The Bear and The Book - August 18, 2010

It's 6:42 and Rachael is in her bedroom. She's gathering her stuff and getting ready to leave. She walks out of her bedroom and begins down the hall. She runs downstairs and sees her wonderful mother. She hugs her.

“Bye mom, I love you.”
“Love you, too. Have a great day, honey.”

Rachael walks out the front door and down the street. She gets her iPod out and puts in her earphones. She walks her way to school. It's a lovely mid-Autumn morning, the trees are orange, and the sidewalk is covered in leaves. She walks along as she listens to her newly downloaded music by The Tree House Cover. Eventually she makes it to school. She walks in the front doors and sees hundreds of people. Some sitting, and some standing. She spots her little group of friends and paces over to them.

“Rachael, hey. What's up?” one of the girls said.
“Hey Ashley. Nothin' much. You?” Rachael replied. Just then, a boy walks by. It's Xander Trace. He's a junior, just like Rachael. He's also 1st baseman on the Varsity Baseball Team. And not to mention, he's very attractive. Rachael looks at him and smiles. Xander continues walking completely unaware of Rachael's existence.

“He's cute. Wish I could get a chance, but I know I can't. There's better girls out there for him.” Rachael says, sadly.
“Don't count yourself out! You're an awesome girl. You could definitely get him, ya gotta talk to him first, though.” Ashley remarks. Rachael smiles and then the bell rings. The girls all scatter to class along with the hundreds of others. Later in the day, lunch arrives. The girls all stand in line together to get their meal. Then Xander walks up and stands in line behind them. Ashley nudges Rachael, getting her attention, and diverting it to Xander, discretely.

“Hey, we're going to go save us a table.” Ashley says to Rachael.
“Wait. No. Hey.” Rachael says as the girls walk away. Ashley signals for her to talk to Xander. Rachael rolls her eyes, but decides to take the chance. She turns around and blurts out:

“Hi, I'm Rachael.”
“Oh. Hi. I'm Xander.”
“So I've heard.”
“Uhhh, this is going to sound really bad, but uhhmm, do I know you?
“Oh. No,” Rachael chuckles, “I was just trying to make a new friend.”
“Oh. Well then. I'm glad I can be of service.” He smiles at her.
“So, what's up?”
“Hmm. Well. Let's see,” Xander laughs, “as you may have noticed, I'm standing in the lunch line. Nothing interesting really goes on here.”
“Oh, uhh, right. My bad. Sorry. I'm just really nervous. And when I get nervous I start rambling.
Kind of like I am now.” Rachael states, blushing.
“Hey, it's okay. You don't have to be nervous. We're friends, right?” Xander smiles as he grabs his lunch.
“Right, yea.” Rachael grabs her lunch, “Hey. Uhmm. Do you think.. you want to sit with me and my friends? I mean feel free to say no.” Rachael asks very nervously.
“Yea, sure. That would be cool.” He replies. Rachael smiles from ear to ear.
“Okay. Right over here.” She leads him to the table. They both sit down and start eating while making small talk.
“Oh, where are my manners?” Rachael says, appalled, “This is Ashley, Megan, and Penelo.”
“Nice to meet you all.” Xander says.
They all start talking. Still just small talk, though. Thirty minutes pass, and the bell rings. As the group gets up to go to class Rachael sticks to Xander's side. No physical contact, but being somewhat clingy. As though she wanted to ask him something, but was too scared. Then it happened:
“Xander, do you want to go out sometime? Rachael blurts. The second she realizes what she just said her eyes dilate to the size of opened umbrellas.
“I.. I didn't mean to say that. I don't know what I was thinking. Sorry. I'm just going to head to class now.” she added. But before she could walk away, Xander stopped her.
“Actually, I would like that very much. Hmm. Say, meet me at the park at about five today?” he said. Rachael looses her breath and stumbles slightly. Going in and out of shock rapidly.
“Okay, yea, that would be great. I'll, ahh, see you tonight then, I guess. Ahh, bye. I guess.” She said as she started backing away. She turns the corner and leans back against the lockers. She sighs and closes her eyes, as a reality check. Then she runs off to class.

The day ends and Rachael walks home. She has a skip in her step from her sheer joy of the date she has. She walks in her home and sees her mother sitting on the couch. Then she sees her four-year-old baby brother, Jayson.
“JJ!” She shouted as she ran and swiped him up in her arms.
“I love you!” She said while hugging him.
“I love you too sissy.” Jayson says while hugging Rachael back.
She puts him back down and continues to tell her mom about the date she has. Rachael begins walking up the stairs when she hears:
“Hey, Rachael, I was going through some old stuff today and I found something. It's yours, so I set it on your desk.” Mrs. Harper shouts.
Rachael continues her ascent of the stairs. She reaches the top and walks down the hallway. She gets to her bedroom, walks in, throws down her school stuff, and looks at her desk. She sees an envelope. There is nothing written on it, so she flips it over to open it. She sees a wax seal. The kind people used rings to make the engravings. She cuts the seal and opens the envelope. She pulls out a letter. It reads:

Baby girl, if you're reading this it means the unthinkable has occurred. As you know, I was diagnosed with Stage I Lung Cancer, but they couldn't operate. You were just four years old. They gave me ten years to live. I was allowed to watch you grow up into a fabulous youth. I just want you to know I love you very much. Baby girl, never give up your dreams. Always remember that. And remember that no matter where you are or what you're doing, Daddy is with you and He is looking down on you. I love you so very much. Today is June 21, 2008, I am on life support. Tomorrow they will take me off. It's my time to go. So, now. I write this to you to tell you how much I love you. And to ask you to take care of your mommy and baby brother. And to grow up into a fantastic women like I know you will.

I love you Baby Girl,

June 21, 2008
Daddy

Rachael drops the letter. She starts crying. Then Jayson walks up to the doorway.
“Sissy, what's wrong. Why you crying?” He said in his adorable four-year-old voice.
“I miss daddy, that's all. It's okay.” Rachael faintly says through the tears.
“Buy Daddy is in a better place now. So its okay. Right?” Jayson murmured.
“Yes. But it's still okay to miss him.” Rachael explains.
“Oh. Well I miss him too, then.” Jayson says. Rachael hugs Jayson. Trying to comfort herself.
“Come here, I want to show you something, JJ.” Rachael says. She opens her closet and pulls out a box. It's filled with old stuff. She pulls out a teddy bear. She looks into it's eyes. What she sees is memories. She walks over to Jayson
“JJ, I want you to have this. It's the teddy bear I had when I was a little kid, like you. Daddy gave it to me. Now I want you to have it. So you can always remember dad.”
Jayson smiles and hugs the teddy bear. Rachael continues through the box of stuff. Then she finds some video tapes.
“Aha!” she shouts.
She puts one of the tapes in the VCR and plays it. It shows the whole family sitting around the Christmas tree. Rachael is sitting in the floor with present around her, and their dad sits adjacent to her, holding Jayson. He was still just a newborn. They watch the whole video through. Then put in another one. They see their dad putting up a happy birthday banner. You see baby Jayson in his mommy's arms. Then you see Rachael walk in the door, and into the kitchen. She's surprised with a birthday cake that says “Happy 11th Birthday Princess.” They watch the rest of it. Each one makes Rachael cry a little more. They put in the last one. It shows their dad in the hospital bed. You see two-year-old Jayson hugging his daddy. Then you see Rachael hug her daddy, and start crying. She says “I'm going to miss you so much. Why do you have to go, daddy?” He just looks into her eyes and says “I love you princess.” The video cuts off. Rachael starts crying hysterically. Jayson just hugs her. Then Mrs. Harper walks in the room. She hugs the kids.
“I just miss him so much, mom. I want him to come back so bad.” Rachael cried.
“I know sweetie, I do too. But that can't happen.” Mrs. Harper replied.
“I just don't think it's fair.”
“No honey it's not. But that's something we have to deal with.”
“Not that he's gone. It's that JJ didn't get the things I did with Dad.”
“I understand sweetheart. But lets be thankful he got what he did.”
The family sits on the bed. Then Mrs. Harper stands up.
“I'll be right back.” she said.
She walks out of the room, and momentarily comes back.
“This is the book your daddy would read you two every night before you went to bed. Maybe you would like to hear the story again?”
The kids smiled and nodded. They all huddled up on the bed. Both Jayson and Rachael laid down as they listened.
“He wrote this himself, ya know.” Mrs. Harper informed them, “So let's start.”

“Once upon a time, there was a magical castle. And in it lived a beautiful princess and a handsome prince. They were brother and sister. They had lots of fun together. They liked to play outside in the sunshine, and then at night time watch the stars. One day they found a caterpillar. They gave it a name and decided to keep it. The prince and princess played with the caterpillar everyday in the sunshine, and watched the stars with it at night. But then one day, they couldn't find the caterpillar. It had gone away. The prince and princess were sad for a few days, but then they weren't sad anymore. Sometimes they missed their little caterpillar, but they still had fun without it. They still played in the sunshine, and watched the starts at night.”

Mrs. Harper looked up from her completed story book to see little Jayson asleep in Rachael's arms.
“Just go on, I'm going to lay here with him.” Rachael said as she dried her eyes.
Mrs. Harper smiled and nodded. Then walked out of the room. Rachael laid her head down on Jayson's. She saw him cuddling the little teddy bear she'd given him. Which made her smile. A few minutes later she dozed off to sleep along with her baby brother.

Rachael wakes up to the bright morning sun. She sees her still sleeping baby brother cuddling the teddy bear. She smiles as she gets up and gets ready for school. She leaves and walks to school. When she gets there she sees her friends, and walks over to them.
“So how did it go?!” Ashley exclaimed.
“Yea, how was it?!” Penelo followed up.
“How did what go? What are you guys talking about?” Rachael asked.
“Don't play dumb. You know what were talking about!” Megan replied.
“No I don't. How did what go?” Rachael questioned again.
“Rachael, your date! You know, with Xander Trace!” Ashley informed with exclamation. Rachael's eyes grew. Her jaw dropped.
“I totally forget!” she said. The three girls looked at her in dismay. Just then Xander walks past.
“Xander!” Rachael tries to get his attention. He looks back, but just shakes his head and keeps walking. Rachael sighs. She sits down and casts herself away from society for a while. She goes throughout the day. Still separating herself from the world. Just before lunch, she's at her locker putting her books up. Then somebody walks up behind her and taps her shoulder.
“Can you just leave me alone. I'm not in the mood for talking.” Rachael said.
“Okay, fine,” it was Xander, as she soon realized, “but I figured you'd maybe want to tell me why you stood me up last night.” Rachael quickly turns around.
“Xander, we really need to talk. But I just can't do it now, and not here. Can you meet me at the park. Please. I swear I'll be there, and I'll give you the reason I wasn't there. I know you'll understand. Just please.” Rachael pleads.
“Fine, but promise me you'll show up this time.” Xander says nervously.
“I promise. I'm really sorry.”

The day goes on. School lets out, and Rachael walks home. She puts up her school stuff, says hi to her mom and brother, and then goes back out. Walking to the park she thinks about how she's going to say everything. She makes it to the park and sits down. She sees Xander walking into the park. He sits down beside her.
“Xander, I'm sorry I stood you up. But I have an excuse.” Rachael spoke.
“Well, let's hear it.” He replied.
“Well, when I was four years old my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer. They couldn't operate. They gave him ten years to live. He died on June 22, 2008. Yesterday when I got home from school my mom told me she found something for me. She put it on my desk. It was a letter my daddy wrote for me the day before he died. Telling me how much he loved me and to never give up on my dreams. As I read the letter I started crying. Then my baby brother, Jayson, saw me crying and he started asking what was wrong. I told him that I missed daddy. He told me that it was okay because daddy was in a better place. Then I thought about some old keepsakes. I pulled a box out of my closet and started going through it. I found the old teddy bear I had when I was Jayson's age. My daddy gave it to me. So, I gave it to Jayson. And I found some home videos. I started watching them with Jayson. Showing him what daddy looked like. Jayson was only 2 when dad died, so he doesn't remember him. As we watched the videos I cried and cried and cried. Then my mom came in and sat with us. She told us to wait and came back with a book. She had us lay down. She'd gone and gotten the bed time story book my dad would read Jayson and me every night. She read it to us. Jayson fell asleep in my arms, cuddling the teddy bear. Then I gently drifted away, and didn't wake up until this morning. That's why I stood you up.” Rachael explained with a few tears.
“Oh,” Xander started, “I'm so sorry, Rachael. Well since we're both here, why don't we pretend like yesterday didn't happen?”
Rachael smiled and nodded. They hung out for the rest of the day. This same thing happened again and again for the next week.
The following week at school, they announced the Homecoming Dance was the following weekend. It was Homecoming week. Rachael did everything she always wanted to do in high school. She worked on the Homecoming Float, and participated in all the Homecoming events. Then she was selected to carry the float in the parade. But best of all, after the parade Xander walked up to her.
“Rachael, would you like to go to the Homecoming Dance with me?”
Rachael's face lit up like the sun. She was so starstruck she couldn't move or speak.
“Uhhh yea, yea of course, yea.” She finally blurted out.
Xander smiled, but then had to go. After school Rachael went home and told her mom that she was going to the Dance with Xander.
“Mom, I'm going to the dance with Xander. I need to get a dress!” Rachel exclaimed.
“Okay sweetie. We can go tomorrow after school, is that okay?” Mrs. Harper said with her soft, loving voice.
“Yea, that would be great. The Dance is Saturday night, by the way. I love you mommy.”
“I love you too Sweetie.”
The night comes and passes, and then school along with it. Rachael walks into her home and sees Jayson and her mom all ready to go. They all leave to go get Rachael a dress for the Homecoming Dance. They search in multiple places for hours. Then finally, Rachael finds the most beautiful dress. It's dark maroon, and looks like something from the Middle Ages. From the second she saw it, she knew that was the one. They buy it, and it fits perfectly. The days pass and Saturday comes. The plan was for Xander to pick Rachael up at eight. At around 7:45, someone knocks on the Harper's door. Rachael answers and sees a very handsome Xander Trace standing at her doorstep. She smiles.
“Come in, please.”
Xander walks in.
“Xander, this is my mom.” Rachael introduced.
“Hi, you can just call me Mrs. Harper.” She said and smiled.
“And this, Xander, is my baby brother Jayson. But I call him JJ.” Rachael explained.
“Hi there, buddy. High five?” Xander said to Jayson.
Their hands meet. And the group laughs. Rachael's mom takes pictures of everybody, and the couple take leave. They get in the fancy SUV waiting outside, and drive to the dance. Once there, they walk inside and hang out for a bit with some friends. After about fifteen minutes, the “Electric Slide” comes on and everybody starts dancing to it. Along with Xander and Rachael. Everybody is having a good time. They play a lot of party songs from the “Cha Cha Slide” even to the “Hokey Pokey.” After an hour of fun party songs, the DJ starts a slow song. Xander holds out his hand, inviting Rachael to dance. She grabs his hand, accepting his invitation. They move into the middle of the dance floor. They dance so elegantly, so peacefully, so lovingly. They dance for two songs. Then on the third, they slowly lean in, and ever-so gently their lips meet. On that dance floor, during that song, they share their first kiss.

After the dance, Rachael goes home and tells Mrs. Harper about it all. Especially the kiss. She was easily falling in love with Mr. Xander Trace. After that dance they were officially a couple. The weeks pass. They have no arguments. They seemed like the perfect couple. A month passes. It's December when the school announces another dance. It's the New Years' Dance. Of course Xander and Rachael were going together. Rachael buys a new dress. It's a sleek, black, silk dress. Very elegant and sophisticated. They go to the dance and have a great time just like they did at Homecoming. And again they kiss on the dance floor. After the dance, Xander coaxed Rachael into going out for a milkshake. Just to hang out. Rachael called and checked in, and Mrs. Harper was fine with the idea. They go out for the milkshake, and then Xander tells Rachael to go to his house, and meet his family before he takes her home. She finds nothing wrong with that. When they get to Xander's house, everything is dark. The couple walks inside and sees no one.
“Well, they must all be in bed. They told me they would be awake.” He said, “Oh well, hey, come up to my room. I want to show you something.”
Rachael agrees and the two walk up to the bedroom. They get in there, and Xander pulls out a necklace. “This necklace belonged to my grandmother. My grandfather gave it to her on their wedding day. I want you to have it.” Xander said.
“No, I can't take that. It's a keepsake.” Rachael argued.
“Yes, and it's mine. And I want you to have it. To show you that I love you, Rae.”
He puts the necklace on her, and kisses her. The one gentle kiss turned into a raging burning passionate kiss. Xander wrapped his hands around Rachael. He started walking her backwards. Toward the bed. He took off her sweater. Rachael's conscious mind has shut down. Her senses took control. Then it happened.

After it was all over, Rachael quickly got dressed and made Xander take her home. It was dark in her house, and everyone was in bed. Xander went back home, and Rachael went to bed. Although she laid in bed, she didn't sleep at all that night. Instead she lie there crying. Asking herself why she just let that happen. What were daddy have thought if he knew? She knew he was disappointed in her. She knew she had made a mistake. She regretted it more than anything. That was the worst night of her life.

On Monday at school, Rachael tried to avoid Xander as much as possible. She didn't want to be reminded of what had happened over the weekend. She hid it from everybody. She didn't let anybody know. At lunch Rachael and Ashley sit alone.
“Ashley, you know you're my best friend right? Rachael asked.
“Of course yea, and you know you're mine, right?” Ashley replied.
“Yea, now I can trust you with something right?
“Of course. What's wrong?”
“Ash, after the dance Xander took me to his house. And... we... ended up... doing it.”
“Like It It?!” Ashley exclaimed.
Rachael nodded in disgrace and shame.
“Well your secret is safe with me. But why did you do it Rae?” Ashley asked.
“I don't know. It's like one second it was a gentle kiss, but then it got out of hand. I lost control of myself. My senses took control.”

After another week passed, everything went back to the way it was. Rachael didn't feel the shame any longer. She stopped avoiding Xander. Everything was great again. And to beat that, Rachael's birthday was coming up – February 21st. It was less than a week away. The date was February 18th. Xander had already told Rachael he was going to do something special for her birthday. Rachael had no idea what that thing was, but she trusted that it would be great.

On her birthday, Mrs. Harper let Rachael stay home from school. The family spent the day together. Rachel and JJ played together all day. Then Mrs. Harper called Rachael into the kitchen. She saw a birthday cake, and a present on the counter. She smiled from ear to ear.
“Thank you mommy, I love you so much.” said Rachael.
They all sit down and eat cake, and then Mrs. Harper gave Rachael the present. Rachael tore it open, and when she saw it's contents, she broke down. Tears streamed down her face rapidly. It was a collage of all her pictures with her Dad. From the time she was a new born all the way to the last picture she ever took with her dad. It was the most special thing she'd ever received.

Later that day, Rachael got a phone call. It was from Penelo.
“Hey, Rae, have you talked to Ashley or Xander today?”
“No, why?” Rachael questioned
“Well they took off together today after school.”
“Maybe they were planning something for my birthday?”
“I don't know, I heard that they've had a history. I was just asking.”
“Oh, okay. Well I'll find out. Thanks Penelo.”
“Your welcome, oh, and happy birthday.”
The phone call is ended. Rachael tries calling Xander and Ashley both repeatedly. No one answered. Rachael walked over to Xander's house. She saw nothing out of the ordinary. She knocked on the door. Nobody answered. Rachael had an uneasy feeling. So she tried going in. The door was unlocked. She walked through the house. Nobody was home. That she knew of. She walked upstairs. Looking in the bedrooms. Then, when she opened Xander's bedroom door, what she say was the worst thing she'd ever seen. She saw Ashley and Xander on the bed, making out. Rachael's jaw dropped, her eyes got teary, and her blood boiling. She runs out the door and back home. Xander chases after her. Rachael gets home, but Mrs. Harper and JJ are both upstairs, unknowing of Rachael's presence. A few minutes later, Xander walks into the door. Mrs. Harper hears the two talking. She realizes its Rachael and Xander, so she goes back to her work while JJ naps.
“Rae, it's not what you think!” Xander yelled.
“How is it not what I think?! You were laying there together!” Rachael screamed.
“I. I.-” Xander started.
“Exactly, you don't have an explanation!”
“Just... Just get out!” Rachel screamed.
“Rae, just listen to me!” Xander pleaded.
“No, get out of my house! Leave! I never want to see your face again!” She yelled as she sat in her living room floor crying. Xander gives up his hopeless efforts and walks out the door. Rachel's mom walks down the stairs, which were located beside the front door, and saw Xander.
“Oh, Xander, you're leaving?”
“Uhh, yea. I guess so. Uh, bye Ms. Harper.” He said as he walked out of the door. He starts walking down the street. Into the darkness until he disappears. Ms. Harper walks into the living room where her daughter sits crying.
“Sweetie, what's wrong?” She asked.
“I don't want to talk about it. It hurts too much.” Rachael muttered.
“Well, it's always best to talk about it.”
“Mom! I don't want to talk about it! I shouldn't have to!”
“Rachel. Calm down honey. You know your dad-” She's cut off in mid-sentence.
“Don't talk about dad! That really doesn't help right now! Why couldn't you just leave me alone?!” Rachael yells and runs to her room. She locks her door and lies in her bed crying.
“I can't believe this happened to me on this night.” Rachael murmured as she looked at a fancy, elegant, beautiful maroon dress. She rolls over in her bed and starts crying harder and harder.

JJ wakes up from his nap. He hears his sister crying in her room. He knocks on the door. But Rachael just tells him to go away. Then the next day, Rachael goes to school and ignore everyone. She sits alone. Away from everyone. After school as everyone starts flooding out of the school, Rachael stands at the top of the stairs, she shoots a small handgun up in the air.
“Everyone listen to me!” She screams.
The whole crowd hides, but listens. Except Xander walks up to the foot of the steps. Listening to her. And Ashley steps up beside him, and the a few others behind them. A small group of people she knew and cared about her formed. Rachael puts the gun to her head.
“Is this what you want?!” She screams.
“No, Rae, we love you!” Ashley steps up and says.
“Shut up! I don't want to hear that from you! You're the slut who slept with my boyfriend!” Rachael yelled, “Xander this is all your fault. I hate you. You took things from me that no one else could. So now to escape the shame. I'm ending it all.” Rachael starts crying.
Just then Mrs. Harper pulls up and sees Rachael. Jayson does to. He knows she was upset. He grabbed the teddy bear and the bed time story book, and ran. Rachael sees him. He gets up in front of her.
“Sissy, you gave this to me, but I think you need it more. Daddy wouldn't want you to do this.” JJ says.
Rachael is speechless.
“And you shouldn't care about the boy. Like in the bed-time story. The little caterpillar went away, but the prince and princess still had fun. Please don't do this sissy. I love you.”
“JJ, I love you to. I'm so sorry I even thought about this.”
She hugs Jayson, and drops the gun. Everybody leaves the premises. And after three long months of sporadic court hearings, Rachael is charge free, and living the good life again. All thanks to The Teddy Bear and The Book.

The End

-Nick Alexander