by Lari Smythe
* * *
I hated the drive up to the Faulkner place. It wasn't like I was afraid of them, it was because it meant leaving Izzy. Despite her, 'I'm fine,' bravado, I knew she wasn't ready to leave me either. I was surprised to find the house still boarded up, but Izzy seemed to take it in stride.
"I guess you'll have to come home with me after all," I said, pulling up to the base of the staircase that led to the barricaded front door.
"No, I'll be fine."
"No way. I'm not leaving you out here alone."
"I'm a big girl, I can take care of myself."
"Sure, I know, but I don't think you should be alone, not right now."
"What, you think I'm some fragile little school girl, or too embarrassed to face Elizabeth?" she snapped.
"Are you?"
"Of course not." Her voice lacked conviction.
"I still don't feel right leaving you out here alone. Where do you think they are? Do you think they know that you learned the truth? Do you think that's why the house is all boarded up?"
"Don't be ridiculous, one way or another, they'll be back. In the meantime, looks like I have some straightening up to do."
"You're going to take the boards down?"
"It's not like I'm tired."
"Okay, I guess, but I still don't feel right about it. Let me get your stuff."
"That's alright, I've got it." She grabbed her backpack and scooted out of the Jeep.
"Alright? No, no, no." I hopped out and met her at the base of the stairs. "May I?" I took her backpack and slid my arm around her waist. "See, chivalry isn't dead."
She smiled, but it looked forced.
Guess dead wasn't the best choice of words, but I let it go fearing I'd only make things worse.
Izzy effortlessly pried the boards away from the door and then, there we were. "I don't know what to say," She began. "I—I—"
"Hey, it's me who should be thanking you. I was just another high school kid until I met you. I feel like I've grown up since then and I owe that to you."
"I wouldn't be—" she paused, searching for the word.
"Alive," I interjected.
"Okay, I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for you. You washed away all this hatred I've been harboring—I don't know how I can ever repay you."
I wrapped my arms around her. "We have the rest of my life to work on that."
We kissed—a passionate kiss at first—but it became sorrowful like a goodbye, until she finally pulled back.
"See you tomorrow?"
"Haven't you seen enough of me?" she replied.
"Never."
"I don't know, I may have to try and find the Faulkners."
"No, no, you can't leave—"
"I'm not leaving you, Jason, I just have to figure out where they are."
"Okay, as long as we have that straight. Listen, there was a guy here, kind of keeping an eye on the place. He lived somewhere down the road. He might know where they went."
"Good as place as any to start I guess."
"Then I'll see you tomorrow?"
"I don't know. Tell you what, I'll come to you once I know where they are."
"How long will that be?"
"You can't stay attached to my hip like a child," she huffed. "Give me a couple of days."
"Okay. I don't like it, but okay. Wait." I ran down and grabbed my cell phone and the instant charger out of the Jeep. You hang on to this so I can call you, make sure you're okay."
"Fine, if it will make you feel better." She gave me a quick peck on the cheek. "Now go see your mom."
By the time I got in the Jeep, Izzy was gone, the big wooden door closed. I was worried about her, she was dealing with a lot, and now this. Maybe it was just information overload, yeah, that must be it. I didn't have anything to worry about, no two people were meant for each other more than Izzy and me.