Chapter 12 (µÚ1/2Ò³)
S since last summer.
t sold me, ttered t brief moment, time opped and I uood everyt ood o do tood first nig o ears in ood ime and I kept ing by tely clear.
ed Cmas at to be so special . . .
to college . . .
hy shed given me her Bible . . .
It all made perfect sense, and at time, noto make any se all.
Jamie Sullivan had leukemia . . .
Jamie, s Jamie, was dying . . .
My Jamie. . .
"No, no," I o be some mistake. . . .¡±
But t, and blank. My arted to spin, and I g to igo keep from losing my balance. O I saos to keep trotted across topped to smell some busanding on a stepladder, taking doing to go away.
"Im so sorry, Landon," s saying over and over. It my fusio me from saying anything.
Deep do go ao do, tears filling my eyes, trying and failing to be think she needed.
e cried togetreet for a long time, just a little opeely t t . e cried er t afternoon, and my moto boted to call tor because t someto my fat made t to ion, o be o before hed even finished.
Everyone in tion stared in silent disbelief at t ing for a pune none of told. t ohe wailing began.
e sat told me, and Jamie patiently ansions. S kno anytors could do. It didnt respond to available treatment. Yes, ed, s fi until t fe sarted to feel its effects.
"ts progresses," s;You feel fine, and t keep fig.¡±
Stifling my tears, I couldnt t the play.
"But all t have-¡±
"Maybe," sting me off. "Doing t kept me hy for so long.¡±
Later, sold me t seven montors had given her a year, maybe less.
t mig. treated her.
t ty years ago, and I k.
Only a miracle could save her.
" you tell me?¡±
tion I asked Id been t. I slept t nigill so sado anger and back again, all nig so and praying t terrible nightmare.
e o tion. It was January 10, 1959.
Jamie didnt look as depressed as I t s t o knorusted even me. I and frig time.
"Id made a decision," so me, "t it ter if I told no one, and I asked my fato do ter today. No oo live, is t ?¡±
I k didnt make it any easier. I time in my life, pletely and utterly at a loss.
Id never o me die before, at least not a I could remember. My grandmot remember a si feer ories, of course, from bot to me ts exactly ories I mig some ake me flo only for t behind.
No one in my family or my circle of friends o front someteen, a cill very muc time. I only for for me as o ever get angry in okay to talk about ture anymore? My fear made talking to , tient h me.
My fear, made it all ed to spend time een days. teen days seemed like my entire life, but now, w here would be.
On Monday s s s lunco class. Sh school forever; she would never receive her diploma.
I couldnt trate on anyt in class t first day back, listening as teacer teacold us of us had already heard.
to told stories about e for answers.
"I dont kno; was all I could say.
I left sies, bloer lunch.
t t, it seemed, a care in the world.
"; s;this is a surprise.¡±
o kiss me, I kissed to cry.
"My fat no if youd like to sit on the porch, we .¡±
"; I asked suddenly. "end t nothing is wrong?¡±
"Im not pretending t not me get my coat and outside and talk, okay?¡±
S me, ing for an a and patted my arm.
"Ill be rig; she said.
I o t do later. S, gloves, and a to keep er nearly as cold as it ill, t oo much for her.
"You in scoday," I said.
S;I know.¡±
"Are you ever going to e back?" Even to from her.
"No," sly, "Im not.¡±
" sick already?" I started to tear up, and s and took my hand.
"No. today I feel pretty good, actually. Its just t I to be o go to t to spend as mucime h him as I .¡±
Before I die,s to say but didnt. I felt ed and couldnt respond.
"ors first told us," s on, "t I sry to lead as normal a life as possible for as long as I could. t h up.¡±
"t t; I said bitterly.
"I know.¡±
"Arent yhtened?¡±
Someed o sayno, to say someto explain to me t presume to uand the Lords plan.
S;Yes," s;Im frigime.¡±
"t you act like it?¡±
"I do. I just do it in private.¡±
"Because you dont trust me?¡±
"No," s;because I know youre frigoo.¡±
I began to pray for a miracle.
time, and Id read about them in neers.
People regaining use of ter being told terrible act raveling preat up outside of Beaufort, and people o co a couple, and t most of t even I couldnt explain. Old man So berenc an act- imes o sneak off . But tarted praying feveris loud, making people practically jump out of ts. errified look on ouce- poker, but ttering t;I ; Even believe it. "t; to , " do ao our prayers.¡±
So t nig Jamie mas and began to read. Noo be frank, I just remembered ts-tes could leave Egypt, Jonaer or raising Lazarus from too. I kne practically every cer of tacular, but I learians ament, and I didnt kno t books like Jos nig I read ticus , folloeronomy. t a little sloain parts, especially as all t I couldnt put it do I didnt fully uand.
It e one nigired by time I eventually reae I y-tarts, "t ," but I ed to read to be more important ter an ion t I assumed Jamie ed because it meant someto it said:I cry to you, my Lord, my rock! Do not be deaf to me, for if you are silent, I so t like t. ition as I cry to you for oward your holy of holies.
I closed tears in my eyes, uo finishe psalm.
Some for me.
"I dont knoo do," I said numbly, staring into t of my bedroom lamp. My mom and I ting on my bed. It difficult mont in February t worse.
"I kno; s;but thing you do.¡±
"I dont mean about Jamie being sick-I kno t.
I mean about Jamie and me.¡±
My mot me sympatically. S Jamie, but s me. I on.
"Its o talk to t be able to. So I spend all my time at sc t o knoo say.¡±
"I dont knoo make ter.¡±
"t should I do?¡±
S me sadly and put ;You really love you," she said.
"it.¡±
S;s your telling you to do?¡±
"I dont know.¡±
"Maybe," sly, "youre trying too o .¡±
t day I ter muyself t I say anyt mig Id try to talk to s exactly . I sat myself on old some of my friends and ball team. I told I still t I old o graduation. I spoke as to scire time. Jamie smiled and te times, asking questions every no I time I finisalking t it time I . It didnt feel rigo either of us.
My elling me exactly thing.
I turo t it would guide me.
"; I asked a couple of days later.
By noake on a sligint, and tarting th her skin.
Again I saw bruises. e were inside oo muco bear.
Despite all till looked beautiful.
"Im doing okay," sly. "tors seems to tle.¡±
Id been ing by every day. time seemed to be slo exactly time.
" I get anything for you?¡±
"No, thank you, Im doing fine.¡±
I looked around t her.
"Ive been reading t; I finally said.
"You ; up, reminding me of t believe t only six weeks had gone by.
"I ed you to know.¡±
"Im glad you told me.¡±
"I read t nig; I said, " to Job to test h.¡±
S to pat my arm, on my skin. It felt nice. "You ss not about God in one of ter moments.¡±
" to him?¡±
"I dont kno; she said.
"Do you ever feel like Job?¡±
Stle times.¡±
"But you lost your faith?¡±
"No." I khink I was losing mine.
"Is it because you t get better?¡±
"No," s;its because its t.¡±
After t, arted reading toget some to do, but my elliill mighing more.
At nig it.
Reading to focus on, and all of a suddearted to get better bet as doing someto offend could be m kno, I ted ture, and occasionally he room.
Otimes Id be sitting beside tc of t time, and it. S it.
Sometimes s I t, and I did my best, too, ts ;Is t really means to you?" s it before trying again. Sometimes, t rate, hand on my knee and all.
One Friday nig my table and sat in t we could be alone.
It ting t been leaving his was a good ge for her.
Sine about opped ill as stunning as it time Id seen do-my mom s s inside-ook her hand.
"tonig; I said.
Surention bae. "ting me.¡±
I paused. "her holding up?¡±
Jamie sig;Not too .¡±
"he loves you dearly, you know.¡±
"I know.¡±
"So do I," I said, and en her again.
"ill you keep ing over to my ; s;Even later, you know, when . . . ?¡±
I squeezed enougo let I meant w I said.
"As long as you me to e, Ill be there.¡±
"e dont o read t to.¡±
"Yes," I said softly, "I think we do.¡±
S;Youre a good friend, Landon. I dont kno you.¡±
Surning tting across from me, s.
"I love you, Jamie," I said again, but time s frigead our eyes met across table, and I co suro me again. I kissed urn.
"I love you, too," she finally whispered.
to hear.
I dont knoold about I someed it because ine c all. It o leave ter sued. I ten as explaio Jamie t ;Okay, Daddy," I alo open t me in, and silently pull out and , buttoning t up all t t zippers, t o me, even after Jamie and Id begun to read together.
till didnt like me in t to e in. I kne part of to do t Jamie to get g oive o at t I t needed some time alooo, and t talk to me about t time ay. I o stay in t was all.
Jamie ill moving around fairly er reak ble part of January t lasted nine days, ferest in leaving ter stand on t a couple of mio breathe fresh sea air.
her
£¨±¾ÕÂδÍ꣬Çëµã»÷ÏÂÒ»Ò³¼ÌÐøÔĶÁ£©
¼ÇסÊÖ»ú°æÍøÖ·£ºwap.966xs.com
S since last summer.
t sold me, ttered t brief moment, time opped and I uood everyt ood o do tood first nig o ears in ood ime and I kept ing by tely clear.
ed Cmas at to be so special . . .
to college . . .
hy shed given me her Bible . . .
It all made perfect sense, and at time, noto make any se all.
Jamie Sullivan had leukemia . . .
Jamie, s Jamie, was dying . . .
My Jamie. . .
"No, no," I o be some mistake. . . .¡±
But t, and blank. My arted to spin, and I g to igo keep from losing my balance. O I saos to keep trotted across topped to smell some busanding on a stepladder, taking doing to go away.
"Im so sorry, Landon," s saying over and over. It my fusio me from saying anything.
Deep do go ao do, tears filling my eyes, trying and failing to be think she needed.
e cried togetreet for a long time, just a little opeely t t . e cried er t afternoon, and my moto boted to call tor because t someto my fat made t to ion, o be o before hed even finished.
Everyone in tion stared in silent disbelief at t ing for a pune none of told. t ohe wailing began.
e sat told me, and Jamie patiently ansions. S kno anytors could do. It didnt respond to available treatment. Yes, ed, s fi until t fe sarted to feel its effects.
"ts progresses," s;You feel fine, and t keep fig.¡±
Stifling my tears, I couldnt t the play.
"But all t have-¡±
"Maybe," sting me off. "Doing t kept me hy for so long.¡±
Later, sold me t seven montors had given her a year, maybe less.
t mig. treated her.
t ty years ago, and I k.
Only a miracle could save her.
" you tell me?¡±
tion I asked Id been t. I slept t nigill so sado anger and back again, all nig so and praying t terrible nightmare.
e o tion. It was January 10, 1959.
Jamie didnt look as depressed as I t s t o knorusted even me. I and frig time.
"Id made a decision," so me, "t it ter if I told no one, and I asked my fato do ter today. No oo live, is t ?¡±
I k didnt make it any easier. I time in my life, pletely and utterly at a loss.
Id never o me die before, at least not a I could remember. My grandmot remember a si feer ories, of course, from bot to me ts exactly ories I mig some ake me flo only for t behind.
No one in my family or my circle of friends o front someteen, a cill very muc time. I only for for me as o ever get angry in okay to talk about ture anymore? My fear made talking to , tient h me.
My fear, made it all ed to spend time een days. teen days seemed like my entire life, but now, w here would be.
On Monday s s s lunco class. Sh school forever; she would never receive her diploma.
I couldnt trate on anyt in class t first day back, listening as teacer teacold us of us had already heard.
to told stories about e for answers.
"I dont kno; was all I could say.
I left sies, bloer lunch.
t t, it seemed, a care in the world.
"; s;this is a surprise.¡±
o kiss me, I kissed to cry.
"My fat no if youd like to sit on the porch, we .¡±
"; I asked suddenly. "end t nothing is wrong?¡±
"Im not pretending t not me get my coat and outside and talk, okay?¡±
S me, ing for an a and patted my arm.
"Ill be rig; she said.
I o t do later. S, gloves, and a to keep er nearly as cold as it ill, t oo much for her.
"You in scoday," I said.
S;I know.¡±
"Are you ever going to e back?" Even to from her.
"No," sly, "Im not.¡±
" sick already?" I started to tear up, and s and took my hand.
"No. today I feel pretty good, actually. Its just t I to be o go to t to spend as mucime h him as I .¡±
Before I die,s to say but didnt. I felt ed and couldnt respond.
"ors first told us," s on, "t I sry to lead as normal a life as possible for as long as I could. t h up.¡±
"t t; I said bitterly.
"I know.¡±
"Arent yhtened?¡±
Someed o sayno, to say someto explain to me t presume to uand the Lords plan.
S;Yes," s;Im frigime.¡±
"t you act like it?¡±
"I do. I just do it in private.¡±
"Because you dont trust me?¡±
"No," s;because I know youre frigoo.¡±
I began to pray for a miracle.
time, and Id read about them in neers.
People regaining use of ter being told terrible act raveling preat up outside of Beaufort, and people o co a couple, and t most of t even I couldnt explain. Old man So berenc an act- imes o sneak off . But tarted praying feveris loud, making people practically jump out of ts. errified look on ouce- poker, but ttering t;I ; Even believe it. "t; to , " do ao our prayers.¡±
So t nig Jamie mas and began to read. Noo be frank, I just remembered ts-tes could leave Egypt, Jonaer or raising Lazarus from too. I kne practically every cer of tacular, but I learians ament, and I didnt kno t books like Jos nig I read ticus , folloeronomy. t a little sloain parts, especially as all t I couldnt put it do I didnt fully uand.
It e one nigired by time I eventually reae I y-tarts, "t ," but I ed to read to be more important ter an ion t I assumed Jamie ed because it meant someto it said:I cry to you, my Lord, my rock! Do not be deaf to me, for if you are silent, I so t like t. ition as I cry to you for oward your holy of holies.
I closed tears in my eyes, uo finishe psalm.
Some for me.
"I dont knoo do," I said numbly, staring into t of my bedroom lamp. My mom and I ting on my bed. It difficult mont in February t worse.
"I kno; s;but thing you do.¡±
"I dont mean about Jamie being sick-I kno t.
I mean about Jamie and me.¡±
My mot me sympatically. S Jamie, but s me. I on.
"Its o talk to t be able to. So I spend all my time at sc t o knoo say.¡±
"I dont knoo make ter.¡±
"t should I do?¡±
S me sadly and put ;You really love you," she said.
"it.¡±
S;s your telling you to do?¡±
"I dont know.¡±
"Maybe," sly, "youre trying too o .¡±
t day I ter muyself t I say anyt mig Id try to talk to s exactly . I sat myself on old some of my friends and ball team. I told I still t I old o graduation. I spoke as to scire time. Jamie smiled and te times, asking questions every no I time I finisalking t it time I . It didnt feel rigo either of us.
My elling me exactly thing.
I turo t it would guide me.
"; I asked a couple of days later.
By noake on a sligint, and tarting th her skin.
Again I saw bruises. e were inside oo muco bear.
Despite all till looked beautiful.
"Im doing okay," sly. "tors seems to tle.¡±
Id been ing by every day. time seemed to be slo exactly time.
" I get anything for you?¡±
"No, thank you, Im doing fine.¡±
I looked around t her.
"Ive been reading t; I finally said.
"You ; up, reminding me of t believe t only six weeks had gone by.
"I ed you to know.¡±
"Im glad you told me.¡±
"I read t nig; I said, " to Job to test h.¡±
S to pat my arm, on my skin. It felt nice. "You ss not about God in one of ter moments.¡±
" to him?¡±
"I dont kno; she said.
"Do you ever feel like Job?¡±
Stle times.¡±
"But you lost your faith?¡±
"No." I khink I was losing mine.
"Is it because you t get better?¡±
"No," s;its because its t.¡±
After t, arted reading toget some to do, but my elliill mighing more.
At nig it.
Reading to focus on, and all of a suddearted to get better bet as doing someto offend could be m kno, I ted ture, and occasionally he room.
Otimes Id be sitting beside tc of t time, and it. S it.
Sometimes s I t, and I did my best, too, ts ;Is t really means to you?" s it before trying again. Sometimes, t rate, hand on my knee and all.
One Friday nig my table and sat in t we could be alone.
It ting t been leaving his was a good ge for her.
Sine about opped ill as stunning as it time Id seen do-my mom s s inside-ook her hand.
"tonig; I said.
Surention bae. "ting me.¡±
I paused. "her holding up?¡±
Jamie sig;Not too .¡±
"he loves you dearly, you know.¡±
"I know.¡±
"So do I," I said, and en her again.
"ill you keep ing over to my ; s;Even later, you know, when . . . ?¡±
I squeezed enougo let I meant w I said.
"As long as you me to e, Ill be there.¡±
"e dont o read t to.¡±
"Yes," I said softly, "I think we do.¡±
S;Youre a good friend, Landon. I dont kno you.¡±
Surning tting across from me, s.
"I love you, Jamie," I said again, but time s frigead our eyes met across table, and I co suro me again. I kissed urn.
"I love you, too," she finally whispered.
to hear.
I dont knoold about I someed it because ine c all. It o leave ter sued. I ten as explaio Jamie t ;Okay, Daddy," I alo open t me in, and silently pull out and , buttoning t up all t t zippers, t o me, even after Jamie and Id begun to read together.
till didnt like me in t to e in. I kne part of to do t Jamie to get g oive o at t I t needed some time alooo, and t talk to me about t time ay. I o stay in t was all.
Jamie ill moving around fairly er reak ble part of January t lasted nine days, ferest in leaving ter stand on t a couple of mio breathe fresh sea air.
her
£¨±¾ÕÂδÍ꣬Çëµã»÷ÏÂÒ»Ò³¼ÌÐøÔĶÁ£©
¼ÇסÊÖ»ú°æÍøÖ·£ºwap.966xs.com