Photographs and Memories.

Chapter 4

It was too early for lunch, so Reid and Jessie settled for coffee at a nearby coffee shop. In fact it was close enough for them to walk. They went over the basics of conversation; their general well-being, that of their parents, the weather and the usual small talk.

"You're still on decaf," Reid noted after they had placed their order and the waitress was gone.

Jessie giggled and nodded.

"I remember that one time when you accidentally got caffeine in. You were horrible. No one could keep up." Reid laughed at the memory. "You ended up in the ER."

"Yeah, but only because I fell and hit my head really hard." She joined the delight of the memory.

Reid laughed, "Yeah… I remember the nurse kept asking if you have a concussion… It didn't matter either way… there was no putting you down… even on a chair. You where bouncing all over the place. All covered in blood."

"Oh, she still works there. I saw her last Christmas. She doesn't like me." Jessie said.

"What did you do this time? Fall out of the Christmas tree?" Reid joked.

"No I jumped out." She said with a devious smile. Reid shook his head in disbelief.

Their coffee arrived and they went to silence for a few sips.

"Hey, do you still write to your mom every day?" Jessie asked.

"Yes. I visit her more often now, but I still write. She's going to be so happy to hear about you." They fell to silence again.

"Do you get my flowers?" Reid asked suddenly, thinking about his habits.

"Yes and I burn them immediately," Jessie said with a sudden acidity. Anger and pain flashed in her eyes and she tried to recover herself.

"Why?" Reid asked confused.

"You know why, Spencer."

"But you love Hyacinths. The purple ones. I know from the book and you always said…"

"You know why, Spencer." Jessie repeated firmly. Reid searched his mind. He was no longer confused about why she burned the flowers, he could imagine why. In fact, he knew exactly why.

"You're mad at me…?" He stated more than asked. Jessie merely nodded. She was staring into her coffee cup. Her mind was clearly elsewhere. Reid suddenly felt angry and he asked, "Why did you come here?" insensitively.

Jessie was still in a cloud when she answered, "I'm getting married."

Reid felt a blow to his heart. His anger subsided and fear and anguish overwhelmed him.