Ben rushed up to Josh sitting on the patio of his farm house, and Josh gives him a loving caress. Josh then looks in the direction of the short pathway into town, with a fond smile on his face. He could not stop thinking about Alex. However, today Josh decided to visit the Pelican Town library and museum, as he had not done so before.
At the library, he sees Penny with Vincent and Jas. The three sat around a small desk, each with a book in hand.
"Umm… hi Josh," greeted Penny. "The weather sure is lovely today."
"Hi, mister!" said Vincent. "Miss Penny said that I need to read this book before I go play," he continued.
"Hi, Mr. Josh," said Jas. "It's fun to live on a farm. I love the fresh ice cream from our cows' milk."
"Hi everyone," replied Josh. "You must all be busy with Miss Penny's teaching session."
"Actually, we were just talking about you," said Penny. "I was thinking about organising a short excursion to the forest. I thought it would also be a good idea to invite you as a guest speaker, you must know a lot about the valley, being a farmer."
"That sounds great," replied Josh. "I'd love to."
"Miss Penny, I'm finished! Can we go outside now?" asked Vincent.
The four proceed to exit the library, and Josh sees Alex behind the counter of the ice-cream stand just nearby.
Alex's hands rest steadily on the countertop, with his body leaning forward, almost like he's in the middle of a modelling photoshoot.
"Hey, Josh! Are you keen for something cool, like me?" asked Alex, giving Josh a wink.
"That's a good one," said Josh. "Do you use that one with all your friends?"
"You liked it, huh? That one always results in a touch-down," replied Alex.
"What a way with words," laughed Penny.
"Sure, I'll have a scoop," said Josh.
"Miss Penny, can we have some ice cream, too?" asked Vincent, in an excited tone.
"I'm sorry, Vincent," replied Penny, "I don't have enough money on me at the moment."
"Don't worry, I'll take care of it," said Alex. "Here you go, it's on the house!"
"Wow, thank you, Alex!" said Penny. "Kids, please thank Mr. Alex for the ice cream."
"Thank you, Mr. Alex," both kids said in unison.
Penny walks Vincent and Jas home, enjoying their sweet, frozen desserts. Alex and Josh leave the ice cream stand, too.
"So, are you up for another toss of the gridball at the beach tomorrow?" asked Josh. "I've been practicing."
"Uh, sorry Josh," replied Alex. "I've got something on tomorrow. How about some other time?"
"Oh, are you hanging out with Haley again?" asked Josh, in an annoyed, mocking tone. "You know, she's just friends with you because of your looks. She's such a shallow, narcissistic person. I don't think she's someone you can consider a friend."
"That's not true," said Alex. "And besides, you have no right to tell me who I should be friends with."
"Alex, I'm only telling you this because I care," replied Josh, sternly.
"If you did care," responded Alex, raising his voice, "then you would mind your own business and be supportive!"
Josh stops, shaking a little. Alex calms down.
"I'm actually not going to Emily and Haley's place tomorrow," he continued. "I just need to spend the day by myself."
Josh gulps, inundated with guilt. "I'm sorry, Alex. You're right, I went too far. I shouldn't have said anything, or assumed something so hastily. I'm not in any position to tell you how you should live your life, or who you should be friends with."
"Thanks," said Alex, feeling placated. "I'll see you later."
Alex looks at Josh for a brief moment, before walking home. Meanwhile, Josh couldn't help but notice that something was wrong, by the way Alex looked at him so intently. The next morning, Josh sits on his patio once again. Ben slowly walks over, and Josh puts his arm around the inquisitive dog.
"Something didn't feel right yesterday," he confides to Ben. "He told me that he wanted to be alone today, but I have this strange feeling that he really doesn't."
Ben whimpers softly, before barking with a loud, quick voice.
"You're right, Ben. I should go over and check in on him," said Josh. "Promise you won't tell anyone about our conversation," he joked to Ben.
Ben barks loudly, before rushing to the growing wheat stalks, and barks again. Josh runs to George and Evelyn's house.
"Hello, Josh. Would you like to watch TV with me?" asked George.
"Hello, my dear," said Evelyn. "You seem flustered. Come have some tea."
"I'd love to, but maybe next time," replied Josh. "Do you know where Alex is?"
Evelyn replied with sorrow, "He walked down to the beach this morning."
Josh thanked Evelyn, and made his way to the beach. He could see someone sitting on the sand, right by the water. That person was wearing a green jacket, so Josh deduced that it had to be Alex. He walks closer to him.
"Josh?" said a surprised Alex. "You must have seen me crying just now."
"Alex, are you okay?" asked Josh. "Please tell me."
Josh sits on the warm sand, next to Alex.
"It was today, twelve years ago," said Alex, "when my mum died."
"Oh, I'm sorry," replied Josh. He looks at Alex, before letting him continue.
"I still remember her well, she would make eggs, pancakes, and hash browns for breakfast, with a glass of milk… and would toss the gridball with me in the backyard. She took great care of me, but I was too young and immature to say 'thanks'. Now she's gone forever," said Alex, sniffling a little, but trying to keep his composure.
"Alex, don't blame yourself," said Josh. "You wouldn't have known."
"This is the only keepsake I have left… her music box," said Alex.
He rests his mother's music box on the sand, and opens it slowly. A gentle, familiar melody plays, as Alex closes his eyes, imagining his mother holding him tenderly when he was a baby. After about fifteen seconds, the music box's melody finishes, as Alex and Josh stay still, looking at the vast expanse of the sea, listening to the sound of the flowing waves. Alex then turns to Josh.
"So, what are you thinking right now, Josh?" asked Alex.
"Alex, I'll always be here for you if you get lonely," said Josh. He then leans in and gives Alex a warm hug. Alex slowly wraps his arms around Josh, keeping a firm hold of him.
"Thank you Josh," said Alex. "You're… different than other guys, you're more sensitive. I'm glad."
Alex continues to look at Josh. "Well, we should probably get going, huh?" he bashfully tells him.
"Sure, okay," replied Josh.
As Josh walks back to town, Alex calls out to him.
"Um, Josh? Don't tell anyone that I was crying, okay?" asked Alex, nervously.
Josh laughs briefly. "Not to worry," he responds.
Alex laughs, before chasing after Josh.