It was Friday night and Isis was absolutely tormented over everything with Jackie. They still hadn’t spoken since that awful night. She knew her friend needed her, more than she needed Jackie. She wasn’t mad about the things Jackie said to her, she only wanted to be there for her. But she wasn’t getting any replies to all the texts she sent.
She picked up her phone and tapped Jackie’s name. She stared at her screen for what seemed like an eternity, then suddenly tapped call. She expected it to go to voicemail but it rang once and Jackie’s voice said “Hello?”
Isis didn’t know what to say! She didn’t think Jackie would pick up. “Jackie… hi…” she paused, speechless, and Jackie started talking.
“Isis.” She let out an audible sigh. “Look, I’m really sorry. I don’t know why I lashed out at you… I just…” Jackie didn’t finish her sentence and silence sat between them.
Isis had so many questions she wanted to ask Jackie. Did her stepdad physically abuse her? Sexually abuse her? Was it on a regular basis? Why didn’t she tell her mom? Could she convince her mom to leave him? Her mind whirled, but she knew this was not the time to poke and prod at Jackie.
Isis said softly “No I’m the sorry one. I was so panicked that night and things just spilled out of my mouth before I thought about them. I should have just been there for you instead of shoving advice in your face.”
Jackie was quick to reply this time. “No no Isis, you have nothing to be sorry about. I shouldn’t have ignored you this past week, but I was so ashamed and embarrassed. I couldn’t face you. I couldn’t bear to see pity on your face. I don’t want you to look at me like I’m helpless or something. I’m fine, I swear.”
She stopped only to take in a breath and continued “Plus, I thought you would hate me after the things I said to you. I didn’t mean any of it. I was just angry at my stepdad and took that anger out on you. I’m so sorry. Can you forgive me?” Jackie finished, and Isis could hear tears in her voice.
That made Isis start to cry too. She asked “What are you doing tomorrow? Can we meet up at the cafe? We don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want to talk about. I just miss you. I miss Jacksis.”
Jacksis was the nickname some kids at school had come up with for Jackie and Isis, and she adored it.
Jackie agreed and a smile spread across Isis’s face for the first time all week. They hung up, both feeling a lot better than they did before the phone call.
Leave a Reply