his siblings. But, Libby was right about Jamie not failing in his chauffeuring or brotherly duties.

Presently, he was at the seniors home for an art lesson and he requested that she stay home this one day.

She didn't mind at all. This was her vacation anyway, so she was allowed to loaf around in Jammies as much as she wanted.

Of course, staying at Jamie's home wasn't an option right now. Poor kids, she thought. Her cell phone buzzed a few times. She just ignored it and kept going.

By the end of her walk, she decided that continuing on with pretending that there was no end to this vacation, was bad for both of them.

His family was his life. His art was his passion. He needed to focus on those first before they could be anything more.

And so, she hopped into a cab, stopped off at a store to buy some writing supplies and was dropped off at the old age home.

She found him in the art room alone; his class had finished. Jamie looked up from his easel happily surprised.
"Lily!"
She smiled back brightly, forgetting why she was here. And then just when they had their arms wrapped around each other and lips locked, did she remember.

"Wait," she pleaded against his mouth.
"Stop," she said, lightly pushing him away.
A frown creased his brow and she gently smoothed it with her index finger.
"What's the matter, Lily?"
"I have to go..."
She didn't want to.
"You don't have to. You're not schedule to go back until next week."
"This," she gestured at the two of them, "You and I know we'll have to do this some time."
"Do what?"
"Say Goodbye."
"Why now?"
"It's just time."
"What about Michael's play?"
"He'll understand," she answered, knowing well that the boy would be doing somersaults after her departure.

Her heart broke at the sight of the man she loved sitting in a chair before her with his head in his hands. The devastation was unbearable, she had to do something.
She knelt down between his knees, and willed him to look her in the eye.

"If we're meant to be together, we will be."
He shook his head. He had believed it at one point too, but he didn't think he'd have to take the real leap of faith today.

Tears began to cloud Lily's eyes as her heart was torn between staying or leaving. Jamie could see this wasn't easy for her. He had been struggling with this for a few days as well.

"When are you leaving?"
"Before you get home."
"Why won't you wait for me?"
"I might be tempted to stay another night," she attempted a smile, but more tears fell over.
"We're not done."
"No, we're not."
"You'll call?"
"Of course. But I'll understand if you don't answer. Focus on your show, Jamie. And your family."
"What about you?"
"I don't know. I'll have to see where work takes me."
"Good luck."
"Good luck to you, too."
"So I won't be seeing you, then?"
"Not for a while..."
"Take this. But don't open it till you get home."

He tucked the piece of paper in her jacket pocket as he bent his head to give her one long goodbye kiss.

"I'll miss you."
"Goodbye, Jamie."
"Goodbye, Lily."

More tears fell over her cheeks as she ran away to save herself from any more pain. It didn't work, of course.

Once she was back at Jamie's place, everything she had to unpack reminded her of a place or event she went to with Jamie; she gave up on it and tossed the bag in the corner of her bedroom.

It had taken her three times longer than usual to get home. She couldn't focus on the drive, so she had to stop over more often.

Before she left, Lily wrote a card to each of the teenagers, the parents and a special one to Jamie.

Libby - Thank you. I would have loved to have heard you play some time. And thank you for trying to defend your brother. You are a great sister to Jamie. I wish we could have learned more about each other.

Michael - Good Luck. I know you'll be excellent out there on stage. I heard you take after your big bro. Wish I could be there for your play. Your brother would never miss your play for the world. Knock 'em dead!

Gabby - I'm sorry. I wish we could have learned more about each other. I'm not sorry that I met your brother... He's lucky to have such a great family who loves him. Take care of him. He loves you no matter who he's with.

The parents - Thank you for all your generosity, hospitality and plentiful advice. You are great parents. Jamie and the others are very fortunate to have you.

Each card was left under each of their doors, but she handed the one for their parents.

When it came to writing Jamie's she had too much to say. She decided her message should convey everything she felt.

With that in mind, she simply wrote:

Dear Jamie,

I think I love you.