Chapter 02.5

Before I realized it, I’d wandered into Uncle Steve’s neighborhood, to the tree where Jenny and I used to stand. I could see her smile in my mind—only now, she was smiling at someone else.

I walked past Uncle Steve’s house. The lights were on, and there was a lot of movement inside. The whole family must’ve been there—probably to meet her new guy.

I turned to leave, but someone called out behind me.

“Johnny?”

It was Dr. Cox. I turned around.

“Same old coat,” he smiled, offering a handshake. “Want to come in, since you’re already here? Grandpa would love to see you.”

“I don’t want to intrude. Maybe not now, but thank you,” I said.

“Got plans for New Year’s Eve?” he asked gently.

“I’ll be sleeping,” I replied.

“The party at Hiroto’s sounds interesting,” he said calmly. “A lot of the kids will be there.”

“I’ll think about it. Thanks,” I replied. He nodded and went back inside. I started walking toward home.

Except… I didn’t go home. I went to Brian’s instead. He was waiting for me, looking curious.

“You look like hell,” he said after pulling me into a hug.

We sat down to talk. Mayoko was in Japan again. He told me about her, his new video game, his dad’s car—but I could tell he was holding back. I knew him that well.

“You want to ask me something?” I said.

“How’s school? The city? The girls?” he asked, but I knew that wasn’t what he really wanted to know.

“Everything’s great. School’s amazing. The tall brunette knows everything,” I grinned like always. “I’m happy.”

“Uh-huh. Got it,” he said. “After the holidays, I’m going to an exhibit. I want to buy a sculpture for Mayoko. Want to come?” He asked, changing the topic.

“Sure. I’ve got nothing else going on.”

The holidays dragged on. Shannon’s words kept breaking through more and more often, and I was starting to lose my grip. The family, suspiciously, stopped pestering me. I didn’t seek anyone’s company either—mostly I disappeared into my room to study or sleep. During meals, I sat quietly, listening to the conversations. Thankfully, even Kevin and Will didn’t talk to me much.

“Johnny,” said my short, round grandma—she was an exception. “You don’t like my homemade cream cheese?”

“I do,” I said. “It’s really good.”

“You barely touched it,” she said, worried.

“Mom,” my dad warned gently. “Leave him be.”

“No, Andrew,” Grandma insisted. “Johnny’s barely eating. This isn’t right. What’s wrong, son?” she asked, turning to me. Dad sighed quietly.

“Nothing,” I smiled. “I’m full.”

“After one small slice of bread?” she asked skeptically.

“Yes,” I said. “I’m full. That’s enough. I’m going to my room.”

I walked up the stairs in silence, but I still caught part of the conversation behind me.

“Andrew, this isn’t good,” Grandma said to her son.

“I know,” Dad sighed. “But he still hasn’t hit rock bottom.”

I closed the door. I didn’t care what they were talking about—I just wanted to sleep.

When I was awake, Shannon’s words haunted me.

When I slept, I dreamed of Jenny.

Neither state brought peace.

---

After the family left, I went with Brian to the exhibition before New Year’s—just to do something other than study.

The exhibit was in the same city gallery, but this time the artist’s works were displayed across several rooms. The sculptures were the same style—gray, monochrome. Some reached knee height, but most were small enough to sit on a table as decoration.

“Same artist as last time?” I asked as we walked around.

“Yeah. Mayoko’s obsessed with them. I want to get her something small,” Brian said.

I looked around, and my eyes landed on a small sculpture. It was titled The Reading Girl, and it felt oddly familiar. It showed a girl sitting with a book in her lap. It wasn’t bigger than a horizontal vase.

“Have we seen this one before?” I asked. “It looks familiar.”

“Now that you mention it, yeah. But I think it’s a new piece,” Brian said, leaning in for a closer look.

“It is,” he confirmed. “Says so right here. But it’s already sold.”

We kept browsing when I suddenly heard Jenny’s voice.