No Such Thing

The End

Dinner was finished, the cook and her assistant cleaned up as the family headed to their rooms for bed. Their father headed to his office to finish the last bit of his work. Their mother helped direct the children in the nightly routine, making sure everyone bathed and got things ready for the next day. Cayden slipped past the kaos and to his room without being seen. He closed his door and walked deep into the massive space. Each bedroom was large. More space than any of them needed. It came furnished as their father got everything inside as well as the land that surrounded the home. In fact, she willed everything to Paul. Ignoring her other nieces and nephews. Even an estranged son, Nathan. He and his mother had a falling out several decades ago and he stopped talking to her. His choice, not hers. She didn’t know whether he was alive or dead. No one did, really.

Cayden lay across his bed, still thinking about Natasia. He has to snap out of it. He has homework to do!

His phone rang, making him jump. He stood and grabbed it off of his dresser. “Hello?” He answered. The home still had landlines. Each room had their own. Cayden and everyone in the house had cells, with the exception of Abby and Herran. They were still too young, according to Paul. Only a few people had his landline number. One being his girlfriend. He didn’t want his cell to die while he was talking to her. Or listening to her breath. Or watching shows with her. So, he told her to call him on his home phone. So, she had. Every night before he went to bed, or before normal people went to bed. “Hi.” He heard her voice on the other end. “Hi Jemma!” he calmed once her sweet sound came across the line. Like suddenly, everything felt right again. “I miss you.” She started off. Words from an angel. “I miss you too. Maybe I can come see you, or you come here this weekend?” He thought out loud to her. “I don’t know. I don’t know if I would be able to. And, you don’t drive. I can’t imagine your brothers would bring you all the way out here.” She sounded disappointed. Almost like she was, aggravated. “What’s up, Jem? Are you ok?” He said, concern growing. “I…” she stammered. “I don’t think I can handle this, Cayden.” She dropped it on him. Straight from the angel’s mouth. Right for his heart. He didn’t need to hear more. He knew a long distance relationship wasn’t going to last. They moved here at the beginning of summer, so she had time to think this over for three months. “Jem, what are you talking about? Do what anymore?” He knew. But he decided she needed to say it. To confirm his fear. His heartbreak. The end of existence. “I can’t handle you not being here with me. It hurts. I thought we would have more time. I thought we could go through high school together, you at my side. But you’re not Cay.” She spit out. It sounded almost, angry. “You’re in another state, at a different school, probably being... friendly.” She pushed the last word out. “Jem, what are you talking about. I’ve only had two days of school so far and both were absolutely miserable. I think about you all day.” He swallowed that lie down. He stopped thinking about her this afternoon. On his way home. He knew it. He felt awful. But, she’s on the phone now. He has to make her change her mind. If he could. “Jem, we can make this work. It doesn’t look like it now, but we can and we will.” He could hear her crying on the other end. “Jem, please. Just be patient. I’ll be 17 soon and I can drive. I’ll come over every weekend. Every holiday. Every day off. Just hold with me. Please.” He closed his plea. He could hear her sigh, take a deep breath and finally say… “Cayden, I can’t see you anymore. I’m sorry but I can’t do this anymore. It isn't healthy. I worry about you more than I focus on life. We, I can’t go on like this. Sorry. Please don’t hate me.” She cried, and hung up the phone.

Cayden dropped the receiver to the floor and sat on his bed. Slumped backwards and sank deep. Deeper than normal, into his dramatic life. He couldn’t believe what he just heard. Did Jemma just break up with him? He stared at his wall in confusion. Was that a break up? He heard a knock on his bedroom door. He ignored it. He didn’t want to talk. He wanted to wallow in self pity. The knock came again.