Chapter 14: Winter Wonders

Dear Journal:

Winter's here already?

Well, I shouldn't say that. It's been here for a while now. I guess I just haven't left the house enough to really notice it.

But Miraj sure did.

Even though I graduated and all that, I still had to get him to school.

I made sure he got to school on time, or at least had an excuse for lateness. He really wanted to go with me to see me register as a self-employed sculptor.

Then came the holiday.

He really wanted to go to the festival on his day off.

Jeez, talk about déjà vu. But I doubt he was gonna try to sell cookies this time. He just wanted to go and screw around in the park.

Hey, it got me out of the house. And it was nice. It was quiet, but nice.

There weren't many people around as a result, but that was all right. Guess some people in town can't risk freezing their privates off to spend some time in the snow.

Maybe Miraj and I are just willing to take risks.

Of course, there's taking risks, and then there's trying to skate without proper protective gear.

For once, my little bro was adamant about doing something stupid, that DIDN'T involve the police being called.

Yeah, he was probably gonna get skinned knees instead, but those heal up. Criminal record, well, now that's harder to wipe clean.

...Yes, I kept an eye on him. I said skinned knees, not cracking open his skull.

So, we messed around with all the happy winter festival stuff, eating all that festive holiday food and all that sparkly garbage.

Then Miraj asked me if we could visit the Bunch family.

I remembered every time, during this season of the year, they threw a party. Figured, we've gone to them before, it wouldn't hurt.

But things were different this time around. Usually it's all good cheer, alcohol, and someone getting a chair broken over their head. But this time it was more quiet and subdued.

Judy slimmed down something crazy. Ethan already moved out, she said. The other guys didn't show up, and I didn't bother to ask why. So it was just me, Miraj, and the girls.

But just because it wasn't like all the other times, didn't mean it couldn't be meaningful.

I think I knew the real reason Miraj wanted to visit the Bunch house. He wanted to talk to Darlene.

If that were his intent, though, he didn't follow through with it. Instead, he just stood there, and listened to me play whatever songs I could on the guitar.

From the way he was fidgeting, though, I knew he really wanted to. However, he kept himself restrained until it was time to go home.

Then I brought it up with him.

I asked him, "Usually you're so hell-bent on talking to Darlene. Why didn't you take the chance?"

"Well, bro," he told me, "You said that she might be dealing with something. I decided to just leave her alone."

Oh, Jeez, Miraj. When I said to leave her be, I didn't mean go to her house and then not talk to her.

Whatever. The day's almost done, just like the holiday.

(End of Chapter 14.)