After the three arrived in Flower Bud Village, Jack was taken to the hospital while Karen spoke to Rick in private, in the back room of the hospital.
"Rick, I can't explain this to you, but I can't feel the same about you as you do me," Karen inerlaced her fingers around themselves.The room, as well as the conversation, made Karen feel nervous. "I can't live my life with you knowing that I love someone else. I'm sorry, you'll have to understand, please..." Rick looked into Karen's eyes. He understood what she meant. She couldn't live her live with him if she loved someone else. It would never work out the way he thought it would. Karen loved Jack and there was nothing to stop that.
"I understand Karen.You're dumbing me for some city slicker that doesn't know how to fight?" Rick argued until Karen decided to knock his lights out. OOF he hit the floor.
"Thank you for being so considerate," Karen spoke those two words and let a sarcastic grin appear upon her gloomy face.
Jack awoke to hear the sound of a loud and emphatic car motor. Cars usually don't come to Flower Bud Village, especially during this time of year. When he got out of bed, he felt nausiated and indisposed. He stumbled around the spinning room to the window to realize that he was in Dr.Hardy's office. Grabbing hold of the window pane, he saw someone he'd seen before. His dad was standing beside a car, talking to Dr.Hardy. Why was his dad here?
A quick ailing pain came over Jack's upper body. He remembered his fight with Kai. The doctor must have given him some kind of shot to make him feel this bad. Jack grabbed his side and groused as he went back to the bed to lie there until Karen came through the back room going towards the door hoping Jack wouldn't see her.
"Karen," Jack strained. "Why is my dad here? What's going on?"
Karen stopped and stared at the floor. Her eyes began to swell."Jack,...your dad has come to take you home. He doesn't think you can run the farm in this condition and says that you haven't done much anyways," she looked up at Jack with her eyes full of empathy. "I don't want you to go, but he's right: this isn't the best place for you to be. There are better oportunities for you in the city, and--"
"Karen, please come here. We need to talk." he said weakly but strong enough yet. Karen pulled up a stool and sat on it as she angled her head towards the ground with her hair partially infront of her eyes, hiding the tears. "Karen, I know you don't want to hear this. I might be the one for your sadness, but you need to hear me. Will you?"
"Jack, I don't want to create any walls between us. This isn't--" she stopped her sentence being disturbed. Karen moved the hair away from her eyes, behind her ears and Jack smiled at her glowing emerald eyes. When he looked at them, he lost himself in another world. Gladly Karen let Jack hold her hand as Jack lied on the comfortable bed that the doctor had set up for him.
"Karen, I want to tell you something," Jack said. Karen was ready for all of hell to drop upon her. Her secret love for him lasted a lifetime, but would her love change into a known love? Karen only prayed that Jack might love her the same way. She was too afraid to let it be known. Jack wasn't. He started his speech; or more like a death bomb to Karen. All was too confusing for even the both of them to understand. "I--" his throat closed and his speech crashed when his dad walked into the room. Karen walked out of the room trying not to let Jack see her tears. He couldn't help but notice them. The misery and discouragement in his eyes as he sat up in bed showed great downturn in his spirit.
"Hi son!" his dad sounded so intent on seeing him and escorting him home."It's been almost two months now hasn't it?" he walked over to give Jack a hug." Jack smiled and didn't even try to give his dad a welcome or a hello. But even still, Jack's dad hugged him and rubbed his head like he was still ten years old. Was this his dad's way of grieving for Jack's grandpa?
"Hey Dad," he said still gripping his side from the pressure that his dad put on his broken ribs when he hugged him."Where did Karen go?"
"Karen?" his dad said confused about the whole situation.
"She went towards Moonmountain," Dr.Hardy complied thinking Jack's dad a complete moron.
Jack hurried to put his shirt on and started to pull his boots onto his feet when he looked up to see Dr.Hardy gasp for breath and fall to the ground. Jack dropped his boot. Dr.Hardy had died from a shocking heart attack.
"Dr. Hardy!"He hesitated for a split second."Dad, call the Dr!" Jack rushed to the Dr.s side. "Son, this is the doctor!" his dad yelled."I'll be right back. You stay here." he pointed at Jack.
"Dad! Atleast let me outa here! I don't want to let Karen out of my site. Move!" Jack's dad wouldn't let him run out of the door, but relentlessly held him back. He couldn't do anything to fight back with his broken rib when it pinched the left side of his torso. Black pains hit sharply and a white flash ran before Jack's eyes. He groaned and staggered towards the door once more, "Dad, let me outside. I can walk." The argueing was useless. Jeff and Gotz were around, so they covered the Dr.'s body and carried it away.
"Jack, I can't let you go out with you in this condition. Besides, we need to talk."
"Karen already told me." Jack said disapointed as he went to sit on a stool."Dad," he said hesitantly."I can't go back. This farm, this town, this very piece of land means so much."
"Jack,...you can't really be inlove with this place can you?" his dad laughed. Jack laughed a breath thorugh his nose, then fiddled his thumbs and stared at the wooded floors as though something were really wrong. "Jack, you know I want the best for you and --"
"Dad!" Jack looked up and threw his hands up in the air."I'm not your little kid anymore! I've already got my own house, my own farm,"he motioned towards those landmarks and looked in the same direction" and I don't take orders from anyone anymore!" his eyes full of hate and rage, he stood up and walked into the next room."And I'm not leaving!" he shouted through the shut door.
Jack's dad sighed. He didn't feel as though he had been a good father. A feeling of discomfort swept over his body. It was one of those feelings that one gets when one wished they would have said something different in the situation he or she was in. Almost embarrassed to see his son, he opened the door to see Jack crying in his chair. Jack quickly wiped his tears and looked out the window to keep his dad from seeing him."Son...I know you love this place, but you can't make it on your own out here. You are too hurt to work. And you have to--"
"Shut up."Jack said sternly and pointed in his dad's face. "I don't care if you think I can't make it. This house is mine. This land is mine." he started to a whisper now."But I'm not yours anymore." his head turned to gaze into the hot grassy hills filled with all he ever dreamt of.
"Alright...If you really feel this way about me." he tried to use his sympathy to call Jack back home. It worked. After hours of arguing and moments of disagreement Jack agreed to come with his father, thinking Karen might come with him.
After about three weeks, his rib healed and he was now ready to make it back home.
Jack's eyes were lost in the distance. The hills he would never see again were trapped in his heart forever. The sunset that would once again be hidden behind tall buildings and smokey skies and the farm he once dreamed would be revived again, slipped away from his grasp. No longer would the soothing freshness of the rivers and cool sand run through his fingers again. No longer would the birds chirp for his admaration. But life would go on in the city; where he belonged.
"--give Betsy too much good fodder. She'll get sick." Mr.Smith finished telling Ann's dad about taking care of the animals
"Alright. It was good to see you Mr.Smith" Hall said his goodbye.(Mr.Smith is Jack's dad)
Jack had been soaking in the very air he breathed just to remember the place by; not paying attention to his surroundings. The town was old; too old for Jack. He was meant for the newer generation. But still in his mind, he thought of Karen. She had ignored him for this past three weeks, thinking that he wouldn't exept her. Jacks love for her lasoed his heart and stopped it. "Dad, can I get back to you in a minute. I won't take long, I promise."
"Alright." Mr.Smith yelled to Jack as he ran down the road holding his hat. "But the ferry will be leaving soon!"
Jack ignored every word of it. His mind was dedicated to thoughts about Karen. Only Karen. As he held his old brown rimmed hat, he stopped at the door to the Vineyard. He knocked with the anticipation of seeing Karen one last time, and telling her that he loved her. Again he hoped she might come with him to the city. Waiting for a reply he looked around the yard and glanced at flowers and a small garden planted nearby.
"Yes." Gotz opened the door. "Oh, its you. BELCH You here to see Karen?"
Jack scratched his stubbly beard in an attempt to cover his mouth from breathing in Gotz's bodily function.
"Yea," Jack smiled.
"Sorry kid, she's left,"
"Well, do you know where I can find her?" Jack shot a worried look towards Gotz.
"I think...I think...hmmmm..." Gotz thought patiently as Jack popped his knuckles and stepped from one foot to the other very nervously. "I think...I think...she went to the beach I think."
"Okay. Thanks." Jack wondered how Karen could live with such a slow father."
He ran with furor and a feeling of buoyancy. Karen he thought. The word ran through his mind ever so softly. Thinking so passionately of Karen, Jack forgot about running. When he felt his shoes shatter into the sand, he stopped. Now realizing he was at the beach, he looked around to find Karen boarding a ship. "Karen!" he darted through crowds of people and little kids eating icecream. He jumped over luggage and piles of carry-ons. Finally, he made it to the gate. It was shut. He tried to get through without a ticket just to say goodbye one last time. The security guard held him back as Jack viewed the boat that carried away his only love. He watched the boat go on as Karen leaned against the railing staring back at the beach. His hands gripped the bars of the gate as he shut his eyes and layed his head against the cold green shaded metal bars. A fumbling sigh left his breath. "She could have atleast told me." Jack spoke aloud to himself. He had to leave now. The thought that he could never say goodbye peirced his soul and knowing that he could never tell her he loved her broke him even more. He didn't feel like he was strong enough to go on. He felt crippled and defeated as wavering thoughts told him to go. Nothing was left for him here. His only hope was gone; now he felt worthless and divided. So he wondered around the beach until his father came upon him one hour later.
"Grab your bags son. The steamboat is leaving now." Mr.Smith said concerned about Jack's sudden plunge in spirits."Let's go," he said once more motioning Jack to pick up his own bags. He did so slowly. He slipped his hand through the handle of his suit case and boarded the boat hoping to forget Karen and all that reminded him of her. After he sat the suitcase down, he leaned against the rails and looked at the beach of Flower Bud Village for one last time. Darkness and sorrow flushed his heart. The thoughts of Karen killed his spirit and now only the thoughts of dispair and anguish came to his mind. The deepest feelings of his heart abandoned him. Almost as if you could see it, the colours of his life flew away. A sick feeling came about his body and inflicted pain beyond all thoughts.
"Jack. Jack get up," Mr.Smith shook Jack's shoulder."It's 7:25 in the morning and we're almost there."
Jack arose and rubbed his face. "Were are we?"
"We are two miles from the coast. Looks like you fell asleep on those boxes." Mr.Smith let out a breath of laughter."I took your bags and set them in the room so no one could steal them. You might want to get up and dress yourself. It won't take long before the harbor comes into view. See you in about five or so minutes."
As Jack tried to lift himself from the boxes he heard a snap. The crate broke and his hand went through a bushel of over-riped peaches. He wiped the goo off on his pants as he walked to his room.
Ten minutes later the steamboat arrived in Smallville City. The sun shone eagerly through the spaces in among the buildings. Jack remembered his old life here. It had only been five months, but still he resented ever leaving this place and starting his life in the country. Now he had gained and lost something that meant the most to him.
Karen never left his mind. Day and night he grieved for the one he never had the chance to kiss goodbye. Watching her leave was worse than never knowing, because he could have done something about it. That thought also bewitched his mind: never leaving; never forgetting to haunt him. During the day, he was sorrowful: he hated himself for not telling Karen what he thought about her. Anger and fear flowed through his veins. During the night, grudges masticated his soul through nightmares and gnawed at his heart. No one person could discribe how grievously sad Jack was.
He never could get over the hurtful thoughts of Karen. He missed her so much.
Jack lived his life in the city for six years, still with the nightmares haunting him. Even though he might never see her again, Jack thought about her ever so often. Other girls walked into his life after he moved from Smallville City to Greatwhite Town. He had met a girl by the name of Katy. She was fair skinned and dazzlingly beautiful. Auburn hair hung infront of her and any clothes she wore looked good on her. Her parents were very wealthy and owned a the business that Jack worked for. She still didn't help to take away the pain that was killing Jacks soul.
After Jack had clocked out and left work, he stopped at the jewelry store. Buying a gift for Kate wasn't very hard. She would take anything that sparkled or shined.
"Excuse me, may I help you?" the store clerk smiled.
He gave a strange but yet captivating look,"Yes, Uh. What about some,..eh, bracelets or a ring." He nodded.
The clerks eyes slightly widened and her mouth gave a quaint grin, as she turned to pick up the key to the glass case behind her desk. "Here you are", she gave him a selection of rings and bracelets. She changed her expression to curious."Are you new around here? I've never seen you before."
"Well, yea. I just moved from Smallville City, th--... Popuri?" Jack's eyes widened considerably larger.
"Jack? I can't believe I am seeing you here! Jack it's been so long since I've seen you!" Popuri loped over the desk and put her arms around him. In response, Jack gave a hesitant hug, but he quickly pulled her away and asked," Have you seen or heard from Karen? Please tell me you have."
Popuri's head drooped,"Jack..." she said almost breathless."I...I didn't want to have to tell you this, but..."
"Please, tell me. I would do anything to hear about Karen: any news." he tried to look into her eyes.
"Jack..." tears stopped up her eyes."This news isn't what you want to hear, but I must tell you. This wasn't meant--"
"Popuri! Just comeout and tell me!" Jack said as he looked around the room.
"Karen is at the hospital and I--." Jack's glad expression sent Popuri's spirits to the depths. She let tears fall from her face. Karen was deathly ill and Jack didn't know.He let go of her shoulders. The words he had recieved from Popuri's mouth lifted what was left of his muninated soul. "Do..do you know where she is. Do you know which hospital?" he smiled.
"At the Twilight Hospital, you can find her. I don't know what room, but ..." Popuri's voice faded as Jack incautiously ran out the door. Karen couldn't be that sick. He thought. Nothing could have been worse than not knowing what he was about to see.
Jack didn't stop to get in his car. He kept running; mile after mile. He loved Karen. Nothing could stop him from doing that. Finally he arrived at the hospital, heavily breathing. He looked around the lobby until...
"Excuse me, may I help you?" the hospital secretary asked.
He gave a disturbing look.,"Yes, Uh. Do you know where I can find Karen Goode?"
(again, I made that last name up).
The clerks eyes slightly widened and her gum chewing mouth gave a quaint grin, as she turned to pick up the name and room chart behind her desk. "Here you are. Find her name and you find her room number. Are you a family member or...", she gave him a curious look."You are new around here aren't you? I've never seen you before."
"Well, yea. I use to live over in Meager City, I ju--... Ellie?" Jack's eyes widened genuinely larger.
"Jack? I can't believe I am seeing you here! Jack it's been so long since I've seen you!" Ellie loped over the desk and put her arms around him. In reply, Jack hugged her tightly, but he quickly dismissed her away and rushed through the halls to the elevator. Jack pressed the number three -that was the floor Karen was on. The doors opened and Jack looked to the left then right and dashed down towards the left to room 3-301D. As he started to open the door, a nurse that had just turned the corner saw Jack and yelled,"Hey, you. Are you related to this person or are you a friend or what? You can't just go in, you have to have permission."
"I haven't seen her in six years and someone tells me she is sick. I've got to see her."
"Sorry. If you aren't a relative or a close friend, you can't go in without permission."
"Well, lady I gotta go in. I love this woman. You can't stop me." Jack burst open the door. His racing heart stopped. Black chills sent his body into a cold sweat, then he closed his eyes. The nurse shut the door behind Jack knowing she couldn't stop this guy from going in and left him to see Karen all by his lonesome. He walked to the side of her bed without haste. Still trying not to look at her, he kneeled beside her and covered his face. Breathing nervously, his eyes began to throb. He didn't want to let the tears slip. He never wanted anything to slip away again. He had lost his animals, his ranch, his mother, and now this beautiful creature that lay still beside him. Karen was so bedridden and sickly looking that Jacks throat closed up. He couldn't breathe, he couldn't talk, he couldn't speak. His hands jerked uncontrolably. Then he heard a breath that wasn't his own. Karen began to wake up. Jack kneeled beside Karen's bed and leaned closer to her as he put his hand on her forehead to remove the hair from her face. She groaned slightly and twisted her head where her face was towards Jack.
Jack smiled for the first time in six years, when he saw Karen's eyes open. The tears came along with small breaths of laughter and joy.
"Jack..." Karen spoke with a rough sick voice."...you did come to see me. I knew you would find me," Even though she was so sick, she smiled. Her face was a weak yellow and her emerald eyes that once held life and gladness showed deep pain.
"Karen," Jack took a long breath."I came to tell you something I've been wanting to for a really long time. I feel stupid for not telling you back at the farm. I know you want to talk but I have to tell you this."
"Jack," coughed under her hoarse words."I don't want you to tell me anything. Because I already know you love me. I realized that after every time I saw you smile at me, and when I saw you come look for me at the docks of Flower Bud Village. I couldn't stay there. Everything in that town reminds me of you. And you leaving me there all alone tore me apart. I couldn't belive myself when I saw the beach shrink smaller into the distance, and to know that I was the one moving. Jack, there is no time to lose, I have to tell you this. I should have told you this already. I love you and nothing can stop that. And the love that you give to someone else... can never be stopped. Not even the loss of that someone you loved greatly."
Jack caught himself crying during Karens words. He breathed through sobs of longing and regret. "Karen...no one but I know how much I love you. From the moment I set eyes on you... twenty years ago, when I first heard you singing and the soft wind blew through your wavy hair, I fell deeply in love with a little girl I hardly knew. I've left you twice. You are the most forgiving, heavenly, thoughtful person I've ever met, and i'm not going to lose you," his voice cracked up as he continued."My concience has tortured my mind and soul because I knew I could have made it to that leaving boat that you took. I should have never listened to my dad and left Flower Bud, and I never would have put you through this waiting and ... I...I can't believe I'm even here...with you...now," Jack smiled as the tears again. He said nothing, only smiled.
"Jack, I know you. You couldn't have hated yourself. You..."Karen breathed wispy and weak."Jack...you would never have hated something that I loved would you?" Jack face was sadness.
"Karen. I can't let you go. Please come back." a drop of a clear salty liquid washed away irritants from his face.
"Goodbye my dear, sweet Jack. I will love you forever," Karen spoke.
Jack looked into Karen's eyes. He loved her with an unconditional love as she loved him. It was the same all around, any way you looked at it. It was never changing and never stopping. The limits went on past the sky, past the universe and the world's ending. It was complete. Complete now, as he watched Karens body lie still, and felt her spirit leave the room to become united with an everlasting paradise.
Karen got up and looked out the window of the hospital. She saw green hills, and shining waters. Eagles soared through the clouds and deer galloped in the woods. She was no longer aware of the cities surroundings.
Jack smiled with sorrow at Karens closed eyes and ran his hand through her hair that smoothly layed over her shoulders. Jack walked to the window and blankly stared into the grassy hills that Karen now walked. The birds landed near the window and flutterd their wings. Jack pivoted around and stepped towards the door and opened it slowly. The hall he had entered in vanished. Only rivers, and farmland covered the open area. As he walked out he awoke from his daze and realized he was back home. When he turned around, his cabin was exactly where it had been only six years before. He barely remembered coming back home and settling down again. The farm was where he really belonged; peaceful and reminding. Reminding him of Karen and his last goodbye.
Ah, I need to get rid of this story as soon as possible... OH SEY YES! POWER! WASA DOOLA! I feel the power of hyperness coming on! I am going to write some really random one shots about some random movies and such, so be prepared!