Fire and Djinn

Thanks for the Memories

“We’re here.” Bo said as we stopped in front of Lisa’s house.

Bo got out of the car and opened the door for Lisa and I. Lisa got out, stretching, and straightening her clothes and then Bo lifted the seat, and offered me his hand to help me out. The second his hand touched mine, I felt a wave of calm rush over me. I felt like I was in control, and at the same time, I felt butterflies. Stepping out of the car, I did my best to dismiss the feeling. I turned my gaze to Lisa, who now had tears slowly dripping down her face. Letting go of Bo’s hand, I walked to Lisa and gave her a long hug, I knew I was going to miss her. Sighing, I let go of her and looked her in her eyes.

“Lisa, I am so sorry that I have to do this. Please understand, I’m trying to protect you. Take care of yourself.” I said as my eyes welled up again. I backed away from her and Bo placed his hand on my arm reassuringly for a brief second before turning his attention to Lisa. I can’t watch this. I can’t watch my friend forget about me.

“I’ll be in the car.” I said as I opened the car door and sat down and closed the door.

I tried to contain my overwhelming feelings of the loss of my friend. I can’t afford to lose control of my emotions. Who knows what would happen if I didn’t keep them in check. After a few long agonizing minutes, the driver's side door opened, and Bo got in.

“The most plausible explanation for you being gone, is a foreign exchange program in Israel.” Bo said looking exhausted he looked out the front windshield and ran his fingers through his hair.

“You mean you didn’t make her forget me?” I asked surprised. Bo head snapped to look at me as he stared at me in disbelief.

“You may not know me, Elena, but I have watched you your entire life. Your mother was my best friend and more than that, I care about you. Even if I didn’t, what kind of person would do that?” Bo seemed sick at the thought of the idea.

“I apologize, I didn’t know. Thank you.” I said feeling a little guilty. “But, why Israel?” I asked.

“It’s our homeland.” He said with a smile.

“Our?” I asked confused.

“Your mother use to be the queen of Israel.” he said, still smiling.

“Oh.” That was all I could manage. For some reason when he said ‘our homeland’ it felt more personal coming from his mouth.

“So, what about my parents?” I asked him.

“Same story. Israel exchange student.”

“Right, it makes sense that the stories should match.” I spoke.

“It's not just a story. We are going to Israel.”

“What?!” I yelled at him as he slipped the car into gear.

“Don’t worry, I just figured you would like to visit someone the places your mother has been. Also, I have some friends there who can help us.” He said casually.

“Don’t I need a passport? Or my clothes, my social, and all that?” I asked slightly panicking.

“That’s not an issue.” He said amused.

“You know this is how trafficking starts. A teenager is told lies, the guy makes promises of either a job or relationship, and next thing the girl knows she’s on a plane to Cuba!” I said waving my hand in the air dramatically, making Bo start laughing.

“What is so funny?!” I asked him sharply.

“Oh nothing. You know you can see inside my head, right?” He looked at me, the amused look still on his face.

“What are you talking about?”

“All you have to do is place your hands on my head and well, visualize your questions.” He said it was the most basic thing ever.

“I get that I’m a baby Phoenix, but that doesn’t mean you can treat me like an idiot.” I was getting overwhelmed. See inside his head? Do I even want to do that? I am afraid I would feel like if I were to look in someone's head, it would be like seeing someone naked. At least that’s how I would feel.

“Take a deep breath and tell me what you are actually feeling.” he said calmly. I took a minute to calm down.

“Where were you when I was seven?” I asked him calmly.

“When you were seven? Um… That year I know you fell behind in class some, you got that Dog, Bingo, I think was his name.” He started going on.

“No.” I interrupted harshly. “I’m talking about after school when I got hit by that truck. When a couple of teenagers drove recklessly and hit me so hard that I was thrown. I tried to scream, but all I did was choke on my own blood because my throat was tore open! Where were you ‘oh immortal protector’? I laid in agonizing pain for what seemed like an eternity, bleeding out from my throat!” I was screaming and sobbing at the same time. All these years I had pushed away the memory, trying to forget it. Never had I told anyone the pain of what I had endured. The mental trauma I suffered, silently, and alone. Not until now.

Bo had pulled over onto the side of the road and flashed to the other side of the vehicle and pulled me out. I was still a sobbing mess, babbling incoherently about the pain, the blood, and being alone. Bo put his arms around me, but I tried to smack him away. He was stronger than me, like, a lot stronger than me. If I had been in the right state of mind, I might have admired his muscles, or something. But right now, all I could be angry and hurt. Bo stroked my head as my cries grew fainter and fainter.

“Elena, I am so, so sorry. I didn’t know. It must have been when I was gone for a couple weeks. I was chasing down a lead for a friend in Florida. I am so sorry, Elena. God, I am so sorry.” Bo’s voice had become thick and seemed broken up about it.

“I was scared, and alone. I couldn’t tell anyone. No one would believe me, Bo. No one.” I said into his shirt.

“I know. I know. I’m sorry.” He said over again.

“You know it’s different now than it was then.” I said, laying my head against his chest, hearing his heartbeat. “Back then, I didn’t know I wouldn’t die. It just felt like it. Now, I know, even though the pain, that I won’t die.”

“You were also a seven-year-old girl who was in a hit and run. You were innocent. The fact is, A couple of teenagers, hit a seven-year-old girl so hard there is no way they wouldn’t have felt the impact. The fact is, they either didn’t care or didn’t want to get into trouble. Both are unforgivable.” Bo said in a soft voice.

“Thank you.” I said to him.

“For what?” He seemed genuinely confused.

“For listening and understanding” I said as I pulled away from him. I didn’t blame him for the accident. I mean, I did, but it wasn’t his fault.

“Come on. We still need to see your parents.” he said gently as he put his hand on the already opened car door.

“Right.” I said as I entered and sat down. I wiped the last of my tears away and sniffed as I continued to calm down from my rant.