The Silver Compass - 18 By: Sean Roberts
Author's Note: Please send feedback to seanr_13@yahoo.ca
It is very much appreciated.
A Memory
Michael's parents had missed her. Mrs. Miller fussed over making sure she was comfortable while Mr. Miller asked to see Michael in another room. They went to the foyer.
"So everything's okay?" he asked Michael.
"I don't think I'm gay dad. I think it was just a phase."
"It happens Mike. To lot's of people. I'm glad you figured it out, and that you and Sarah are friends again." They both turned to the door when they saw a figure approaching. Michael did not get to the door before the bell rang. He opened it immediately. Julia Black, in sweat pants and a black tank top was sobbing outside his door.
"Julia..." She threw her arms around him. Mrs. Miller, Matthew and Sarah appeared behind them.
"He...he was in an accident," she said, letting go of Michael.
"Who?" Michael asked. He knew, of course, but he needed the delay. He needed the time to reassure himself that it wasn't Cameron before he could allow the news to sink in.
"Cameron!" she said. "He's dead Mike!" She threw her arms around him again and he held her. He turned to his father, not knowing what to do.
Michael was introduced as a friend of Cameron's. He gave his condolences to Cameron's parents. Julia kept him around her. Her parents probably wondered how such a good friend of Cameron's, and apparently of Julia's, has never met them. He had probably never gone home. He had probably not told Julia they had broken up.
"He had been drinking," Julia told Michael a few days later. "A lot. Which is strange. Well, no," she said, letting out a giggle in between tears. "He loves to drink a lot. But with his friends. And when they have a driver. He never drives when he's been drinking. And none of his friends were even with him that night. Something must have happened to him. If he had just told me, or my parents, or..."
"Julia," said Michael. "I was with him that day."
"What?"
"It was me. I was with him, earlier. I-I broke up with him."
"You did..."
"I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier but I didn't know how to say it. I feel absolutely horrible. It's my fault Julia. He was upset, I know he was, and that's probably why he went..."
"Drinking. That doesn't surprise me."
"Julia I'm so sorry..."
"No, Mike, please. He knew what he was doing. You're not responsible. It isn't your fault. Come here. There's something I want to give you."
She took him into Cameron's bedroom and opened his closet. "He bought his Christmas presents already. I found one for you. I hid it, I didn't want my parents to see it." She handed him the neatly wrapped gift. "We're all really glad he did that, because now we have stuff to remember him by. I mean, not like we don't have other things, but it's nice."
"Yeah. It really is."
"Please don't blame yourself Mike. Whatever happened...well, happened. It's going to be tough though. These past few days, him not being around, it's...I can't even describe how horrible it is. Mike, could I call you sometime? I'd really like to sort of keep in touch. You meant a lot to him you know."
"Of course, Julia. You can call me any time." He hugged her. He had managed to hold back tears the entire time he was with Julia but he didn't know how for how much longer he could do it. "Take care." He left her in Cameron's room. She did not look like she wanted to leave it. She was trying to get into his world to ease the pain.
Michael locked himself in his bed room. The wrapping paper was a dark, metallic blue. With a gold ribbon. He untied it slowly; he opened the paper carefully. Contained in a small box was a silver pocket watch. He flipped it open. But it was too thick to be just a watch. There was another face; a compass. On the back his initials were engraved. He opened the card.
Merry Christmas Mike!
I know you've been going through a bit of a rough patch with your family. Maybe this will help you find direction in your life (by remembering me -- hint, hint). I love you Mike, more than anything in the world.
Me--Cam
He could not accept it after what he had done. Michael put the gift and the card carefully back in the box. And then he went downstairs to have dinner with his family.