JEANIE

Dear Travis,

Somehow I can't believe how stupid I am.

It all makes sense.

And that's what breaks my heart.

Jeanie.

TRAVIS

I have to get out of the house.

Everything is packed up, and even though I could care less about this house, I don't want to leave.

But that is just because of one person.

So since tonight is my last night here, I decide to go to my favorite place in town. The place where they have my favorite food.

So I grab my wallet and head out. It is right down the block to the right, so it doesn't take me long to get there and park.

I get inside and find a table. I take a seat, facing the entrance. I pick up the menu and stare at it as if I am considering my options.

But I already know what I am getting.

Jeanie always told me that even though I was a man of appetite, I always get the smallest plate of food here than anything else.

Something small of something great is so much better than a huge portion of something not quite as good.

I never told her that though.

But it's what I remind myself of every day.

When I'm without her.

Because I only had a life with her for so little. And I wouldn't ask for anything else.

Not even for a life with someone who wouldn't have to die because of me.

I give my order to a waiter when he comes around, and I still look at my menu, eyes only for the contents inside.

I spy down at the burger section and see her favorite bacon cheeseburger.

Closing my eyes, I wish she was here.

Jeanie.

When she was here, she ate so much more than me, and I teased her endlessly. She pretended to ignore me for one whole dinner.

But then when we were leaving I'd tickle her until she said something to me.

And it is usually along the lines of, "Stop it!" and then I'd stop.

Man, if I knew then how many times I would come here without her, I'd come here so often.

I mean, if I knew that I would only have seven months with her, I would have taken back every argument, every bicker, every fight, everything I might have said that hurt her. I'd take it all back.

I'd apologize. I kiss her more times than she'd allow me. And take every opportunity to tell her I love her.

If only I had that information then.

Everything would have been different.

"Your fish sticks, sir."

I jump, startled. "Thank you," I reply as the sticks are placed in front of me.

Once I pick one up, I dip it in my sauce, and just before I take a bite, I hear a yell and look across the room to see my Jeanie seated next to a soaked waiter.

Her eyes lock with mine.

Oh no.

She stands rather quickly and moves around the waiter. He jumps and begins to sop up the mess, while I drop my fish stick back on my plate and run after her.

I make it outside. I look around the parking lot, but don't see her, then look to my right and see her walking down the sidewalk.

"Jeanie."

I grab her hand and turn her towards me.

"Travis," She breathes.

She's crying. I reach up to wipe away her tears but then stop. I'm not supposed to be here. I let my hand drop to my side.

"Stop." She wrenched her hand from my grasp, and I wanted to stop her but didn't. "Just stop, please," She begs.

I don't have the heart to say anything.

I have only seen her get angry once in my life. And the last time wasn't pretty.

More tears fall.

"Do you even have any idea how hard this is for me? Being so close to you, but I am never allowed to have you? Close enough to touch you, but would literally die if I did?" Her voice goes up an octave.

"Yes-" I try to reply, but get cut off.

"No! Because if you did, you wouldn't even be here. Where I'm standing or even at this restaurant. You told me yesterday to basically get out of your life. That this is the only way. But you don't even believe that." She points a finger at me.

"Yes, I do," I say, trying to say it sternly, but her face and angry expression break my heart. I don't want her to be mad. I can't leave if she's mad at me.

She laughs. "You sure don't act like it. Is there really even a letter, Travis? A threat over my head? Because I'm doubting it. Maybe I was right all along. You've never loved me, and this is just a way to get me out of your life,"

"No!" No, no, no. How could she think that? Do my words mean nothing? "Never believe that. Jeanie this is real. I'm not making it up. I love you," I say, almost starting to cry.

She has to know. She has to know I love her.

She has to.

"Those are just words, Travis. How do I even know that you were even hypnotized? How do I know that Lucy ever-"

No! No!

I actually growl. I can't help it when it escapes through my teeth, but it makes me mad. Mad to the fact that she has to know.

"Jeanie Stone. I am, and forever will be, yours. Never Lucy's!" I bark. "And I never knew you were going to be here tonight. I didn't follow you. Please believe me," I beg.

Her face shows no belief in my statement.

I feel myself falter.

I've lost her. I've just lost her.

My body doesn't believe it. Because I grab her wrist and pull her close. She doesn't fight me. Then I wrap my hand around her waist.

What I am about to do says what she is saying is correct. That I neither cared if she lived or died.

But I do. More than she cares to admit.

So I whisper the words so she knows that this is not to help her argument.

"Forgive me."

I kiss her. Hard. I know she is reacting, but why would I do this if I did not love her? Why would I not fight for us if I didn't want her in my life in the first place?

It doesn't make sense. Why she thought I didn't love her.

I want more, but I pull apart when I hear what sounded like a bullet sound off.

Reacting quickly, I cover Jeanie as I pull her to the ground. I am breathing heavily as we hear a scream.

Then I realize the scream is coming from Jeanie.

I yank myself off of her. I scan her body, then see the growing red of her blood by her collarbone.

She starts to cry, not saying a word as she looks at me with a ferocity to save her. To help her.

I try to pick her up. She cries some more, but I ignore it and hear the siren. Someone has called 911.

She's going to be alright.

"Jeanie? Jeanie!" Another voice comes onto the scene, and I turn in time to see a fiery redhead coming our way, eyes wild.

"Fran," I say, relieved to see a familiar face.

"What happened?" She asks, placing her hand on Jeanie.

"Someone shot her," I say, the realization hitting me.

And it's all my fault.

Whoever did this could hurt her more.

I have to leave.

Now.

The ambulance arrives, and the paramedics take her from me and Fran goes with her. I realize now is the best time to disappear.

Forever.

A hand is on my shoulder. "Travis. Thank you," Fran says from behind me. I don't turn.

"No. I did this. Tell her goodbye for me," I say, and her hand flies off my shoulder.

"I will," her voice is hard.

Then I walk away. I glance behind me to see Jeanie watching me. Tears in her eyes.

I close my eyes. And when they open she is already in the truck. And driving away.

I do the same. Climb into my Jeep, and call Jared. He picks up.

"Hey, what's up man?"

"Jeanie just got shot."

"What?"

I sigh. "Fran's with her. You should come."

"What about you?"

I hold my breath, "I think I've done enough damage. I'm leaving tonight. I'll... probably not see you soon, buddy."

I could almost hear his anger. "Alright. Take care man. Please. I'll hurt you if you don't."

I laugh. "Deal. Take care of her for me."

"I will."

I hang up.

Stuff the phone in my pocket.

And go home.