Short Story

Jasey's Birthday

by DY Butler

It is a bright sunny morning and Jasey is getting ready for school. Jasey wanted to go to school even though it was her birthday and her parents told her she could stay home if she liked. Jasey liked school, her friends, her teachers and her classes. Her best friend, Tao walks with her to and from school every day as he has since they were 7 years old. Jasey ate her breakfast, and kissed her parents goodbye at the door. She saw Tao waiting on the sidewalk and smiled and waved at him. He waved at Jasey and she turned to look back at her parents one last time and smile. Jasey's parents looked at her curiously and waved to her. Jasey walked and smiled the few blocks with Tao and complimented his new hairstyle and clothes she hadn't seen before. They arrived at school and then separated to go to their classes. Several of Jasey's friends came up to her and asked how she was doing. They hugged her and were glad to see her. "We thought you would not come to school today", they said. The bell rang and it was time for homeroom class to begin. Jasey could not wait for class to end because the first class was math and Tao had math class with her. They sat together and helped each other excel ahead of the rest of the class. Jasey always knew that Tao was very smart and she was so proud of how well he did in school and was always willing to help her. Tao always told Jasey that as long as she needed him he would always be there for her. Homeroom ended and Jasey walked out into the hall to meet with Tao and go to their math class. Jasey did not see him in the hall, she looked at her watch and thought that maybe she forgot that he was going to meet her at class and not in the hall this morning. She did forget on occasion. So Jasey walked alone down the hall to math class.

Jasey walked into class and saw Tao sitting there in the desk next to hers. Yes she had forgotten. He turned and smiled at her and she sat down next to him and pulled out her book and turned to the lesson page that was written on the board. When the teacher asked for an answer to an equation, she leaned over and whispered to Tao, "Hey you know that, raise your hand silly". Tao just smiled. Jasey raised her hand and answered the teacher.

When class was over Jasey walked out with Tao and they attended their remaining classes and then got ready to go home as it was a short day today Wednesday, Jasey's birthday.

Jasey and Tao walked down the hall toward the doors and someone called Tao's name. Tao stopped walking and turned around. Jasey turned and there was a bright pink light that was blinding. They both shielded their eyes as they tried to see who was calling Tao. The blinding light disappeared and Tao was gone. Jasey turned to the doors and began walking toward them. She thought perhaps, that was where Tao went and began running to try to catch up to him. Jasey burst through the doors and on the first step was Tao's book bag with a rose and a birthday card. Jasey picked up the card and read inside, it said "Jasey, as long as you need me I will always be there, Love Tao".

Jasey sat down on the step and inhaled the single pink rose and began to cry. Pink was Jasey's favorite color and she suddenly missed her friend. Just then Jasey's mother came through the school doors and sat down with her daughter. She held her close and told her she was going to be alright.

Jasey cried harder, harder than she has ever cried. Tao died one year ago today when he turned 13 and Jasey did not accept that he was gone for a very long time. When she waved to Tao on the sidewalk, walked to school with him, complimented his appearance, joked with him in class...etc. Jasey was all alone and her parents and teachers and friends were worried about her. Today was the anniversary of her best friend's death this is why her parents said she could stay home if she chose to .. not because it was her birthday as she thought. She looked at her rose again and her card through her tears and she began to smile. She saw a shadow over her shoulder and smiled more as she wondered, the book bag, the card, the rose where did they come from? Jasey told only one person what her favorite color was... Tao.