Part 3: Chapter 5
Nathan and Jamie were in the living room doing pushups.
"Daddy," Jamie said. "When should we stop?"
"Oh come on now son," Nathan said. "We've barely even started."
"We've been doing push ups for 30 minutes," Jamie said. "I'm pretty sure we worked off that chocolate cake."
"Okay Jamie," Nathan said. "On the count of 3. 1, 2,3."
Nathan and Jamie stopped doing pushups and lied down on their backs.
"I think I lost weight," Jamie said.
"That was the whole point," Nathan said.
"I know," Jamie said laughing.
"Hey Jamie," Nathan said. "I want to talk to you about what you said in front of Chuck earlier."
"There's noting to talk about," Jamie said.
"I know you're mad about what Chuck did to Lily, but I think it's time you forgive him," Nathan said.
"I can never forgive him," Jamie said. "He broke Lily's heart."
"Lily forgave him," Nathan said.
"Well I'm not Lily," Jamie said.
"Remember when those kids were picking on you?" Nathan asked.
"Which time?" Jamie asked. "That happened more than once."
"You were in middle school," Nathan replied. "You were sitting at the lunch table and these kids came over to you and started making fun of your haircut."
"I remember," Jamie said. "Chuck told them off."
"Another time you were driving to school and your car died," Nathan said. "Who picked you up from the auto garage?"
"Chuck," Jamie replied.
"When that bully shoved you down when you were 5, who yelled at him and told him to stay away from you?" Nathan asked.
"Mommy did," Jamie said. "The bully was Chuck."
"Oh yeah," Nathan said. "Well 2 out of 3 isn't bad. Look, I know what he did wasn't the best thing to do, but he's your best friend. He's miserable without you, and you're miserable without him."
"No I'm not," Jamie said.
"Yes you are," Nathan said.
"You're right," Jamie said. "I am miserable. I need my best friend."
"So what are you going to do?" Nathan asked.
"I'm going to get my best friend back," Jamie said.
Jamie didn't move.
"Son?" Nathan asked.
"As soon as I regain feeling in my legs, I'm going to get my best friend back," Jamie said.
Later, Chuck was sitting outside of his house on the porch steps. Chris came outside and sat next to him.
"Isn't it kind of cold out here?" Chris asked.
"It's not kind of cold," Chuck said. "It's freezing."
"Then why are you out here?" Chris asked.
"I'm thinking," Chuck said.
"Well why don't you come inside where the heater is on and drink some hot chocolate Chris Keller made?" Chris asked.
"You actually made something that didn't catch on fire?" Chuck asked.
"Fine," Chris said, "it's instant."
"I'll come inside and drink the instant hot chocolate in a minute," Chuck said.
"Okay," Chris said.
Chris patted Chuck on the back, stood up, and went inside. Chuck looked at the next-door neighbor's house to him putting up a giant Santa. As Chuck was about to stand up, he saw Jamie arrived and sat next to him.
"Are you here to throw mud in my face?" Chuck asked.
"No," Jamie said. "I'm here to apologize for the way I've been treating you."
"You are?" Chuck asked.
"Yeah," Jamie said. "I just lost my temper and treated you unfairly and I'm sorry. That whole thing with Lily was none of my business. I shouldn't have punched you."
"Actually it was your business," Chuck said. "I was a total ass to your cousin and you had every right to punch me. Now do you think we can be best friends again?"
"We never weren't," Jamie said.
Jamie and Chuck shared a hug.
"So are you going to therapy now?" Jamie asked.
"Yeah," Chuck said. "Chris suggested I go to talk about what's been going on lately. I accidentally paid for seven sessions and there's a no money back guarantee. So now I have to go so I don't waste my money."
"How was it?" Jamie asked.
"Well somehow it went all the way to I'm a self centered teen with unresolved issues," Chuck replied.
"I'll never fully understand therapy," Jamie said.
"Would you like to come in and drink some hot chocolate Chris made?" Chuck asked.
"Chris actually made something without catching it on fire?" Jamie asked in disbelief.
"I know, right?" Chuck said.
Jamie and Chuck stood up and went inside.