“You should befriend him. He might know about your dad.” Samantha giggled.

Kendall shook her head. It was in the past but her heart still hammered. Of course, it was just Sam’s words—maybe naïve or stupid at the time, when they first met Elijah.

‘No. Blayze. He’s Blayze now. He’s not your Elijah anymore, Kendall.’

She followed him to where Jack was buried. A clean granite headstone stood on his grave, with his name inscribed “Jack Mitchell,” together with the words, “Beloved son. Rest in the Lord’s bosom.” She placed the fresh white flowers and lit a fat small white candle on the grave. She offered a prayer for him, after making the sign of a cross, an indication that she was Catholic. She took a deep breath before she began to speak to him in her mind.

‘Jack, I’m so sorry for coming so late. I wanted to see you, you know that very well. But you didn’t wait for me. I guess… you couldn’t, huh? And then… I couldn’t see you before you were laid to rest. But I know you’ll say in your usual teasing tone, “It’s okay, bro. I understand.”’

She smiled a little. A sad one.

‘Are you okay here? The sun is warm here, isn’t it?’

She looked around. It was peaceful and quiet in spite of the many rows and rows of headstones she could see.

‘You love it, so your resting place must have been chosen well by your parents. You’ll not get cold here, I assume.’

Kendall looked at the setting sun and breathed deeply. It was clean and fresh. She could almost smell Jack’s sun-fresh and pine tree scent. It was like he was right beside her.

‘Don’t worry. I’ll take care of them from now on, as much as my strength can let me. I promise. But how I missed you, Jack! I missed your laughter, your grin, your teasing… I really wanted to hear and see all of it before you decided to leave! But of course, you were forced to leave abruptly… but I hope you’re fine… You are, aren’t you? It must be a good place you are in now. It must be peaceful, without pain and suffering… Have you seen my mom, by the way? Can you say hello to her, for me, please? Can you tell her that I missed her, too, so bad? And… and can you tell her that I’m hoping to see my dad soon? Wait, don’t tell her that. She might be angry with you. She didn’t want to see him anymore. She always told me that he’s dead. She told me many times that he drowned in the soup. How stupid was that? Who would drown in the soup, right? So, I knew she lied to me. She just said it so that I won’t look for him anymore, didn’t she?’

She sniffled. She hadn’t noticed that tears already rolled down her cheeks. She froze when someone dabbed a hanky on her face. She then looked at Blayze, and their eyes held for the longest moment since they saw each other again. She didn’t know how many seconds that passed by and who looked away first. Maybe it was both of them.

More tears formed and she snatched his hanky from his hand. He looked at her in surprise but just stared at her as she wiped away her salty tears. The warm liquid just won’t stop spilling! And she even had to blow her nose in that hanky that smelled like him. Why was she crying in front of him anyway? It wasn’t because they were over. This was because of Jack!

‘Tamarind candies!’ she thought angrily, instead of cussing.

She hated herself for being this weak. But she hoped he didn’t think she was crying because of him, although he was partly the reason why. And she hated him for that. Why would he appear in her life again and shake her vulnerable heart like this? She thought she was over him a long time ago. For goodness’ sakes! It was a decade ago! Why would her stupid heart feel that he left her like it was just yesterday?

“So, you had a boyfriend but he left you?” Jack asked, astonished. “He must be crazy! Why would he leave a girl like you? You’re a gem!”

It seemed that the wind whispered into her ears. She couldn’t help but chuckle. They had their conversation before and it was like Jack was right in front of her, in his serious mood, right now.

“I don’t know. He never told me why,” was her reply.

“I’d kick that guy’s head off if I’d see him!”

She burst into laughter. “You don’t even know him!” She turned serious as Jack didn’t laugh with her. “And I think you’ll never be able to do that. I don’t know where he is now.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that, bro. Don’t worry, you’ll get the right guy in the future. You’re destined to live a happy life. Trust me.” He winked at her playfully and then embraced her with warm consolation that only a loving brother could give.

Oh, how she would have loved to talk with him again. Just that. Talk. They had lots of things to talk about whenever they were together. She realized that she truly missed Jack. How sad it was that she never got to say goodbye to him. But then there were things that she could still play in her mind, reminiscing their precious moments together.

Blayze looked at Kendall, who was still laughing at this memory. He was confused to see her cry and laugh at the same time.

‘Yes, Jack couldn’t kick this jerk’s head off ever. I would’ve loved to see him do it though,’ she thought bitterly.

She looked at Blayze with resentment clearly showing in her eyes. She pushed the hanky in his chest and turned around to leave him.

‘Bye for now, Jack. I’ll see you again some other time.’