Chapter 7: This Is the End, Beautiful Friend, the End

24 August 1986 – West Ware Road, Enfield, Massachusetts

Jeff and Pauline sat at the breakfast table, each lost in their thoughts while they ate. Today was the day that they would say goodbye to each other, ending their relationship of eighteen months. Neither was under the impression that the goodbye would be easy. They held each other’s hand, desperate to maintain contact; they were willing to struggle through eating one-handed to do so.

Pauline’s new environment at college would bring new opportunities and experiences. Jeff would share in none of those things since he would be a high school senior. They agreed to remain friends, but neither took any comfort in that, today.

Marisa watched the young couple with sorrow. She was amazed that she’d allowed Pauline to sleep over for the couple’s final night together. Marisa knew full well what happened behind Jeff’s door last night. All four parents admitted to one another that the couple was being mature and thoughtful about the impending separation. Their request wasn’t that outrageous.

Pauline had been good for Jeff, a good first girlfriend. And good first, well, other experience. No parent wanted to think about that part of their child’s development, but she admitted that they handled being caught in flagrante delicto last year with maturity. Marisa worried about how her son would handle the coming days.

Breakfast ended all too soon. Pauline gathered her things because it was time for her to head home. She said goodbye to the rest of the Knox family before Jeff walked her out to her car. His family remained inside to give the teenage lovers some privacy. Once at her car, Pauline embraced Jeff and began sobbing. Jeff couldn’t keep a dry eye himself. They held their embrace for some time before either spoke.

“Thank you, Pauline,” Jeff whispered. “Thank you for letting me be your boyfriend. Thank you for giving me a chance.”

“Thank you, Jeff,” she sniffed. “Thank you for making my choice last year seem like a complete no-brainer. This past year and a half has been the best I ever could have asked for. I’ll compare how anyone else treats me from now on to how you treated me. Don’t become a recluse this year, okay? Have some fun, it’s your senior year.” She paused, the old, familiar twinkle of mischief returning to her sad eyes. “Don’t forget, I’ve got a very loyal spy in the Class of 1988 watching you.”

He had to chuckle. “Don’t hit my sister up for too much information,” he grinned despite the pain of impending loss.

Pauline nodded and her demeanor changed back to serious. “Be well, Jeff. I’ll never forget you.”

“Be well, Pauline.”

The two kissed one last time. When the kiss ended, tears streaked down Pauline’s face as she got into her car. Jeff forced back his own tears. Pauline backed her car down the driveway with Jeff following it as she did so. He watched her drive away with a hole in his heart. He stood looking after her for long after she was out of sight. He turned when he felt his mother’s hand on his arm.

“Jeff? Are you going to be okay?” she asked.

“Eventually, Mom,” he said, turning back to face the street. “I’m going to change and go for a run. Maybe channel these emotions into something useful today.” He made his way back to the house to get ready.

Jeff pushed himself hard during his run, trying to drive his sorrow away through force of effort. It didn’t work. His emotions broke through the wall he tried to build with hard running. He sat down on the edge of a lawn, hiding his face in his hands. Grief tore his heart out through his throat. He’d barely gotten himself under control when he heard a familiar voice.

“Jeff?”

Turning, Jeff recognized Charlene Flaherty, or ‘Charlie’ as she preferred. She was in his sister’s class and a fellow three-sport athlete.

“Excuse me, but are you okay?”

“Hi, Charlie. Not really, no, not okay.”

“Jeff, what’s wrong?”

“Just trying to deal with some stuff, Charlie. It kinda got the best of me,” he explained. “Pauline and I said goodbye to each other about two hours ago.” He looked around to see where he was, now that his head was clearer. “Oh, I hadn’t noticed that I stopped in front of your house.”

Ignoring his comment about her house, Charlie sat down next to him and asked, “She’s starting college soon I gather?”

Jeff nodded. “She moves into her dorm at UMass tomorrow. I knew this was going to be tough, but I wasn’t ready for how much it hurts right now.”

“‘Time heals all wounds,’ Jeff, and you just said you’ve only had about two hours to let the healing begin. It’ll get better, even if it doesn’t feel that way right now.”

“I know you’re right, Charlie, but my heart doesn’t agree.” Jeff stood up, wobbling. “Whoa. I guess I pushed a little too hard. If I give you my phone number, would you mind calling my house? Tell my family that I’m walking home from here so they don’t get worried?”

“Of course,” she said, hugging him while giving him a sympathetic smile. “Keep your head up, Jeff. You’re one of the good guys, and I think more than a few girls will be letting you know what they think of you this year.”

“Thanks, Charlie,” he said, giving her another weak smile in return. “I’ll see you tomorrow, for the start of this year’s double-session fun.” He gave her a little wave and started towards home.

Charlie watched him walk off, hoping that she gave him some measure of comfort because he was a good guy.

Chris Micklicz collapsed onto the grass at the end of the run. The midfielders had just run ‘Indian Runs.’ While players jog around the outside boundaries of the soccer field, the last runner sprints for the front of the line, weaving between the others as they run. One run is brutal, but they ran three. Chris didn’t mind working hard before the season, but Jeff was going to work them to death.