After We've Said Goodbye, chapter 8
By Carolyn, Carolyn984@aol.com
"This used to be my playground. . ." - Madonna
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I didn't really feel the need to embellish why I was soaking wet and, unfortunately, rather unkempt looking. In order to explain, you see, I would have had to entertain the fact that I was pushed off a pier as I was about to, hello, kiss Jesse, and something told me that this information wouldn't fly too high with Father D.
Not to mention the fact that Father Dominic didn't even know Jesse was back. He politely dematerialized before I entered the priest's office.
I figured it would be nice of me to tell him, though.
"I got an unexpected visitor this evening," I began, trying to contain my enthusiasm. Father Dominic eyed me curiously, obviously noting my sodden appearance.
"A fraternity boy with water balloons?"
My contained joy died a rapid little death. I snorted.
"No, Father D. Jesse," I smiled in spite of myself. "He's back."
The good father nearly fell into his chair—he had been standing before—and stared at me, open-mouthed. "He. . . Jesse—you're sure? He's back?"
I grinned, feeling the whole lot of emotions rush through me again. You know, the goofy happiness, relief, the whole bit. I told him about how he just showed up in my dorm room a few hours earlier, and what happened to him (as far as I knew it) and all that. As I was talking, Jesse modestly materialized beside me.
"Good morning, Father," he said, with a slight smile on his face. I looked at the clock in his office—I guess 'morning' was more appropriate, what with it being around two o'clock and all.
Father Dominic looked completely stunned. I don't think he could look more surprised if you told him the Pope was going to make a stop at the Mission next time he was in the States.
"Why. . . Jesse, well. . . this is truly amazing," he paused, seemingly at a loss for words. I totally knew how he felt. "Well, it's good to have you back!"
I'll say.
I interrupted the little reunion. "Well, to be honest Father D, that's not the whole reason why I came down here. You see, we kind of met this ghost, and he wants to give his girlfriend a message, and she goes here, so I figured I might as well stop by, since I was already like half-way here—"
"Oh, another spirit!" Father Dominic, very unlike him, interrupted me. "I was wondering when I would hear from you about mediating again."
More than just about mediating, I'm sure Father Dom was just ecstatic to hear that I was *willing* to help out in the mediating realm again. Understandably, I hadn't been all-too eager since last July.
"Well," I ventured, "you should be happy to know that I didn't use my fists until he pushed me over the pier. He touched first. Jesse can attest to that."
Instead of sighing and reaming me about my technique, Father Dominic just squinted at me, then at Jesse, and back at me. "What were you doing at the beach in the middle of the night?" he accused. "Don't you have class tomorrow, Susannah?"
Oops, busted. Me and my big mouth.
I felt my face heat up. "Well, Father D, not until later in the morning, and it's only Intro to Philosophy. . ."
Okay, so I wasn't planning on going at all, but he didn't have to know that.
The look on his face, though, totally told me that he did. He just sighed, dismissing the subject altogether, much to my relief. "Well, Susannah, what you do is your own business now. But I do hope that you realize that every class you miss is money wasted."
Yeah, but every class I go to is money wasted, too, so why make my life more miserable?
Instead of stating this salient point, I returned to the situation at hand. "So," I said. "Jessica Winters. She's the girlfriend who we're supposed to find. Ring a bell?"
Father Dominic rubbed his chin between his thumb and forefinger for a moment before realization dawned on him. "Ah, Miss Winters! Of course. Vice President of the senior class. Excellent student. Well, at least, until recently."
The new VP, huh? I was mildly interested upon hearing this. Surely, whoever this new chick was couldn't possibly be doing as splendid a job as I did when I attended the Academy. Father Dominic was leafing through last year's yearbook—my senior photo was actually somewhat decent in it, meaning I didn't look like someone just yelled "Fire!" for once in my life—until he finally came across the page he was looking for. Turning the maroon volume so it was facing me, he pointed at one of the relatively small square pictures.
"This is she. Jessica Winters. Cheerleading captain and co-captain of the softball team. Merit scholar and—"
I cut him off. I mean, sorry, but learning about all of her exemplary accomplishments, aside from making me feel somewhat inferior in comparison, was just not on my A-list of things to do at two in the morning.
"So what do you want me to do? Just hang around 'til tomorrow and tell her? Because you know, in light of recent events, I think it would be in my best interest to attend to the wishes of the lost souls of the departed, even if it means missing class. . ."
The sky-eyed priest looked at me with a stare that could only be described as pitying. "Susannah, grateful as I am to have to have you back and eager to help out, I really do not think it's necessary to jeopardize your education to do so."
Necessary? No. More interesting than learning about Plato and Socrates? Yes. Besides, I could always ask Jesse about all that.
This time it was Jesse, who had been relatively silent throughout the whole ordeal, who interrupted. "What do you mean, 'until recently'?"
Both Father Dominic and I turned to stare at him. "Pardon?"
"You said that she is an excellent student, until recently. How do you mean?" Oh, right. Jessica. Anthony. The reason we're both here. Right.
"Well, I only meant that she has been somewhat reserved since a few weeks ago. A little, ah, slacking in her work. I did not know of the underlying circumstances, however. Not until you two arrived."
"And you believe it is because of this boyfriend of hers?" Jesse asserted.
I looked at him, almost taken aback. "Well," I began, dropping my eyes to the floor, in a quiet voice, "losing someone you love can do that to a person. Make you, um, not want to do stuff, I mean."
The silence that came next was not just a little uncomfortable. God. Why do I have to open my big mouth all the time? That didn't sound *too* obviously relative to me and my recent state of being. No, not at *all*.
Did I mention how big of a *loser* I am?
Thankfully, Father Dominic broke the uneasy silence by clearing his throat and continuing. "Well, ah, anyway. Susannah, Jesse, thank you for bringing this to my attention. I believe I can handle this, however. I think it is more important for you to return to your dorm and attend your classes like the upstanding student I know you are."
Um, hello? Was Father D aware of who he was talking to? Me, upstanding? All right.
I knew there was no arguing with him, however. Once the Mission's principal got an idea in his head, he was almost as stubborn as I was. Besides, I was getting way tired, and I still wasn't dried off yet. I sighed, turning toward the door. "All right, Father Dom. Gotcha."
"Oh, and Susannah?"
I turned. "Yes?"
Father Dominic was smiling at me, faint under-eye circles and all. "It's good to have you back."
I grinned in spite of myself. I couldn't help it. All of the sudden, I just felt this rush of appreciation and affection for the old priest; I realized how much I had missed him in the past few months. Without thinking, I flung my arms around him and gave him a firm yet gentle hug.
"It's good to be back, Father D," I whispered. "It's good to be back."
Jesse, who was watching all of this, broke out in a smile of his own. He just stood there, staring at me with one of those unreadable expressions. Realizing that now that my job was done—I had told Father Dominic about the ghost situation, which I was planning on taking care of myself, but since he insisted I get back to school, I could now spend the rest of my night with Jesse—I released him from my embrace and turned to leave.
"It was good to see you again, Father," Jesse said, all gentleman-like, and shook his hand. Dominic smiled wearily, peacefully, as if Jesse's return brought some semblance of normalcy back to his world as well.
"I could not agree more, Jesse. Please, feel free to visit any time you like."
And with that, the ghost and the mediator left Junipero Serra's halls and strode out into the breezeway. It was so peaceful outside, with the pacific winds brushing against our faces, and the dark opaque sky shutting out all light aside from the silvery stars and bright golden moon. The air smelled of sea water—or maybe that was just me—and midnight. You know what I mean. That deep, fresh smell that only comes around when it's pitch dark out, and only in clean places. You would never get the midnight smell in New York. No, the only thing I'd smell there in the middle of the night is garbage from the dumpster down the street and the faint smell of cigarette smoke billowing in my window from the sidewalk. Not exactly an endearing scent, if you know what I mean.
Jesse and I walked through the school grounds, and eventually ended up by the fountain and the repaired statue of Junipero Serra—the first place, I realized, where Jesse saved my life. I smiled a little. This didn't go unnoticed. Jesse cast his eyes down at me, a pleasant demeanor in his flawless features. He raised the eyebrow with the scar in it as he looked at me.
"What?"
I met his gaze, still smiling in spite of myself. "Oh, nothing."
Jesse lifted my chin with his forefinger, and said, his voice as silky as ever, "It was definitely something, querida."
I beamed. The way he was looking at me, well, it made me feel so. . .
. . .valuable. That's the only way I can describe it. He lowered his head slowly, and I felt my heart go pitter-pat all over again.
"Cheating bastard. You got what you deserved."
Until, of course, an angry female voice coming from the direction of the cemetery totally spoiled the moment. I turned, angrily, to see who else on earth would be here at two-thirty in the morning on a Thursday, and let's just say I was not at all comforted by who I saw.
Jessica Winters. And she did not look at all like a mourning girlfriend.
In fact, she looked proud. Evilly so.
I swear, my work just never ends.
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Reviews are much appreciated! The more I get, the more you guys get. Thanks =)
2004 by Carolyn
By Carolyn, Carolyn984@aol.com
"This used to be my playground. . ." - Madonna
--------------------------------------------------
I didn't really feel the need to embellish why I was soaking wet and, unfortunately, rather unkempt looking. In order to explain, you see, I would have had to entertain the fact that I was pushed off a pier as I was about to, hello, kiss Jesse, and something told me that this information wouldn't fly too high with Father D.
Not to mention the fact that Father Dominic didn't even know Jesse was back. He politely dematerialized before I entered the priest's office.
I figured it would be nice of me to tell him, though.
"I got an unexpected visitor this evening," I began, trying to contain my enthusiasm. Father Dominic eyed me curiously, obviously noting my sodden appearance.
"A fraternity boy with water balloons?"
My contained joy died a rapid little death. I snorted.
"No, Father D. Jesse," I smiled in spite of myself. "He's back."
The good father nearly fell into his chair—he had been standing before—and stared at me, open-mouthed. "He. . . Jesse—you're sure? He's back?"
I grinned, feeling the whole lot of emotions rush through me again. You know, the goofy happiness, relief, the whole bit. I told him about how he just showed up in my dorm room a few hours earlier, and what happened to him (as far as I knew it) and all that. As I was talking, Jesse modestly materialized beside me.
"Good morning, Father," he said, with a slight smile on his face. I looked at the clock in his office—I guess 'morning' was more appropriate, what with it being around two o'clock and all.
Father Dominic looked completely stunned. I don't think he could look more surprised if you told him the Pope was going to make a stop at the Mission next time he was in the States.
"Why. . . Jesse, well. . . this is truly amazing," he paused, seemingly at a loss for words. I totally knew how he felt. "Well, it's good to have you back!"
I'll say.
I interrupted the little reunion. "Well, to be honest Father D, that's not the whole reason why I came down here. You see, we kind of met this ghost, and he wants to give his girlfriend a message, and she goes here, so I figured I might as well stop by, since I was already like half-way here—"
"Oh, another spirit!" Father Dominic, very unlike him, interrupted me. "I was wondering when I would hear from you about mediating again."
More than just about mediating, I'm sure Father Dom was just ecstatic to hear that I was *willing* to help out in the mediating realm again. Understandably, I hadn't been all-too eager since last July.
"Well," I ventured, "you should be happy to know that I didn't use my fists until he pushed me over the pier. He touched first. Jesse can attest to that."
Instead of sighing and reaming me about my technique, Father Dominic just squinted at me, then at Jesse, and back at me. "What were you doing at the beach in the middle of the night?" he accused. "Don't you have class tomorrow, Susannah?"
Oops, busted. Me and my big mouth.
I felt my face heat up. "Well, Father D, not until later in the morning, and it's only Intro to Philosophy. . ."
Okay, so I wasn't planning on going at all, but he didn't have to know that.
The look on his face, though, totally told me that he did. He just sighed, dismissing the subject altogether, much to my relief. "Well, Susannah, what you do is your own business now. But I do hope that you realize that every class you miss is money wasted."
Yeah, but every class I go to is money wasted, too, so why make my life more miserable?
Instead of stating this salient point, I returned to the situation at hand. "So," I said. "Jessica Winters. She's the girlfriend who we're supposed to find. Ring a bell?"
Father Dominic rubbed his chin between his thumb and forefinger for a moment before realization dawned on him. "Ah, Miss Winters! Of course. Vice President of the senior class. Excellent student. Well, at least, until recently."
The new VP, huh? I was mildly interested upon hearing this. Surely, whoever this new chick was couldn't possibly be doing as splendid a job as I did when I attended the Academy. Father Dominic was leafing through last year's yearbook—my senior photo was actually somewhat decent in it, meaning I didn't look like someone just yelled "Fire!" for once in my life—until he finally came across the page he was looking for. Turning the maroon volume so it was facing me, he pointed at one of the relatively small square pictures.
"This is she. Jessica Winters. Cheerleading captain and co-captain of the softball team. Merit scholar and—"
I cut him off. I mean, sorry, but learning about all of her exemplary accomplishments, aside from making me feel somewhat inferior in comparison, was just not on my A-list of things to do at two in the morning.
"So what do you want me to do? Just hang around 'til tomorrow and tell her? Because you know, in light of recent events, I think it would be in my best interest to attend to the wishes of the lost souls of the departed, even if it means missing class. . ."
The sky-eyed priest looked at me with a stare that could only be described as pitying. "Susannah, grateful as I am to have to have you back and eager to help out, I really do not think it's necessary to jeopardize your education to do so."
Necessary? No. More interesting than learning about Plato and Socrates? Yes. Besides, I could always ask Jesse about all that.
This time it was Jesse, who had been relatively silent throughout the whole ordeal, who interrupted. "What do you mean, 'until recently'?"
Both Father Dominic and I turned to stare at him. "Pardon?"
"You said that she is an excellent student, until recently. How do you mean?" Oh, right. Jessica. Anthony. The reason we're both here. Right.
"Well, I only meant that she has been somewhat reserved since a few weeks ago. A little, ah, slacking in her work. I did not know of the underlying circumstances, however. Not until you two arrived."
"And you believe it is because of this boyfriend of hers?" Jesse asserted.
I looked at him, almost taken aback. "Well," I began, dropping my eyes to the floor, in a quiet voice, "losing someone you love can do that to a person. Make you, um, not want to do stuff, I mean."
The silence that came next was not just a little uncomfortable. God. Why do I have to open my big mouth all the time? That didn't sound *too* obviously relative to me and my recent state of being. No, not at *all*.
Did I mention how big of a *loser* I am?
Thankfully, Father Dominic broke the uneasy silence by clearing his throat and continuing. "Well, ah, anyway. Susannah, Jesse, thank you for bringing this to my attention. I believe I can handle this, however. I think it is more important for you to return to your dorm and attend your classes like the upstanding student I know you are."
Um, hello? Was Father D aware of who he was talking to? Me, upstanding? All right.
I knew there was no arguing with him, however. Once the Mission's principal got an idea in his head, he was almost as stubborn as I was. Besides, I was getting way tired, and I still wasn't dried off yet. I sighed, turning toward the door. "All right, Father Dom. Gotcha."
"Oh, and Susannah?"
I turned. "Yes?"
Father Dominic was smiling at me, faint under-eye circles and all. "It's good to have you back."
I grinned in spite of myself. I couldn't help it. All of the sudden, I just felt this rush of appreciation and affection for the old priest; I realized how much I had missed him in the past few months. Without thinking, I flung my arms around him and gave him a firm yet gentle hug.
"It's good to be back, Father D," I whispered. "It's good to be back."
Jesse, who was watching all of this, broke out in a smile of his own. He just stood there, staring at me with one of those unreadable expressions. Realizing that now that my job was done—I had told Father Dominic about the ghost situation, which I was planning on taking care of myself, but since he insisted I get back to school, I could now spend the rest of my night with Jesse—I released him from my embrace and turned to leave.
"It was good to see you again, Father," Jesse said, all gentleman-like, and shook his hand. Dominic smiled wearily, peacefully, as if Jesse's return brought some semblance of normalcy back to his world as well.
"I could not agree more, Jesse. Please, feel free to visit any time you like."
And with that, the ghost and the mediator left Junipero Serra's halls and strode out into the breezeway. It was so peaceful outside, with the pacific winds brushing against our faces, and the dark opaque sky shutting out all light aside from the silvery stars and bright golden moon. The air smelled of sea water—or maybe that was just me—and midnight. You know what I mean. That deep, fresh smell that only comes around when it's pitch dark out, and only in clean places. You would never get the midnight smell in New York. No, the only thing I'd smell there in the middle of the night is garbage from the dumpster down the street and the faint smell of cigarette smoke billowing in my window from the sidewalk. Not exactly an endearing scent, if you know what I mean.
Jesse and I walked through the school grounds, and eventually ended up by the fountain and the repaired statue of Junipero Serra—the first place, I realized, where Jesse saved my life. I smiled a little. This didn't go unnoticed. Jesse cast his eyes down at me, a pleasant demeanor in his flawless features. He raised the eyebrow with the scar in it as he looked at me.
"What?"
I met his gaze, still smiling in spite of myself. "Oh, nothing."
Jesse lifted my chin with his forefinger, and said, his voice as silky as ever, "It was definitely something, querida."
I beamed. The way he was looking at me, well, it made me feel so. . .
. . .valuable. That's the only way I can describe it. He lowered his head slowly, and I felt my heart go pitter-pat all over again.
"Cheating bastard. You got what you deserved."
Until, of course, an angry female voice coming from the direction of the cemetery totally spoiled the moment. I turned, angrily, to see who else on earth would be here at two-thirty in the morning on a Thursday, and let's just say I was not at all comforted by who I saw.
Jessica Winters. And she did not look at all like a mourning girlfriend.
In fact, she looked proud. Evilly so.
I swear, my work just never ends.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Reviews are much appreciated! The more I get, the more you guys get. Thanks =)
2004 by Carolyn