The Next Generation: Chapter Seven: "Gibber Jabber"

When it comes time for James to leave, Lynna is in the bath, and me and him wait on the porch for his Mom. His hair is still wet, much different from my frizzy hair. I say, "Doesn't your Dad normally pick you up?"

"U-um. Yeah, but he's busy with game night."

"I thought Game Night was canceled?"

"O-uh-it is-um-damn." He stutters and stares down. His eyes are wet. I reach forward and rub his shoulder-blades as his Sobs start. I have no idea what is going on, but I just want him and his Dad to be ok.

After a few minutes, he begins in a shakey voice, "He-he left. Him and Mom were fighting, and he threw a lamp-it crashed and hit Jerico, you know, M-my cat? He-he was bleeding and Dad wouldn't pay for the Vet. He took all the money and l-left. *He left us*, Willow. Dad's aren't supposed to leave you. There supposed to be with you to the ends of the earth. Instead I have a half-dead cat sitting in the Vet with an unpaid bill, a shattered lamp, and a ripped family."

He starts sobbing now, something he has never, ever done. Even when he was being bullied by a dumbnut dude named Draven, his eyes were never even wet.

I reach forward and rub his shoulder-blades as his Sobs start. I have no idea what is going on, but I just want him and his Dad to be ok.

After a few minutes, he begins in a shakey voice, "He-he left. Him and Mom were fighting, and he threw a lamp-it crashed and hit Jerico, you know, M-my cat? He-he was bleeding and Dad wouldn't pay for the Vet. He took all the money and l-left. *He left us*, Willow. Dad's aren't supposed to leave you. There supposed to be with you to the ends of the earth. Instead I have a half-dead cat sitting in the Vet with an unpaid bill, a shattered lamp, and a ripped family."

He starts sobbing now, something he has never, ever done. Even when he was being bullied by a dumbnut dude named Draven, his eyes were never even wet.

He is heartbroken, and there is nothing I can do about it. I feel anger immersing itself through me. How dare his dad do that to James! I want to lurch up and find the idiot dad and kill him, no matter what mountains I have to climb.

All I can find the words to leave my mouth are: "Sh..Sh...It's ok...It's ok..."

He sits up, his eyes red and wet. "Willow?" He says, like a pathetic child. I frown, not liking the way he is looking at me. To stop the weird feeling creeping up, I hug him, even though the dumb chair arm threatnes to murder my stomach.He pulls me in, and when I'm pulling out, he pulls me back in, making me jerk back gently. What is going on?

And then he Kisses me.

It is soft, light lipped, and odd, full of salt and tears, but a slight taste of Honey from the Cheesecake we had at dessert. It lasts seconds and when he pulls away I am the most shocked person in the world. I jump up, my eyes searching everywhere but him.

"U-um." He stands up, too, looking confused, and there, thank the lords, is his mom's car. She honks, and looks over at her then back at me. I say, "Um, Bye. It was n-nice having you over. I hope Jerico get's better."

Then I run into the house, anger, confusion, surprise, an odd bit of happiness, and sadnnes all mixed into one. I rush into my room, where Lynna sits crosslegged on my bed. When she sees me, her eyes go wide. Her big, big, fawn eyes. "What's wrong?" She asks

"I don't know. I really, I really, don't know." I whisper and climb onto my bed. She stares at me and I find myself explaining. I've never opened up to anyone.

She nods, eyes furrowing, and something I cannot name filling up her brown eyes.

I do not remember much after. I do remember her perfume, though how it still lingers after her bath, I do not know. I remember a hug, and the cool sheets, and Mom's "Good night, honey" her kiss on my forehead. That is all. I am to tired to try and confuse all my thoughts into a never ending nothingings vast of who-knows-what and gibber-gabber.