Nightcaps - Holding Jeffrey's hand
From Create Your Own Story
I take his hand in both of mine and press his against my cheek. It feels warm; I feel like it's a small part of him that I could hold onto forever, whether he stays or not. I feel a little better, and stop crying. Jeffrey starts to say something but stops. I hold on for what feels like an hour, but is probably more like three minutes, before he speaks up. (Several of the other kids are turning in empty plates now.)
"You also know that they're not trying to be mean, they really care about us." "They're even going to excuse your absences after lunch, so we can say goodbye. At least they're giving us that much." We usually wouldn't get to spend more than twenty minutes together, since classes fill most of our awake hours.
The "five minutes left" chime rings, and I give him his hand back. "Well, let's finish our lunch. You've hardly touched yours, I'm still starving, and... what's five minutes compared to two hours?" I was giddy at the prospect of so much time we could have to ourselves.
"Almost 4.2%" He's such a smart-ass sometimes, that I at least have to fake-slap him, and I do. "Eat your lunch, math-boy," I say, laughing a little, and we both start back on our lunches. A little colder now, and a little damp from tears, but darn if it's not the tastiest lunch I can remember eating.
I almost forget to wash it down with O.J., and laugh inside. By the time I'm done, he still has a little ways to go on his grilled cheese; I don't feel totally satisfied, but I trust that my brain will just take a few minutes to catch up. Anyway, now it's my turn to stare at him while he eats. "You don't have to watch me eat, you know." He's laughing, quietly. "You could turn in your plate; I'll catch up to you in the halls." Well, I remember, he doesn't like it when he feels like people are rushing him to eat. But he's leaving soon...
What should I do?
