Jamie waited as long as he dared for Eddie at the usual corner. She usually would call if she was sick and he'd sneak over to her house early and bring her tea and something sweet for her throat or her belly. Today she didn't call but she also didn't come, Jamie headed off to school. Maybe she was running later and hre father drove her. That happened before.
Eddie wasn't at her locker, and she wasn't in her homeroom, Jamie asked permission to check under the guise of being concerned she fell or got hurt on the way to school. Sister Angela gave Jamie a sympathetic look and let him check. No Eddie...
At lunch, Jamie tried to get permission to call Eddie's house in the office, but while he waited he was surprised by Frank. "Dad, what happened?" Jamie felt sick, his father never came to school.
"Jamie, I was going to pull you out of class, son..." Frank took Jamie's hands. "Jamie, Mrs. Janko died this morning," Frank told him gently. "And no one has seen Eddie since."
The sick feeling intensified forcing Jamie to sit down. "Eddie, I know where she is but I have to go alone. "
Trusting his son on this as Jamie has always proved to be responsible Frank turned to the principal informing her of the situation. She nodded allowing Jamie to leave school in search of Eddie, hoping the young woman was okay.
Jamie immediately went to their spot in a playground overlooking the water. Panting from running he skidding to a stop quickly searching the area. His heart stopped not seeing her anywhere panicking.
"Where are you Eddie?" He thought hard taking off towards another nearby spot she talked about. When he arrived the spot was empty forcing a disappointed groan from Jamie. Taking deep breaths to stop his racing heart Jamie took off just walking around hoping he'd come up with something.
Not ready to give up Jamie walked all over town in search of his best friend each time leaving disappointed.
Around five Jamie started home disappointed he'd failed to find Eddie and worried where she is or if she was safe. Frank had talked two friends who were cops into starting a search for her when Jamie walked in.
Sighing, he headed upstairs closing the door behind in no mood for anyone. He'd barely stepped in when a voice called from the closet, "took you long enough."
Jamie jumped, spinning around as Eddie pushed his closet door open. She sat inside hugging his teddy bear wth her knees up to her chest, eyes red from crying. "I was out looking for you at our spot," Jamie said joining her.
"This is the first place I thought of, I always felt safe here with you." Eddie bit her lip to stop from crying clutching the bear against her.
Moving closer Jamie put an arm around her shoulders in a tight hug. "You'll always be safe with me Eddie. I'm so sorry about your mom."
"Thanks Jamie." Eddie rested her head against his shoulder sobbing lightly only somewhat comforted by Jamie holding her with his hands over his and their heads leaning against each other.
They sat together no words exchanged for twenty minutes with Jamie giving Eddie time to let it out. Every so often he would rub her arms or brush her cheek but never said a word knowing there was nothing he could say.
After a half hour Eddie finally picked her head up exhausted from crying. Their eyes locked briefly, when Eddie leaned closer kissing him. Jamie froze surprised but feeling her that close to him relaxed and returned the kiss softly.
He moved back brushing a piece of blond hair behind her ear never taking his eyes off hers. "Thank you for always being there for me."
"Anytime and every time," Jamie smiled. "You're my best friend."
"Just your best friend?" Eddie lowered her eyes hoping the kiss would spark something more in him.
"My best friend and Id like to be more but we can have that conversation another time when your feeling better. " Jamie understood the pain Eddie was feeling might be driving her decisions and as much as he'd love to become her boyfriend now was not the time to ask.
Eddie nodded in response understanding his view of not wanting to talk about it. She needed time to mourn and think with a clear head although the decision had already been in her mind. "We will but I'd really like to be your girlfriend, not just because my mom. I've been thinking about it."
Jamie kissed her softly in response cupping her hands. "Me too, we're officially dating. Now let's tell everyone your okay before someone calls the cops."
Laughing at his dumb joke Eddie allowed Jamie to help her up walking downstairs together. "Just one question how'd you get in?"
"You never lock your window." Eddie grinned following him to the kitchen.