The trees outside the window swayed with the wind. She remembered a time where she would have been outside, playing, laughing, running. But not now. She closed the curtain. She turned on the TV to watch yet another episode of 'The Price is Right.' She'd never been like this before. All the hurt, love, loneliness, and feeling inside of her just stirred around, making her sick. She walked to the bathroom to get another Tum. Her stomach was killing her. It hurt just to move.

"Kelsey, sweetie?" Her mom called up to her.

"Hmm?"

"Won't you come to the picnic?"

"No."

"At least come outside for a little bit?"

"No."

"Well, too bad. I'm telling you to come down and walk Henry. He's needs to get some exercise."

Kelsey threw on a pair of jeans, a tank top, and a newsboy cap. She walked down the stairs and grabbed the leash, and quickly attached it to Henry. He was getting fatter. She walked him down the street and to the park. She settled herself under a big oak tree and pet Henry. She looked around to make sure no one was near her.

"Do you miss daddy, Henry?"

Henry just sat there wagging his tail.

"I do." said Kelsey more to herself than to Henry. "Why'd he leave, do you suppose? It was probably my fault. Mom said they were going through a 'rough time'. Whatever. I miss him."

Kelsey felt tears rise to her eyes. This was the firs time she'd cried. It had been a week, and still she hadn't cried. She just sat under that tree and cried. She cried all the tears that were stored up for the last week. She didn't even notice Jason walking up to her.

"Kelsey?"

"Jason." She tried to clear up some of her tears.

"What's wrong?"

She looked at him and spilled it all. Not only did she tell him the facts, she told him how she felt. She told him how her dad had just packed a suitcase and left, without a goodbye.

"Wow." Jason said.

"What?"

"Kelsey, you gotta let go."

"What!?"

He doesn't deserve you as a daughter. You deserve better."

"No."

"Yes! He's just an ass. Leave it alone."

Kelsey looked in his eyes. He was right. Her dad was a jerk, and she still had her mom, and Jason.

"Thanks, Jason."

"Kelsey?"

"Yeah?"

"Wanna play some catch?"

Kelsey looked at the tennis ball in his hand.

"Sure." She and Jason spent all that afternoon talking and playing catch with Henry. This was the first time Kelsey had ever had someone to talk to. This was the first time Kelsey had ever had a friend. She then realized how important friends are. They are the ones who support you, love you, care for you, and are there to talk to. Without friends, she was nothing. When she talked to Jason, everything inside of her was released. All the bad things. And, that stomach ache finally went away.

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p.s. thanks so much to freespirit07 for the nice reviews!!!!!!!