********************************** Jeff came home late from work, the clock in his car read 1:25am, but he stopped on the way back to grab some flowers for Amy, just to be spontaneous, like she always complains that he isnt. He just hoped shed still be up when he got home, but just in case he slowly opened the door and tip toed through the house as sure of not to wake her up. He smiled as he creaked the door open. He found Amy just placing the phone back down on the cradle, ending a phone conversation. She turned around when she heard Jeff come in, her eyes were red and puffy and she was crying frantically. Jeff was taken aback by her sudden burst of emotion, but kept his distance. Ames, whats wrong? he asked her concerned. It took her a while to settle down, and hold back some tears. Amy? Jeff pleaded. She sniffed as she held a crumpled tissue to her eyes, wiping away the tears. Matts been in a bad car accident, and I- she started. Shit! he said. Jeff frantically grabbed his jacket and put it back on, grabbing his car keys, What hospital is he at, Ames? he asked quickly gathering items to bring. Amy shook her head no, and new tears started flowing. Jeffs heart dropped. She sniffed again, but couldnt hold back the tears, she paused briefly before telling him Matts dead baby Im so sorry **************************************************************************** ********************************** Jeff paused in shock, the flowers dropped to the ground, Amy walked over with arms out stretched to give Jeff a hug, at first he didnt hug back, and his arms remained at his side. Im so sorry baby, Amy whispered. Jeff let it sink in his mind, and emotions took him over. He gave into the hug, wrapped his arms around her waist and rested his head in her shoulder. Amy ran her hands up and down Jeffs back. Jeff was at a loss for words, so he remained silent. Its okay Amy cried while tightening her grip on Jeff, Its okay Jeffs eyes watered up and burned, he sniffed. Amy pulled back to look at Jeff, his eyes kept watering up and he just looked shocked, You want to lie down? she asked, trying to hold back the tears as she led Jeff into the main bedroom. She laid down first and Jeffs head snuggled under Amys chin. She stroked the side of Jeffs face as he closed his eyes. He then realised this was all for real, it cant be taken back. His best friend has died. Matt was gone.. **************************************************************************** ********************************** Jeffs heart ached when he went up the stairs to the altar. He breathed out before scanning the crowd of black, for Matts funeral. I know he began I know, you all probably know what Im talking about when I say that Matt was a great guy. He would go out of his way to .just make someone else happy He sniffed. I personally know that he would have done anything for me, my wife or any of my friends, just to make me happy. Jeff weakly smiled He was my roommate, for four years, and my friend since grade two, I mean weve known each other that long, and I never thought Id grow up to see his funeral when he was only 25, out of all the people I know, I really thought hed be the last to go. He shook his head. I know all of you people, have lost the person you loved. His eyes watered. I know that for a fact, Ive lost the person I loved, my roommate, and my best friend. He paused before stepping down and returning to his seat, he was greeted by a hug from Amy. He sat down and she squeezed his hand gently. She placed her hand on his knee and the priest went on with his speech. Jeff just blocked the rest of it out, he stared at a crying Stacy, she had lost the man she was going to marry and the father to her baby. He got up and hugged her at the end of the ceremony. Im so sorry he whispered. She sniffed. I was there she started I could have told him to stay, and I was going to go with him and, I just, I was there she stumbled over her own words. Jeff squeezed her tighter This isnt your fault, Stace, not at all he said as she cried into his shoulder. Dont ever think that for one second, okay? he pleaded and raised her head. She nodded, but didnt say a word. Not for one second Jeff repeated. **************************************************************************** ********************************** Jeff woke up lonely. Sure, Amy was sleeping beside him, but still he felt alone. He sighed. He remembered playing golf with Matt and the guys just weeks earlier, or remembering him tossing Amy into the nearby pool. He never imagined that they might be one of the last time he saw his friend. Amy rolled over and whimpered, she slowly opened her eyes. Morning she whispered quietly. Jeff faked a smile Hey he whispered back. She could tell Jeff was still falling apart over this. She stroked his face, How you feeling today, Hun? she asked. Jeff tilted his head to the side Im doing better Amy smiled weakly, Good she said. She sat up slightly, You want something to eat? she asked. He paused before shaking his head no. She sighed Jeffery she started" You havent eaten anything since Matts accident. Cmon" He paused "alright" She slowly got out of the bed. "Okay come down when youre ready" Jeff nodded "Thanks" and slumped back down in his pillow. He sighed and laid there until he could smell bacon frying from the kitchen travel down the hall into his room. He rose out of bed, and headed downstairs. On the kitchen table, was the flowers he had brought Amy when she first told him the news. They were neatly placed in a small blue vase. He sat down while Amy placed down some eggs and bacon. "Stacy called last night" she said, while buttering some toast. "Oh?" Jeff said, drinking some Orange juice. "Yeah", Amy began "She wants to stay here for a while, shes in that house all by herself and" - Jeff cut her off "Sure, she can stay for as long as she wants" he said taking a mouthful of eggs. Amy smiled "Good" The doorbell rang, and Jeff rose to get it. It was Chris and Adam. "Hey" he said quietly. Adam nodded, while Chris spoke up "How ya doing?" he asked concerned. Jeff sighed, "I could be better, actually" Chris nodded at his reply. "We thought so, We just wanted to know, if you wanted to come do something with us, you know to get your mind off things." Adam said. Jeff turned around to look at Amy who nodded yes, with a smile, telling him to go. Jeff nodded "Uh, yeah sure" Chris smiled "Alright then lets go" ***************************************************************************C hris pulled up to a near by bowling alley. They used to all go there a lot when they were in high school. Jeff shook his head "I forgot all about this place" he said looking around. Adam quickly replied "yeah, I know, I came across it last week on the way to the gym" Chris grabbed them all shoes, that looked like they've seen better days. They all sat down in alley number 7. Three bowling balls were placed on the conveyer belt, as Adam picked one up. He stepped close to the lane, and thought, then swiftly rose his arm "They're going down!" he yelled to the guys laughing. The ball quickly rolled down the aisle, dropping every pin. He raised his arms in victory! "Still have it, boys" he said poking Jeff in the chest. Jeff shurgged, "We'll see" he said, picking up a bright green ball and threw it down the alley. It went straight into the gutter. "No, no" Adam started," You're doing it all wrong, you gotta look straight down the aisle and yell at the pins!" he laughed. Jeff smiled, as he picked up another ball."I was just warming up", he said as a matter of factly. He rolled this one down the aisle more swiftly, knocking down all but one of the pins. He shrugged while walking back to the seats" I guess you cant win them all!" **************************************************************************** ********************************** Jeff returned home with more lifted spirits than before. Amy was already at work, and he had to go soon too. He got transferred to a new Bar in town, which he hasn't worked in yet, on account of Matts sudden death. He checked his watch; He had enough time to have a quick shower before he went. He turned the hot water faucets in the shower on. Steam filled the tiny room, as he stepped in, the water hit his light hair, turning into a darker shade of blonde. He sighed when he stepped out, towling off his chest. He grabbed his work clothes, black pants with a white t-shirt. Kind of the old fashioned attire of a bartender, Jeff thought. He grabbed his car keys, while just finishing pulling his hair back in a small ponytail. He sat in the black sun fire and sped down the gravel road. He turned right, which led him to a road that was actually paved. He could faintly see the bar from where he was; it slowly got bigger and crept up on him as his car sped down the street. He parked in his usually spot and punched in. While he was cleaning off the sideboard of the bar, he heard someone call his name. "Jeffery?" it rang out. He looked up to see a slim, brown haired, pretty woman... Bethany. He faked a smile; he did not really need or want to see her at this time. " Hi!" she said smiling. Jeff nodded " Hey, how are you?" Bethany nodded, "Pretty good." " Thats Good" Jeff said still wiping down the table. " I haven't seen you in such a long time." she said placing a hand on his shoulder. " How's Matt?" he voice rang out. Jeff sighed and stopped wiping. Damn, she didn't know. Out of all people, Matt's Ex-girlfriend didn't know. He looked up at her with glassy green eyes. " Matt died in a car accident, Beth, He said slowly. The smile on Bethany's face faded. " Oh my god" she whispered. " I'm so sorry for bringing it up Jeff i didn't." she trailed off. " It's alright, really." There was a brief pause. " When?' she asked sympathetically. "About two weeks ago" he said going back to focusing on the table. " Jeff i am so sorry" she said quietly. " Me too" He said. Another brief pause. " Look" he started " I need to get back to work" He walked off, leaving Bethany behind at an empty table. " Just like you Jeff" he yelled after him. He turned around. " What's that supposed to mean?" he started. " Leaving, people behind for no good reason. Leaving them out in the cold." she started. " Jesus, Beth" Jeff said rolling his eyes. " I'm married now," he said holding up with hand with the ring on it. " And i don't remember shit from that night, so if you just can get over yourself for once, and stop being so damned selfish" Bethany rose from the table. " I don't think Im the one being selfish, Jeff, she said grabbing a glass of water he had on his tray. " I just think your still the asshole i remembered you to be" With that she splashed the water in his face and strutted out of the bar. "Whore" he whispered under his breath while wiping it down with a towel. He couldn't believe she just did that. After what happened with his friend, too! He shook it off by the end of the night, and hoped he wouldn't run into her again. ***************************************************************************