Love, Life , Learning
Standing in the darkness on the side of a small town highway, Rebekah took Jeremy’s hands in her own.
“I don’t want to say goodbye,” Rebekah said, “It’s not the end is it?”
Jeremy looked at her through the night, a red glow cast upon his cheeks from the tail lights of Dave’s truck. Jeremy thought of his time at camp and smiled, knowing that he had made Rebekah happier than she’s ever been.
“Shalom, my friend, Shalom, my friend…” He began to sing the ritual goodbye song that Peter sung to the children before they camp to go home. Shalom… Jeremy knew it didn’t mean goodbye, but peace between everybody who sung the song.
“Shalom, Shalom,” Rebekah finished a tear on the brink of falling down her cheek. “I love you, Jeremy.”
“I love you, too Rebekah.” Jeremy replied truthfully; though he knew the significance of her love was different than his. She was in love with him, and he was in love with Cebrinah, his girlfriend. His affection was merely friendship towards Rebekah.
Earlier that night, in the back of Dave’s truck, Jeremy had told Rebekah that he loved her as he loves everybody. Rebekah understood, but did not want to think of it like that. She didn’t want to believe anything he told her, yet she did.
In his heart, Jeremy knew what he did with Rebekah was wrong, and very unjust to Cebrinah, but he also knew it was Rebekah’s first time for these things/ He didn’t do anything bad with Rebekah. But Jeremy knew how much last night had meant to her, and didn’t mean to take it all away by saying it was over.
Rebekah looked at Jeremy. Through her blurried eyes and the darkness, apart from the red glow from Dave’s tail lights shining on their cheeks; she saw the boy whom she loved more than anyone in the world. Her best friend, her love… Jeremy. She saw him for who he was, not who he pretended to be. She loved him for him.
Leaning into the hug that he offered her, she tilted her head upwards and kissed him softly before resting her head on his shoulder. This was it, and though she didn’t want it to be like this, Rebekah knew it was. This was the end of her three blissful weeks with Jeremy. The ‘Love Bug’ camp, as the other teens called it, was over, and Dave was waiting patiently for her to return to the truck so that they could go home.
“I love you, Jeremy” She whispered tenderly into his ear, “Bye.”
“Bye Rebekah,” Jeremy said, giving her a smile. She smiled back heavy heartedly. Rebekah turned, and walked towards the open door of the truck. The truck that would take her home, farther and farther from the one whom was the world.
Jeremy watched as Rebekah climbed into the truck, and watched as Dave, Telsan, Kendie and Rebekah all waved goodbye to him.
“There go my best friends.” He thought, knowing that he would eventually see then all again, sooner rather than later.
In Rebekah’s mind, she pictured him running after the truck, shouting that he loved her, and how he wanted her to be with him, always. But he never did. Cebrinah wouldn’t be happy with Jeremy for this. Rebekah hoped for the worst outcome, then took it back as she did not want Jeremy’s heart to crumble like her own heart was.
As she drove away, back home to real life, tear after tear rolled down Rebekah’s sun tanned cheek. And she knew in her heart of hearts that she would see Jeremy again; though perhaps not in the same covetous situation.