Jack adjusted to his new life slowly. He spent many days at Emma's side, watching over her as she mourned him. He also visited Highland and Elsie often. He talked to them, even though he knew they could not hear, to make himself less lonely.
"Today I found out that I can freeze something by blowing on it." He told Emma on her way home from school. "I thought it was just my staff or hands, but I froze some kid's tongue to the flagpole this morning!" he laughed. He had been experimenting over the past few weeks. Having fun, maybe causing a little trouble. It lifted his spirits so he didn't have to confront the reality of his own death.
He looked down at Emma, who had no idea he was walking beside her. Her face was always a bit sad these days. Jack wished he could cheer her up the way he used to.
He had taken to sleeping outside in the tree closest to his old house, finding that he preferred to be outside. He often watched Emma and his mom through the windows. At first he had come inside to be with them, but his presence and lowered the temperature in the house to the point where his mom had checked the heating system. He watched from outside now.
That night, Jack's mom stayed up late. He watched with concern as she sat in her bed, unmoving. He got close enough to her window that he could see her looking through her journal. She was weeping.
"Oh, Jack…" he heard her say, "Jack, why? Why did I let you go? We need you. You were always so helpful, so happy. I never told you how good you were or how much I loved you. Emma is so lonely, she needs you, Jack. We both do." She continued sobbing over her old journal entries, which were undoubtedly filled with Jack's antics.
Jack cried too. He wished that he could jump in and make her feel better. Unexpectedly, he also felt angry. She shouldn't have depended on him so much. He was just a teenager. She should have been able to take care of Emma on her own. He should not have had responsibility for the whole family's happiness. Why was his mother so weak?
Then he felt shame. She wasn't weak, just struggling since his dad had left. Still, she should be trying harder to make Emma feel better.
Jack flew back to his tree. He thought about his family's situation, and wondered how he could help. If only the stupid ice hadn't cracked. If only he had found a different lake. If only the Moon hadn't extended his life by magical means, then he wouldn't have to worry about this! Why did this have to happen to him? What was so special about him? Why put him through this?