Branches Book

BRANCHES

“Because I was told to.” Shocked and confused I decided to drop the topic. We finished our lunch in silence. V. I closed my eyes for a moment. Taking in the music of the city, I walked side by side with Lillie. It was after school and I was walking her home. In the past few weeks, the distance between us had grown, but I hadn’t lost heart. I decided I might try to start up a conversation again but was interrupted. “Let's take a different route to my house,” she said calmly. I didn’t say a word and just followed her. Severely deviating from our normal route, we ended up at a trail I’d never seen before. Large oak trees cast ominous shadows on the path leading up the hill. I kept following her, now acutely aware that she never intended to go home. When we finally reached the top of the hill, I took in the full view. Fields of green populated the horizon, contrasting the sun’s multihued farewell. “The sun. It looks like a sunflower,” I remarked offhandedly. I paused for a couple seconds, but no response came. “Why did you bring me here?” “I’m so sorry Eric.” “Huh?” I looked up to see Lillie staring straight ahead at the sunset. The corners of her mouth twitched with emotion, betraying the resolve in her eyes. “What are you talking about? What’s wrong?” She pretended like she didn't hear me. “The therapy sessions have been going well. Shrink says that many of my issues can be treated with medicine. But some... some she says have to be confronted on my own.” A white hot flash of pain resonated in my skull. Terror. I could see she was holding back tears. “She says that progress can’t be made in other areas until I take care of this.” She hesitated before continuing. “I have to get rid of my... my best friend.” The pain suddenly stopped. I didn't yet understand, but for some reason an emotion quite different from terror or joy began to calm me down. “Best friend?..... What do you mean.” “He died in a car crash we were both in when I was 15. But... he’s been with me ever since.” “I don't understand...” “Yes. You do.” A flash of that strange emotion blinded my senses. “Eric, where do you live?” “Where do I? Of course I.. I uh.. Where do I live?” “What do you do when you aren’t with me?”

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