17: The hard road

Jaclyn’s bags are packed and sitting on the bed as she readied herself for her departure. She takes a glance at the room once more to see if there was something she had forgotten to take and, not seeing anything; she moves to exit the room. The living room looks untouched, and she glances around once more, just like the bedroom she left nothing behind. The house that was once home to her now appeared strange and all the wonderful memories she had in it were now gone.

She opens the door that leads out of the house and she sees Ken there, waiting as if they had discussed meeting up.

She sighs and kept a calm tone. “Ken, hey.” 

“Hello, Jac,” he stuffs his hands into his pocket and glances down to see her bag. “I see you’re leaving,” he says, stepping into the house without being invited. He kept a reasonable distance between them, though, and she appreciated it. 

Since Diana died, a hedge had built be