Chapter14
***
"Who's Christopher, Xander?"Catie repeated.
Xander had let a secret slip without knowing. How was he suppose to cover when it was so
easy to talk to this Catie girl whom he knew nothing about except that she was a friend of
Jamie's. But if Jamie hadn't told who Christopher was then maybe he shouldn't tell. Or should
he? I mean she was in her right to ask the question and get the answer. But if Jamie found out
that'd he'd told about Christopher it would be just this big mess he had to clean up after wards.
"Are you sure you want to know that?"he asked the question.
"Yes!"
"Christopher Waite was my oldest brother."
"But I thought Jamie was?"
"Um.........no. Jamie is my second oldest brother, but just as tough as Chris although I don't
remember him to much."
"What happened to him?"
"He was killed in a motorcycle accident about six years ago. I was about eight then and Lizzie
was about seven. We don't talk about him a lot so don't try to hate Jamie because he didn't share
another one of the dark Waite secrets with you."Xander tried to give a small laugh.
Catie smiled. He was a good kid, just on the wrong track.
"So about the EMT station whats up with that?"Catie began to question again.
" Well, I yelled at Jace our squad leader and pushed her. I have anger problems. Just like
Harper, Christopher, and Jamie. Oh you probably notice the good side of Jamie when he's sober
right?"
"I know Jamie drinks but it wasn't as bad when your mom died. He doesn't drink to much
now."Catie tried to ignore that one.
"So I've answered just about all of your questions so now its your turn."Xander turned the tables
on Catie. She knew she wasn't going to escape so why even bother.
"Okay ask away."
"How did you meet Jamie."
"Well.........in high school we always hung out. He was my back up best friend."
"Did you guys ever date?"
"Yeah we did. But as you can see it didn't work out."
"Too bad, you would have made a great sister."
She laughed at his remark lightly trying not to imagine what it would be like be Mrs. Catie
Waite."So how did Jamie hurt you?"he asked.
The question was so simple. So easy. So not what she wanted to answer.
"Ah well um...........he dumped me for another girl named Angela back in high school. She wasn't
about to tell him that oh yeah we slept together last night and that hurt to when he didn't happen
to say I love you, Catie thought.
"Well thats Jamie. Always the one so quick to hurt some one."
A nurse stood at the door. "Miss the patient needs his rest now. Its time for you to leave."
"Okay. Xander it was really good to talk to you. I think you'll do just fine. Just try to relax and
maybe next time you see your mother she'll leave you alone."
Catie stood to leave the dark eyed teenager alone. He was so much like Jamie. He was Jamie.
Only Xandercould show his feelings. Alot better than Jamie. She smiled and left to get some
coffee in the cafeteria.
***
Catie walked into the cafeteria expecting to see Val and the rest of the Waite family but found
only Jamie. He was a few inches away, drinking coffee, and heard her catch her breath. "Hey"he
said in a solem voice that made her want to slap him but she controled herself. She sat down at a
table first looking to the table. As if she expected an answer to her problems to appear. "So did
it go okay with Xan?"he asked. She still didn't answer him. he waved his hand in front of her
face."Hello! Earth to Planet Catie."
"Why is our friendnship in trouble? Why didn't you tell me about Christoher? Why didn't you tell
me that you love me? Why?"she asked tilting her head for an answer.
"Catie, I'm sorry."
"About which part?"
"All of it."
"Sorry Jamie doesn't even begin to cover it. I wanted to be the girl you came to when your life
was screwed up and didn't make sense. Don't you get it Jamie, I love you!"She saw his face.
Then she stopped very quickly beliving in the fantasy she had. The one where she slayed all the
darkness in Jamie's mind. Then she kissed him and there was only light, and them.
Together.Jamie never imagined that comin back to Kingsport, Virginia would mean that Catie
would admit to being in love with him. But he couldn't say"I love you too." Because he knew he
was incapble of that. Incapable of love. All he knew how to do was hurt.
"I never asked for your love.Your a whore.I could never love you"he simply said and walked
off.The tears stung in Catie's eyes,and like a volcano she errupted, as she slumped to the floor.
*Jamie oh my god. I thought it would change. Thought if I said I love you there would be a
chance. God, I hate him.*
***
Val watched from afar as Jamie and Catie talked. "What was it that made her love him? What
was it about Jamie Waite that was irresistable? Val suddenly saw vicious words fly from Jamie.
He started coming towards her. Val looked past him and saw Catie start crying then slump to the
floor.
***
*See* Jamie told himself *I'm only capable of hurting her. I said I would never hurt her. And
now I have. I didn't mean to. I just had to make her see that there couldn't be anything between
us.* He neared the door and saw Val.
***
Val's left palm itched. She wanted to slapp Jamie badly. So badly, she could feel his flesh on
her hand, almost. As he walked through the doors she stepped aside. He gave her a look and
then a smirk. "Better go get your friend before she starts a flood."he gave a cruel laugh. She
couldn't believe him.
"Did you know that she loves you?"Val asked pointedly.
"Do I have to answer to you?"he asked.
"Do you have to be so arrogant. Jamie don't you see she loves you. Your going to have to face
this sooner or later. All I know is my friend is going to get hurt in the process."
"Val is this some sad case to re-envent your unhappy life with Tyler."coldly Jamie asked then
walked away.
It was a blow to her. She'd loved Tyler so much at the time. Loved him like only a wife could
love a husband. But it had ended so long ago. She hated to think about it, so she turned back to
her friend.She saw Catie pick herself up. Looking strong, Catie glided towards the door where
Val stood."Val"she closed her eyes as if Val were a bright shining angel sent from heaven, "take
me home."
