Born To Write

“Let’s meet at the mall,” Blake told me just before he hung up, “Ok,” I said to no one and put the phone in my back pocket. He sounded despondent and down since his girlfriend had passed away earlier in the month and figured he might just have to talk some things out. I grabbed my keys and headed out to the mall.

I felt bad and was hoping I could at least give him some peace by listening to him. I had always considered myself a good listener and was cruising down the boulevard when my phone ring, it epwas Blake. He had changed his mind and wanted to come over to his house instead. I flipped a quick u-turn and headed towards his place.

The road that lead to his house windy and lined with trees. The only light was what the moon provided until I finally reached his driveway. There was a single light on by the porch. I could see Blake pacing back and forth by the front window and appeared to be holding something, but couldn’t tell what it was from where I was, but I would so find out.

When I approached the door I heard the door open and there he stood holding a gold necklace in his hands. He was twirling it back and forth. He stepped aside and offered me a drink. He was fidgeting and kept walking back and forth.

“What’s that you have buddy,” I asked.

“It’s a Josie’s necklace. I kept it after she passed away.”

I thought that was sweet, but was surprised that her parents let him have it. It appeared to be a heart, maybe a locket. I asked him if I could see it, and he handed it to me. I took it in y half realized it had a picture of Josie and her mother in it.

“That is pretty cool her parents let you have this.” He shook his head and said, “They don’t realize I have it.”

He pulled the necklace back and told me to follow him. I got up and followed him down the hallway in a back room. Before he unlocked the door he asked me if I could keep a secret. I assured him my lips were sealed. He unlocked the door and pulled a dangling chain to turn on a light and twang I saw was disturbing.

There along the shelves on all three walls were boxes of what appeared to be all kinds of jewelry. I wasn’t sure what I was looking at but he soon made it clear. These were souvenirs from every girl he had ever gone out with. There had to be at least ten boxes from everything from necklaces and rings to watches and necklaces. I thought it was sweet but very creepy at the same time.

“You went out with all these girls,” I asked him.

He smiled and said, “Well not all of them but most.”

I was confused but left it and we walked out of the room. We went back in the living room and had a few beers and talked about what had recently happened with Josie. At first he seemed down but mood quickly changed to an indifferent mood. He almost seemed happy he was out of the relationship, but people grieve differently so I let it slide.

When the night ended I began getting ready to leave he grabbed my arm and said, “ remember don’t tell anyone.” I nodded and told I promise and walked to my car and headed home.

On the way home when the music in the radio was interrupted by a news report.

“There is a break in the Josie Walker death. It has been determined that it wasn’t an accident. Police are asking the public for any help they can provide. Her mother is asking if they find her gold heart pendent to let her know so she can retrieve it.”

I pulled over the side of the road and stared at the road and realized what Blake had just showed me. I realized this was promise I couldn’t keep.