Monica laid in bed that stormy night, thinking about what had happened that day. After Taylor's apology and her "acceptance" of it, things had pretty much gone downhill. She had ignored Taylor, though he tried many times to speak to her. Isaac had also tried to talk to her on Taylor's behalf, but she had tuned him out as well. Even Jamie could not get through to her that day. To make matters worse, Jamie and Isaac didn't seem to know what to say to each other. They hardly spoke except about the problems with Monica and Taylor. All day it had gone on like that, none of them knowing what to do. Now Monica was lying there in bed, listening to the thunder, and she finally decided what she had to do.
I can't stay here any longer, she thought. This is just hurting Taylor and me. Even Jamie and Isaac are affected by my stupid feelings that won't make up their mind what they are for Taylor. If I stay, it will only get worse.
Quietly, she got up out of bed, careful not to wake Jamie. She took a sheet of paper and a pen and wrote a quick note, leaving it by the bed. She rearranged the pillows so it would look at first glance like she was still there. When she had done this, she crept out of the room, down the stairs, and cautiously out the back door into the rain.
As Monica left the Hanson yard, she breathed a sigh of relief. Now the problems between Jamie and Isaac would be solved, and they would finally be happy together.
Monica didn't know where she was going; all she knew was that she had to get away. Away from Taylor and everything involving him. She should go home first, she decided, and then she would be off to wherever it was she was going.
Jamie's eyes blinked open as the thunder crashed, and she lay there half-awake for a few seconds. Then she remembered the dream, and immediately woke up completely. There had been no pictures in this dream, only a sense of absolute urgency...a feeling that she must make things right with Isaac before it was too late. Too late for what? she wondered, but the feeling still inside her did not say. But all of a sudden, she felt another overwhelming urge...to go outside. At first she ignored it, thinking, There's no way I'm going out in this weather! But the urge would not be ignored. So she finally got up out of bed and turned to leave the room. Then she remembered Monica. She turned back to make sure her friend was all right. Jamie smiled as she saw that Monica had buried herself completely in the covers. She turned again, and left the room.
As Jamie stepped outside, her first thought was that despite the storm, or maybe because of it, it was a beautiful night. Her next thought was, Why in the world am I out here? She scanned the yard, looking for answers...when she saw Isaac standing there.
With her arms wrapped around her shivering body, Monica wandered the streets. She'd gone home and grabbed some clothes and a coat and began her journey. The sun was just rising, the storm creating a beautiful rainbow as the sun hit the grass and peeked out of the clouds. She was hungry and tired, but determined that this was the right idea. Running away and leaving Taylor, Jamie and Isaac would solve everything.
She was so wrapped up in thought that she ran into someone. She managed to catch herself on the arm of the person. "Well, hello, Monica...." a familiar voice said.
"Oh, umm, hi," Monica stated, intending to turn and run. This was the last person she'd ever wanted to see.
"You look like you're on the run."
"None of your business," Monica uncharacteristically snapped. This is Taylor's fault. Look what he's done to me! she thought.
Laughter filled the empty street. "Life too much for ya?" Monica tried to run, but the woman grabbed her arm. "Breakfast?"
Even though Monica wanted to get away from her, breakfast sounded awfully good. Plus, she couldn't go anywhere in this storm. Reluctantly, she nodded and followed the woman inside the little cafe.
"Isaac?" Jamie said softly as she walked over towards him. He was leaning against the house, obviously lost in thought. He looked up at the sound of her voice.
"Jamie?" he asked. "What are you doing out here?"
Jamie smiled. "Very likely the same thing you are, Isaac," she said. She paused for a minute, not sure how to begin. Isaac was doing the same thing, struggling for the words to say. Finally, Jamie began, "I..I had a dream last night."
Isaac's mouth dropped open. "A dream?" he asked. "Was it...um...okay, this is gonna sound crazy, but was it--"
"This sense of urgency," Jamie finished, "that something had to be done before it was..."
"Too late," they finished together.
They looked at each other for a minute, neither one knowing what to say. Finally, Isaac asked, "Was that the first strange dream you had? Or was there another one, the night..."
"...Karen sneaked into your house," replied Jamie. "Yeah, there was one then too. I apologized for what I'd said...and you..." she trailed off, not knowing whether or not to continue.
Isaac smiled in relief. Jamie had had that dream. She did know how he felt. Isaac leaned over and took Jamie's hand in his. Pulling her close, he whispered, "I told you I loved you."
"Yes," whispered Jamie, not knowing what else to say and unable to speak a word as Isaac pulled her into his arms for the first time.
"I meant what I said, Jamie," Isaac said softly, stroking her hair. "I love you."
Jamie hesitated for a second. She had heard those words so many times before, and every time they were insincere. But then she looked up into Isaac's eyes, and she knew. She knew that he was sincere, that he really cared. And she knew that she would always love him. She relaxed in Isaac's arms, and whispered, "I love you, too."
They kissed there in the rain as the sun came up, bringing with it a rainbow.
When Taylor awoke the next morning, visions of a dream flashed in his head. But he couldn't remember anything. He rolled out of bed and walked down the hall to consult his brother, but his brother's room was empty. So was Jamie's. Taylor's gaze fell on a piece of paper by Monica's bedside. He debated about picking it up, knowing how mad she was at him, but he couldn't help himself.
Frantically, Taylor ran from the room, tears blinding him, and collided with someone coming up the stairs. "Taylor?" Jamie asked worriedly.
Taylor kept running. He flew past her and rushed through the front door. His legs carried him into the backyard, where Isaac was sitting underneath a tree. Taylor slid next to him. "Ike, oh no, she's gone..something awful...what did I do...?" Taylor couldn't stop the flood of questions.
"Taylor!" Jamie yelled breathlessly. "Taylor, what's going on?"
When she reached his side, he handed her the letter...and Jamie slid to the ground beneath the tree, bursting into tears.
******
"So, what brings you out here?" Karen asked, dumping some ketchup on the fries at the little cafe.
"Oh, I...Jamie needed something," Monica mumbled, looking down at her untouched plate.
Karen smiled to herself. Just where I want her, Karen thought. She's distressed and has no idea what she's doing...she'll be my perfect revenge for Jamie...
*****
Isaac had never seen Jamie cry. He and Taylor just watched her as she clutched Monica's letter, now tear-stained and smeared, to her heart, sobbing. Isaac didn't know what the letter said, but from the looks on his companions' faces, he knew it was awful.
Jamie's tears upset him. They pierced at his heart. He wanted to go to her and hold her in his arms, but he had a job. He had to be strong for everyone and hold everyone together. He watched as Taylor crawled into Jamie's arms, whispering, "Jules, what did I do?"
The scene was too much for him. Isaac's own eyes spilled over, and together, the three of them clung to each other. Isaac made sure Jamie didn't see his tears, but then she managed to whisper to him, "I know you're crying...I can feel your tears on my face..." Isaac pulled her close to him, and the three of them sat in stifling silence beneath the tree as the sky darkened above them.
Chapter 17
Forbidden Angels
Story Page
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