Authors: jamie brook thompson
Jayne Doe (19 page)
Perfect.
The word doesn't seem strong enough to encompass what I'm feeling, but it's the truth. Every part of me wants to cry from sheer happiness, love, and forgiveness. I'm ready to move on and forget about Johnny, about the evidence, about the crooked police department. Jayne and Casey will live here for the rest of their lives and have more children. Lots of children. A big, happy family.
My
family. I belong with them.
“I want you to see one more thing,” Stephen says as he pulls me into the house. There's a fireplace and a huge ornate mantel. My picture is resting in a frame with the phrase,
My Best Friend.
The words are in Jayne's handwriting. I touch the glittering letters, feeling her love for this one photo, the only thing she has left of me. That, and the little canister with two, happy birds playing in the sunshine. She wants me to be here with her in this house finishing the childhood that was taken from me.
Everything suddenly becomes clear. On Wednesdays, Jayne takes my mother grocery shopping after her AA meeting. Martha and Billy come over on Tuesdays for game night. Jillian loves Billy. She's the reason he got his act together and is now working as a mechanic. Things are working out. Jayne is gluing our family together.
I look back at Stephen with my eyes full of tears. I know I can leave her here. I know all of them will be okay.
“I’m ready,” I say.
Are you sure?
His expression is one of content.
I nod and smile at him. This is only the beginning. The beginning of eternity. Jayne is my sister and nothing can destroy the bond we share.
As Stephen and I walk back outside, I catch Jayne's eyes. This will be the last time I visit her. She grins at Casey and I can see the love she has for him, wild and unrestricted. This will never change.
I love you so much,
I say to her. She tips back her head and looks up into the blue summer sky. Her lips part and she lets out a shaky breath, a tear rolls down her cheek. Somehow, I feel she knows.
I reach out and wipe away the tear.
Don't worry. It won't be long.
The words make me smile. It will only be a few seasons for me, but an entire lifetime for her.
Stephen stands calmly beside me and I tangle my fingers with his. He lifts us from the ground, transcending the barrier between Heaven and Earth.
We're going home to play in our forest until all of us can be together forever.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
I hope you enjoyed reading Jayne DOE as much as I enjoyed writing it. I have to be honest. I’m a bit of an oxymoron. Not a total moron, just a contradicted one! For instance, the inside of me is shy, maybe a little insecure (who am I kidding, okay a lot) the outside of me is loud, obnoxious, maybe what most would call a performer. I love everyone. Literally, I meet someone and think we’ve been friends for centuries. I’m a really loyal friend. Right now, you can find me every Wednesday at Costco, eating a hotdog and editing pages. Who can resist a hotdog and a drink for $1.50? Vegan friends, please don’t hate me. I’m giving you a reason to pray. Pray for my health. You know I’m cheap! Now, let’s get something straight. If you’re a hater, please contact Jay Leno and I would be happy to talk about your concerns on his show. No, wait… Oprah would be even better. Okay, let’s move from the negativity and talk about something positive. I want to thank you for purchasing my book! It’s because of YOU that I get to have a dream! If you would like to contact me, please email
[email protected]
Or visit my website astorywrittenbyagirl.com
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