Then There Was You(43)

Chris, wide-eyed with shock, he rasped, “Are you serious?” With a shake of his head, he stammered, “I… don’t know what to say… Thank you.” He reached out, taking the neck of the guitar in his hand.

“I want you to go out there and make your mark. Show this world your amazing talent. You have a gift, Chris. Make me proud.”

We stood there, staring at each other for a few quiet moments. Countless guys had come in and out of the door of Fairbanks Juvenile Detention Center. I could count on one hand how many kids I’d seen again since they’d left, but I could only count on one finger how many had made an impact on my life the way Chris had.

Chris’s voice broke the silence. “I’ll miss you so much,” he whispered, his voice cracking, proof that as excited as he was to leave this place, he was having a hard time saying goodbye, too.

“I’ll miss you too,” I said, blinking back my tears. Not now. Please, not now.

Pulling a brown envelope out of his back pocket, he said sheepishly, “I have something I want to give to you, too. But you have to promise not to open it until I’m long gone.” He carefully placed the envelope on the corner of my desk.

I glanced at it, wondering what could be in it. My fingers itched to open it, but I said, “Okay, I promise.”

A knock at the door jolted me from my thoughts. Officer Blevins stood in the doorway. “Ready to go, Chris?” he asked. “Your mother is waiting out front.”

Chris looked at me, hopeful. “Walk me out?”

“Absolutely.” My voice still wavered with repressed tears.

Following Chris out, I tried not to think of the inevitable. This may be the last time I would ever see him again. I willed my feet to move… to shuffle one foot in front of the other. I demanded the tears that were pooling in my eyes to stay put until the right time to fall. I can do this. I can, and I will.

Chris’s mother sat with her purse on her lap in the waiting area. She hopped up the moment we walked through the door. Her mousy brown bob bounced when she rose from her seat. The wrinkles around her eyes and smile proved she’d seen some hard years in her young life. She looked to be about forty or so.

Handing the guitar to me, Chris shouted, “Mom!” as he quickly ran into her awaiting arms.

“Chris, I’m so happy to see you! I’m so glad I can finally take you home.” She squeezed her son, swaying him back and forth.

Barry and I made our way over to their reunion   of hugs and tears.

Blinking back his tears of joy, Chris said, “Mom, I’d like you to meet Officer Blevins and Mrs. Honeycutt.” He flashed me a private smile.

Chris’s mother extended her hand to each of us. “It’s nice to you meet you both. Thank you for taking care of my boy.”

“It was our pleasure,” I told her sincerely as I shook her hand. “Your son sure is something special.”

Chris looked at me and grinned. “I wouldn’t have made it without Mrs. Honeycutt, Mom. She helped me get through some pretty rough days.”

I smiled warmly. Keeping the conversation light, I said, “Thanks, Chris. It’s what I do.” I winked and pointed at the badge on my shirt with title ‘counselor’ under my name.

Chris laughed—a deep, hearty laugh I knew I’d miss echoing down the halls of Fairbanks.

But, I couldn’t allow myself to think of that. The lump in my throat immediately returned.

“Good luck, Chris,” Officer Blevins gave Chris a firm handshake. “Now go out there and make us proud.”

“Yes, sir,” Chris said, giving him a quick salute.

“Well, honey, are you ready to go home?” his mother interjected, pulling the strap of her purse across her shoulder.

Chris nodded at her, taking a deep breath. “More than ever.”

He glanced back at me sorrowfully. We shared one last pensive stare, knowing the moment we’d both been dreading was upon us. “Thanks again, Mrs. Honeycutt… for everything.”

My lower lip quivered as I held the guitar out to him. “You’re so very welcome. Take care of yourself, Chris.”

His jaw twitched with hindered emotion. Looking down at the guitar as I handed it back to him, he said softly, “I hope I earn this.”

We all stood in silence for another moment. Then his mother curled her arm around his waist and led him out the door. Just like that, he was gone. Like the dew that vanishes in the mid-morning heat, he was disappearing from our lives.

I walked to the door, watching them walk down the stairs. As soon as they reached the bottom, I stepped outside, watching them turn and walk down the sidewalk. I took a deep, staggering breath. He’s leaving. This is it.