Chapter 23.5
May Fourteenth
Wolfgang
Wolfgang dropped into his seat across from his mother at breakfast. He didn’t want to join her today but he needed someone to talk to about the night before. “I can’t let her leave mom.”
She sighed, unsure of what to say, “I get it Wolfgang but she’s already had the injection. Margaret is not going to let her stay.”
Marilyn served her son breakfast in hopes he would eat something.
“June didn’t do anything wrong, why should she be punished? Not just her, me, you, her roommates and anyone that knew her, we all have to grieve for her now?”
He argued with himself muttering, “In reality, she’s unconscious in some room in the mountain.”
“I know.”
She stared at her son who wasn’t eating.
He pressed the heel of his palms into his dry irritated eyes over his cooled pancakes. “I can’t let her go mom. I can’t. I’m going to talk to Margaret tomorrow, this whole thing isn’t fair.”
Marilyn wiped her lip and placed her napkin on her half eaten plate, “Do you think Margaret is going to let her stay? ”
“I don’t think so. I’ll leave if she doesn’t.”
She raised a brow, “That’s a little dramatic don't you think? You’re young and you can move on.”
He unintentionally glared at his mother, “I won’t.”
May Fifteenth
Wolfgang entered Margarets office at nine zero three, right after her door opened. “Margaret, can I talk?”
She gestured to the spare seat, “I expected you.”
He sat on the edge of the chair, “How can I keep Juniper here?”
Her throat twitched, “You can’t. I’m sorry.”
“No, no. How can I keep her here?”
“Wolfgang,”
She sighed, “She won’t remember you, this island or anyone on it. It would be selfish to try that, I’m sorry it’s done.”
“Margaret, you’re like family. Why can’t I have this one thing?”
She crossed her fingers on her desk, “You can’t have a human, she made her choice and she’s leaving. It’s done!”
Wolfgang stood abruptly, “I will never forgive you for this.”
“I’m not asking you too.”
*****
Wolfgang sat on his bed staring at the black television with June’s necklace intertwined in his fingers when gentle tapping entered his bedroom door. He placed his feet on the ground, the necklace back down and trailed to the door, “Yeah?”
He opened it to see Brittanya. “Hey.”
His brow pressed together seeing her sympathetic face.
“Come out here, let's talk.”
Brittanya led him to the couch where Whitney and Fade sat. He placed himself cornered to the arm rest and she sat next to him.
“I’m sorry.”
Whitney spoke first. Her bare face made her look more sad with her red eyes. “June became one of my best friends, this is going to be hard to get over.”
Fade threw his arm around Whitney, “At one point Whitney wanted to leave, I can’t imagine if she did or if I didn’t have a chance to change the situation. I’m sorry man and I’m here if you need anything.”
“Yes.”
Brittanya placed a hand on his knee, “We’re here if you need anything . We love you and we love Juniper. You’re not in this alone.”
He looked at them somberly, “Thanks guys, I just need some time.”
May Seventeenth
Wolfgang thought too much about it and he was ready to get dirty. “Jay?”
He knocked on his door frame to his office.
He looked up from his screen, “Yeah? What’s up?”
Wolfgang grabbed the handle to the door and softly closed it. He lowered his tone, “I want to know when you’re leaving, I’ll do whatever it takes to go with you. I’m not leaving her.”
Jay pulled out a tab of paper and began writing without looking up at him and responded, “Look, that’s not really determined yet and it’s also confidential information that Margaret doesn’t like giving out, especially to people who it doesn’t concern.”
He slid the paper to Wolfgang. “Sorry I can’t help you.”
It read:
5/22 Monday-Arrive before 8am to avoid MM
Payment- get Amy to talk to me
For the first time in four days he felt optimistic, even if it meant getting June to fall in love with him again and learning how to live in a different culture. She was worth it. His eyes found Jay’s, “Thanks anyway.”
and tucked it into his pocket.
*****
“Max?”
Wolfgang knocked on his roommate's door.
“Yeah?”
His door opened revealing himself and Shianne hanging out.
He stepped back, “Can I talk to you alone for a second?”
“Of course.”
He closed his room. “Everything okay?”
“If you were in my position what would you do?”
He crossed his arms.
“Like if Shianne had to leave?”
Wolfgang nodded. “Not a chance. I’d leave with her.”
His head shifted towards Wolfgangs in realization.
“You think you can handle the workload for a bit?”
Max struck his palm against Wolfgang’s arm, “I’ve got you.”
May Twenty Second
“Wow, you made it.”
Jay looked down at Wolfgang with his backpack over one shoulder.
He looked around the tarmac, “It seemed easier than swimming.”
Jay waved him up, “Come on. I’ll hide you until we get in the air. There’s a few other board members that will be assisting and they don’t know you’ll be stowing away.”
Wolfgang followed him up the steps and down the row of seats. Jay opened a back room revealing a bed, “Airplanes have beds?”
“This one does. It’s an old corporate jet and it’s useful for my resource trips. This is only occupied by me, so no one should be coming back here. If you hear someone, that door has a bathroom.”
“Alright, how long will it be?”
He set his bag on the mattress.
Jay turned to leave, “About an hour, you’ll know when we are in the air. Feel free to come out after.”
May Twenty third
Wolfgang stared out the airport shuttle van taking in the scenery of North California. “So you know where we are going?”
“Yes.”
Jay didn’t look away from the road.
Wolfgang looked around the cab interior, “Is the airport going to know we took this?”
“They haven’t yet. The place is pretty run down and I’ve noticed my trash in the back is still there.”
Wolfgang sighed and looked behind him, Jay wouldn’t let him sit in the back and have Ben up front, he said it would be too weird. He couldn’t look at Ben and turned back around. “We’re getting close.”
Jay lifted his eyes to read a sign.
Wolfgang internally groaned, he didn’t know how or when he would get Juniper back to himself but he wasn’t leaving without her. The van rocked over a speed bump into the parking garage and maneuvered through the covered structure, “We’re looking for a silver sedan, license plate ending in one one zero.”
He continued to the next sedan and the next, stopping on the second floor, “There.”
Jay parked the van and stepped out.
Wolfgang followed him up to the silver vehicle and Jay tried the handle before slipping a long piece of metal down the side, “What is that?”
He questioned Jay.
“It’s a slim jim, it unlocks vehicles.”
He tried the handle again and the door popped open. “Let's get Ben in.”
Wolfgang slid the van door open and stepped back. If he was to do it, Ben would wake up with a headache and some questionable bumps and bruises. “Grab his things, will ya?”
Jay grunted, slinging Ben over his shoulder and to his vehicle while Wolfgang balled up his wallet, phone and Jay’s trash to toss in the back seat of Ben’s car.
Jay walked to Juniper’s side and opened the door, “I got her.”
Wolfgang stepped up and scooped her into his chest. He followed Jay to the silver sedan and placed her gently in the passenger seat. He crouched looking at her face that hung down, “I love you Juniper.”
He whispered to her and pressed her head against his shoulder as he took his last hug. A tear rolled down his cheek and into his beard as he kissed her cheek twice and then balanced her head on the head rest. He picked up her hand and kissed her knuckles as Jay closed the shuttle doors. Wolfgang piled her hands into her lap and caressed her face one last time, thumbing her cheek.
“Let’s get moving.”
Jay reminded him.
Wolfgang gently closed the door on her, “Jay.”
He stepped up to the van, “I’m not leaving with you.”
“What?”
He looked at him baffled.
“I’m going to get her back, even if I have to start over. What are your chances of coming back here in July?”
“Uh?”
He puffed out his cheeks with an exhale. “I don’t know, if I leave you here, more likely than not, Marilyn and Amy will make sure of that. Is this what you want?”
Wolfgang grabbed his backpack off the passenger floor, “Yes, I’m bringing her back with me.”
He stood with confidence.
“Alright man, I’ll be at the airport for a little bit before I leave. You have your tablet?”
“Yes.”
Jay stepped to him, “Let me see it.”
Wolfgang followed his order and handed it over. He watched Jay’s fingers flick the screen for a moment before passing it back, “There, that program helps the tablet work here. Reach out if you need me. Good luck.”