Thanks for the wonderful reviewers. Story comes first, then the thank yous. Thank you for your patience. Now, a word from the delectable treat.

–Frito

First of all I am not a 'delectable treat' no one will be eating me, ever, don't even think about it. Second of all, I am so sorry this is late it has been sitting in my inbox for a couple of weeks, but I was too lazy to edit and blah, blah, blah. I know, bad me, but anywho, it's here now so enjoy!

-Chocolate

Disclaimer: I do not own anything. Thank you very much.

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Chapter three

The next morning, Fred's mother gave me a ride home. I couldn't help but think about what Fred had told me the night before. She had always been so happy, but now she isn't. I couldn't believe what she had told me. It was impossible for such a happy person to be depressed. It just wasn't right.

When I got home, I absentmindedly sat on the couch and that's all I did. I didn't read. I didn't turn the television on, or listen to the radio. I didn't even notice when my brother got up.

"Hey, kid," a voice startled me out of some sort of trance. It was Keith. "Where's mom?"

"I think she went to work," I muttered, not really putting much thought into what I was saying.

"But it's so early."

"No it's not," I said as I glanced at my watch. "It's nearly nine o' clock."

"I got up that early?"

"Yeah, miracle isn't it?"

"Yeah, it is," he said cocking an eyebrow. That was something our father could do too. That's all I really remember about him, but everybody would say I looked just like him. I didn't know if that was a compliment or not.

"Something on your mind, kid?" he asked. Some times I think he forgot my name and that's why he called me kid, or maybe that's just how all big brother's address their kid sisters.

"Yeah," I said as I played with some fuzz that was sticking out of the couch.

"What is it?"

"I don't know."

"You can talk to me, you know."

"Yeah, I know," I lied. I couldn't talk to anyone and if I could, Keith wasn't the one to be talking to.

"I'm going over to the Curtis's," he said as he headed toward the door. Then a thought hit that
puzzled me greatly.

"Keith?" I asked.

"Yeah, kid."

"Why aren't you hung over?"

"I didn't drink last night." He smiled at me and cocked a brow. Of course he didn't drink last night.
What did he take me for, a fool? He probably just sobered up before he went to sleep.

"Whatever," I said.

I got up and went for a walk. I walked passed the park. That was the same park Keith's friend Johnny killed that kid. I hadn't met that friend, but Keith took it mighty hard when he died a few days after killing the kid. It's been a few months since it happened, but you can still see that it hurts him.

My brother isn't the type of kid you would exactly call understanding. He would sell me out for a
lifetime supply of beer. I'm serous. He would. He would sell our mother for beer. There was nothing he liked better than a beer or whiskey or something like that. Some nights he would leave, calling on his way out that he meant to get drunk.

I think he still misses him, our father, I mean. We used to be a happy family. We were poor, but happy. Dad lost his job and couldn't pay the bills. I can still remember the night that he left. He packed his suitcase and put on his shaggy gray coat. I wanted to go with him, but he told me no. I was four years old, but I remember it so well. I put my arms up signaling I wanted to be picked up. He picked me up and gave me a hug and then set me down. He walked out the door and that's the last time I ever saw him. Keith was mad at me for a long time after that because I kept on asking when daddy would come back and he never answered because he knew he would never return.

I made myself turn my attention back to the current situation. It was Fred and her unstable emotions. I didn't know what to do. She would probably get mad at me if I told her mother or the counselor of her feelings. I decided to write her a note.

I ran back to the house and found a pad of paper and a pen. I didn't know how to begin. After a moment hesitation, I put my pen to the paper and started to
write.

Dear Fred

There is always I time to be joking and there is always a time to be serous. Now is the time to be serious.

Enough is enough. You can't hide your feelings forever. If you're so unhappy let your parents know. I'm sure they I would want to know. Talk to the counselor. I'll do it for you, if that's what it
takes.

You are probably mad at me right now, but I don't care. If you're mad, then so be it. You may regret telling me your feelings, but I needed to know.

Please talk to somebody about your feelings.

Your friend,
Lucky

I read the note once. I read it again. I knew that I had to give her this note, but when? I soon decided to put it in her locker first thing Monday morning.

Monday rolled along fast. I rushed out the door and to school. I got there early so I wouldn't run into Fred when I put it in her locker.

I made the familiar journey to Fred's locker from mine. I folded the note so it would easily go through the air vents. I slid it in.

I got to my first class early and waited for the bell to ring. Fred and I didn't have a class together until second period, so I would have until then to face her.

The next period came too fast. I carefully avoided eye contact with Fred. Luckily, I was able to avoid talking to her too. I wasn't sure if she got the note, and I wanted to go talk to her, but I was afraid of what she might say.

Between second and third period, I found a note in my locker. It was Fred. She had received my note. I almost breathed a sigh of relief, but I didn't. I
opened the not up. It read…

I'm fine Lucky. I really am. I'll be okay with you
here.

I knew I wouldn't always be there. Since I didn't want to be the one to push her over the edge, I just decided to leave it like that. I decided to see if she talked to someone
first before I took action.

At lunch I decided to go to the counselors office. I left the lunchroom and headed toward the office.

"I need to see the counselor," I told the secretary.

"Did you fill out a slip?" she asked.

"No," I admitted "But this is really important. It
can't wait."

"Is it about a schedule change?"

"No," I nearly screamed. "It's really important."

"Okay," she said. "She will be right with you. Take a seat."

I sat down in the fold up office chairs and waited for Mrs. O' Brain, the counselor. Finally, she came out from behind the office doors.

"Come on," she motioned me. I stood up and walked with her to her office on the other side of the school. She opened he office up and took me inside.

"Okay," she said. "What did you want to see me for?"

"My friend, Winifred O'Reilly told me she has been feeling rather depressed lately." I said, stumbling over my words, but finally managing to spit it out.

"I see." She said. "What else?"

"She told me that she wanted to run away or kill herself."

"When was the last time she told you this?"

"Last Friday."

"Has she been saying this often?"

"No," I said. "This is the first time she told me."

"I'll call her parents," she said. " Cheer her up when she gets down."

"Okay."

"Make sure she knows how much good there is to life."

"Okay."

"And tell her that my door is always opened."

"Okay," I said.

"And tell her that family counseling is always an option."

"Okay," I said as I opened the door.

I left the counselors office with an excuse for why I was late to class. Fred would soon find out and I wasn't sure if that was good or bad.

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I hope you liked it. Now, my dear friend the candy will take over. –Frito

Hope you enjoyed. Again, sorry it's sorta late, but you know it was worth it! -Chocolate

Thank yous:

Reviewer- See we put Two-Bit, or 'Keith', in! Go us! Happy? If so, review again! Have a nice week!