Chapter 19: 19. Avoiding Her

19. Avoiding Her

- Jacob -

I have been dreading this day for the past week, but it’s finally here. Coco is cooped up against me in bed. She never came into my bed when I was asleep. But now, here she is… as if she can tell I am upset.

This entire week was wretched. David & Sam apologized for their behavior at the party. But things are sour in the team. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting their apology. It looked half-assed, anyway. Probably, coach or West forced them to apologize.

I am thankful to June for taking on David that night. Me raising hands on them first wouldn’t have ended in a good way for any of us. With the evaluation match coming up close, we cannot afford an injury. Consequently, team spirit is low right now. But I couldn’t ignore what happened. They will get around. If they don’t, it’s their loss.

Although I am glad that the argument didn’t end up in some new rumor. I have seen stories stir up for no reason at old school, so I was a little concerned. But West told me he had warned the boys and assured no one from the party will talk about that fight or Natalie again.

That night, I wanted to talk to Natalie so badly. I cannot even imagine how awful it must feel when such nasty things are being said about you. But then I remembered, the less I talk or think about her, the better and easier it would be for me.

Last night she sent me a text asking if I was doing alright. Not sure why she asked that. But I didn’t answer. I am not supposed to talk to her for my own good.

Yesterday I had a bad argument with June, as if everything going south was not enough already.

She has been trying to convince me the whole week that I should ignore that message. Last night, she burst into tears while arguing. Made me feel worse. I felt frustrated when mom asked if I was sure about it.

It is hard for me.

Ever since we took Coco in, Mom has always given me an earful. When June became upset last night, she was considering whether we should keep Coco? But the point is… she isn’t ours to keep.

Coco has a loving family, and she has to go back.

I haven’t felt this upset ever since grandma passed away.

Oh, Coco…

What am I gonna do without you?

I hug her tighter and stay in bed some more time.

After a while, Coco wants to go out. I get up and get ready. My bags are already packed. Her stuff is ready too. After breakfast, we will leave.

“Let’s take our last walk together, Coco.”

Now when she is going away. She has been behaving very obediently. It’s almost funny.

“Where was this side of yours, girl?” I ask while putting her harness on with tears glimmering in my eyes.

I jog along by her side to clear my head. After running a few laps near the lake, we finally slump on a bench to catch a breath.

Basically me, Coco looks fine.

From the corner of my eyes, I notice Natalie approaching us. I feel a pang of pain in my chest.

God! Why did I have to see her today? I came here with Coco every morning this week. We never crossed paths before.

Why today?

I have no strength to talk to her or even look at her face, so I get up and head home before she can reach us.

.

- Natalie -

.

It felt like a taste of my own medicine.

I noticed Jacob a few times last week. He seemed a little off. Yesterday, it was clear he was barely holding it together. I texted him asking if he was alright. He didn’t reply. I tried to approach him this morning. He didn’t acknowledge me and walked away.

I shouldn’t have ignored him like that. Now he has done the same to me. I realize how awful it feels.

As I am busy fixing my dressing table, I glance at Jacob’s car parked in his driveway. I notice something peculiar. Jacob puts some luggage and a backpack in his car. He is going somewhere. Then a big bag of dog food, Some Coco’s stuff, and a dog bed?

What is happening?

My mind starts whirling when I notice June hugging him, then Coco. Mr. & Mrs. Miller are hugging Coco as if it’s goodbye.

No No No No…

Is this what I think it is?

I grab my phone and wallet and run downstairs.

“I am going to Ira’s today.” I declare to no one in particular and run out of the house.

“Wait!” Mom calls me from behind.

“I will call you... I just got a ride!” I yell back at her.

As I run towards Jacob’s house, I notice his car has already left his driveway.

Thank Goodness He is driving my way.

Would have looked odd, me running behind his car like a madwoman with my arms waving. I wave him to stop his car and wonder what if he doesn’t stop? He pulls over and rolls his window down.

“Where are you taking her?” I ask breathlessly.

“Found her family. Going to drop her.”

My shoulder slump. I say after a pause, “I am coming.”

He sighs and says, “Natalie… I am going out of town. Her Family lives somewhere on a farm very far from here. I will come back tomorrow.”

My throat tightens. I didn’t see her for one entire week. Met her on that stupid evening when West was here. I will never see her again. Can’t I spend some time with her?

“I will take a bus or something. I am coming,” I declare and open the backseat door to sit with her. To hell with manners. I want to be with her.

Jacob glances at me through the rearview mirror and starts the car. His grim expression at school makes sense now.

Coco licks my face and palms for a good ten minutes. “God!! Enough with the kisses, Coco…”

“So.. What is her real name?”

He gives a rueful smile. “It’s Ella.”

“Does she respond to it?”

”Yea she does.”

“When did you find out about her family?” I ask him after a while.

“On Monday…”

I have so many questions.

Are they good for her? Why was she left in that park out in the cold? And why didn’t they come to pick her up?

But I don’t ask anything. I have forced myself on this ride. I don’t want to annoy him by asking questions or doubting his decision. So I stay quiet.

“I am sorry Jacob…” I tell him after some time.

He says with indifference, “Don’t bother! I am not in the mood or headspace right now.”

His indifference stings.