In Rawley, Finn’s class had just let out. Scout ran off on his bike to go see Bella. "Mr. Krudsky." said Finn. "Yeah?" Will answered as he finished packing his books in his bag. "I have to talk to you about something." "Yeah, what is it, is something wrong?" Will asked. "No, not at all Will, quite the opposite actually. If you recall, this past summer I asked you to submit that essay you wrote to that contest." Will searched his memory remembering too well his adventure while trying to get his essay to the post office on time. "Yup, I remember. What ever happened with that?" Will asked. "Well, I got this in the mail yesterday." Finn said handing an official looking notice to Will. Will read it: Dear Mr. Krudsky, We are pleased to inform you that your essay submitted this past summer has won first prize. First prize is $1000. Your check is enclosed. We thank you for your creativity and look forward to reading more of your talented writing. As an additional gesture we are going to publish your essay in "Writer’s Weekly". The best of luck in all you do. -The Board of Literature and Writing of New England Will screamed, "Oh my god, I won!" he jumped up and gave Finn a hug. "I can’t believe it, I won, I totally forgot about that contest!" "Well done, Will." Finn said as he handed him the check and the magazine with his essay printed in it. "I advise you to invest that money wisely. Put it in the bank and put it towards college.". "Oh I will, wow! I can’t believe it! I’m going to tell my parents…er, my Mom." Will said. "Oh, I’m sorry Will I didn’t know things were still up in the air with your Dad. Do you want to talk about it?" "No, that’s OK Finn, I’m able to deal with it now. I’m glad I have a mother who is so loving and supportive. I try and count my blessings." Will said. "Okay, that’s certainly very good. Now run off and spread the good news, make sure you buy every issue of that magazine the news store carries." Finn said. "Thanks so much Finn, Bye!" Will said as he left the classroom smiling. He hopped on his bike and made his way to New Rawley to tell everyone the good news. . . . Jake had rarely seen Hamilton so happy. The Knicks won 96 to 79 and they were slowly filing out of the stadium with two autographs on the basketball. "Have fun, Ham?" Jake asked as she took his hand. "You know I did baby, thank you so much" "Okay, lets get some ice cream, then we should probably get home. My mom…" Hamilton put his arm around her small shoulders. "I’m here for you, Jake, okay, and I’ll help you through this one. We’ve enjoyed each other for the past few days, now we just have to face reality and see how we can stay together forever. I’m going to help you and I won’t leave your side again I promise, things are going to be perfect again." Hamilton assured her lovingly. Inside, he was really trying to assure himself. He had no idea how he’d deal with his own parents; and more importantly, how he’d be able to have Jake to hold in his arms forever. It was such a good feeling, holding her. Especially when she was in her girl persona. He felt so much bigger and stronger than her, like he was protecting her...and that was his protection, knowing that he had Jake to protect. He sometimes laughed at his corny, mushy thoughts, 'God, a year ago I’d never thought I’d think that.' often came to his mind. But then he’d look into Jake’s eyes and understand all over again. By that time, they had reached a small Haagen Dazs. Hamilton’s arm was still around Jake until he let go to open the door for her. "So, what are you in the mood for?" Hamilton asked, whipping out his wallet. "...and yes, I’m going to insist on paying even though I know you don’t like that principle because you have done nothing but spoil me since I got here so I think you can handle me buying you an ice cream. So, what’s it gonna be?" he asked Jake who was looking at all the flavors. "Wanna share a big mint chocolate chip shake?" she suggested. "Yeah…sounds good to me" he said and licked his lips in that way that just made Jake melt. Hamilton ordered the extra large shake and paid. He grabbed two straws and they sat down at a cozy two-person table in the back of the store. They drank their shake slowly, both not wanting it to end, because they knew they’d have to face Jake’s mother afterwards. They laughed every few sips when they’d lean in to take a sip at the same time and bump foreheads. Finally they finished, slurping sounds signaling the end of the shake were heard and Hamilton looked at Jake. "Ready?" Hamilton asked her. "I hope so. Lets go, Munchie." she said and bravely threw the cup in the trashcan. Hamilton took her hand in his and they made their way back to Jake’s apartment. . . . Will came running into his house. "Mom! Hey mom!" he shouted. "Your mother is at the salon." his father said, emerging from the staircase and scaring Will. "Oh, hi, I didn’t know you were home." Will said, looking at the floor. "It’s okay, I wouldn’t expect you to know that anyway." his father said in a cold tone. "Dad, I didn’t mean anything by it, why’d you have to go make it into a big deal, I’m sorry I just came to share some news." "I’m sorry Will, what did you come to tell us?" his father said. Surprised by the sudden change in tone, Will answered, "Well, over the summer Finn, my teacher entered one of my essays in a contest and I won, I got a check for $1000 and published in a magazine, isn’t that great?" Will exclaimed, hoping that his statement wouldn’t make his father resent his accomplishments anymore. "Good job son, I’m sure your mother will be pleased to hear that. What are you going to do with the money?" his father asked. "I’m saving up for college so I guess it’ll just sit in the bank." Will said. "Okay, son, that’s wise. Now, I have work to get back to, see you soon." and he turned back up the stairs. Will was so surprised and at the same time pleased by having had a normal conversation with his father. "Could this be the start of a better relationship?" he thought to himself as he left through the back door and made his way to the salon. . . . Jake turned the knob to her door and entered her house still holding Hamilton’s hand. Hamilton could feel her grip strengthen as they walked into the kitchen to find Jake’s mother sitting with Consuela and drinking coffee. "Mom, hi. You remember Hamilton?" Jake said giving her mother an unenthusiastic hug. "Of course I do, he’s the one who has made you so…happy lately. Welcome Hamilton. You never sent me your pictures, they had some great potential." her mother said. "Thanks so much Ms. Pratt, I totally forgot about it, sorry. But I have some newer photos here if you’d like to look at them later." "Yes, of course, and I have already insisted that you call me Monica, sweetie." Hamilton blushed and Jake cleared her throat. "Yes, Jacqueline, we have several matters to discuss. You held yourself from me when I could have tried to make things better, that’s not how to solve a problem. That's all communication. But there are other things that were called to my attention by the Dean and we must see to them. Would you like to discuss them now or later in private?" Monica asked. "Now is as good a time as any." Jake said. "But I want Hamilton to come with me, lets go to the living room." she said and took Hamilton's hand again. He gave her a reassuring squeeze. Together they walked silently behind Jake's mom and onto the black leather couches in Jakes large living room. "Okay Jacqueline, why don't you start explaining this to me because I'm having a very hard time understanding what would make you do something so outrageous?" "Mom, I don't know where to start." Jake said looking at the carpet. "I guess it's when Dad died. You know how close we were and it was so hard for me. Every day coming home and seeing his things untouched and his side of your bed empty, it was so heartbreaking. I really needed support and I assumed that we'd get closer, like get through our hard time together. But you didn't need me to get through it, you just busied yourself even more with work. Mom, this killed me. Not only had I lost my dad, but I also lost my mom." "I couldn't stand being home anymore, I was too alone. Only Consuela paid attention to me so I started switching from one boarding school to the other. But you still didn't care enough about me to get to know me. I had to do something, I couldn't keep going on like that. So I figured that if I added it up a notch and did something even more drastic than finally you'd get the idea that I need you. So, I did this…" Jake said trailing off. She looked at her mother expectantly, waiting for some sort of response. Hamilton, whose arm had been around Jake's shoulders the entire time, rubbed her back approvingly. "Jacqueline, why didn't you come talk to me? It would have made everything so much easier." "Mom, you didn't want to talk to me, the bottom line is, I needed you and you weren't there. When I met Hamilton, I was amazed to feel love again. I had totally forgotten what it felt like to be loved so much by someone so close to you...that really hurts." "I'm sorry, sweetie." Monica said as a tear fell from her eye, leaving a trail of mascara on her cheek. "I will try my hardest to build on our relationship. At the Regatta you seemed so happy without me, I figured you were satisfied with you life as it was. But that's no excuse, I'm deeply sorry." she replied. "I know you are, Mom." "Jacqui, there are still other issues, you broke so many rules, and you might have even committed a crime. That is inexcusable, no matter what the personal circumstances are. Hamilton's father has notified me and as much as Hamilton means to you, he must go home. His family needs him and Rawley Academy is where he belongs." "I want you to keep in mind that the dean isn't the one keeping you two apart, and neither am I. No one asked you to masquerade as a boy, even if I might have influenced your decision. I love you Jacqueline and we have a lot of time to make up for, but we can do it. Let's start with fixing up the problem we have caused." "I don't understand what you're trying to tell me mom...that me and Hamilton can't be together? His father couldn't do it so why do you think you can? We love each other too much for that and you know it. You know what it's like to be in love, I remember how you used to look into Dad's eyes, I remember!" Jake said, rising to her feet, starting to scream. "Jake, calm down, shhhh…" Hamilton tried to soothe her, pulling her back down and holding tightly onto her hand. "Jacqueline, I don't know what it's like to be in love and I know that you are in love. I see it in your smile, In the way you talk, the way you look at him and it scares me to know that you have found 'your one' at age sixteen. But that doesn’t change what happened. I'm not saying you can't be together, but Hamilton must go home. What kind of parent would I be if I let him stay?" Monica said, in a calm tone, hoping Jake would understand. "Jake, I think your mom might have a point." Hamilton said meekly. "WHAT? Hamilton, how could you say that, I can't be without you!" Jake said with her eyes watering. "I know Jake." He said touching her cheek. "But we will be together, and soon, I'll think of something. It's just that I left without saying anything and I have to be a little more responsible than that. My parents, you know, they might be a little too addicted to rules, but I love them and I know I hurt them by choosing you. You are the most important person in my life Jake, I need you to know that." Hamilton said sternly. "I do…" Jake nodded. "...and I wouldn't let the most important person in my life just disappear. I didn't before and I won't now. Lets just give my parents some time...maybe we can work something out, I don't know. You have to be strong, okay Jake. You can live without me, you just don't want to and I don't either." Hamilton said, starting to get choked up himself. They embraced. They hugged with longing, hope and love. Monica sat silently crying at the site of her baby girl confessing her love to someone so important to her. She was disappointed in herself that she wasn't the one Jake felt that love towards but she was proud to have raised Jake into a beautiful girl with a heart capable of such unbelievable love. "Jacque, I hope you don't hate me even more for this, I will do anything I can to help you two be together, I promise you. I know you're in love - that is probably an understatement. Hamilton, when you're ready, call your parents and we'll arrange a way for you to get back. I'll let you two be alone for a while." Monica said as she stood up. She walked over to her daughter and kissed the top of her head. She put a hand on Hamilton's shoulder and said, "Thank you Hamilton. For loving her when she didn't think I did, for making her happier than I have ever seen her." Now, even more tears staining her tired face. Hamilton just looked up at her, too afraid that if he talked he'd cry. |
| Perfect |
| Part 6 |
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