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The Cooler

Marnie woke up, and struggled to get out of bed. Day after day everything that had been happening was wearing her down more and more.

And now.. it was Sunday, and she knew bills were coming tomorrow. There was no money for them. So, she knew to expect the power to go out by Tuesday, and no water by Wednesday. So, unless money falls from the sky.. Marnie had no idea what was going to happen.

Cleaning out the fridge reminded her of another crisis. They were out of food. There was enough money in the account to do one more grocery run. However, she knew the fridge wasn't going to be working in the next week. Power and all that. So she was struggling to come up with a different option.

Finally, inspiration hit. After a quick grocery trip, she came back with a cooler. She'd gotten some more cereal, some yogurt, lots of granola (that stuff was supposed to be good for you.. right?).. and plenty of ice to fill the cooler. She was counting on money coming from child support to save her and the kids. Because, to be honest, there was nothing else she could hope for.

Outside, a lone figure trudged down the street. By the time he got close to the house, however, he was no longer alone.

Jaz ran out to meet Colin as he turned towards the front door. That was when they knew he was actually coming to visit Jaz, and not just trudging down their street randomly.

"Colin! It's so good to see you! Are you okay?" Jaz started, happy, but hesitant. Their last meeting had gone so completely wrong, after all.

"No." Colin replied flatly. "I'm not okay. I tried to ditch my only real friend. I'm so sorry, Jaz."

"Colin - it's ok. I know how it feels. After Bennie exposed my "secret" to everyone, I felt so vulnerable and hurt. I can imagine how it would feel to doubt one of the only people who actually knew the secret... because it's what I felt about Bennie." Jaz replied, but Colin interrupted.

"That doesn't make it right, Jaz. I .... I shouldn't have doubted you. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that you would never betray me like that. Especially after Bennie did that to you." Colin's expression was breaking Jaz's heart.

"Colin! Stop. Sorry is all you need to say. You panicked. It happens. Cheer up. Just know I'm always here for you, and I will NEVER betray you or tell your secret. It's your choice. One I SHOULD have had, but didn't. It turned out mostly okay, but - still - I lost some friends I regret losing. Like my brother. I can't stand to be in the same room with him anymore." Jaz confessed, then, realizing how close they were to the house, they looked around in terror, hoping nobody had heard the conversation.

"Okay, then. Sorry. I'll say it again. Then I'm done. Can we be friends again?" Colin asked sheepishly.

"You bet! Although, I have to say, I never stopped being your friend, despite what you said. I hoped you would come back around. Want to go play in the back yard?" Jaz grabbed Colin up in a big hug, then smiled widely, and pointed around the side of the house.

The two of them played on the swingset for a while..

.. thrilled to have their best friend back. Then, unfortunately, Phoenix and Myles came outside, and the moment was over. Jaz's face fell, and Colin motioned to the front of the house. They walked just far enough away so they wouldn't be heard.

"Are you SURE you're okay, Jaz? How have you been, really? I heard about Benji, but the rumors are also flying that your Dad is gone, too? How did that happen?" Colin asked, curiously.

So this was how Jaz came to tell Colin everything. Everything that had happened in the past week or so...

... up to and including today. Jaz mentioned the cooler that had appeared earlier, and how the power had been out. "I'm scared, Colin. I don't know what's going to happen. How are we going to survive without Dad?" Jaz whispered.

Then, from the house, Marnie called Jaz inside. Shrugging, Jaz said goodbye sadly and turned to follow their mother's call.

Colin watched them go, thinking about the things he hadn't gotten to say. How his Dad, too, had left. Only - he had not completely disappeared. He had gotten remarried, however. Colin swallowed, feeling jealous all over again at his Dad feeling the need to start a new family. And now.. Jaz was in serious trouble, it sounded like. Could he actually trust Marnie to take care of his friend, or... ?? He was honestly afraid Jaz was going to go hungry.. and without power or water in the next week. Colin chewed at his lower lip, wondering what, if anything, that he could do. Then, slowly, he turned and walked away, heading back to the bus. Someone, he knew.. needed to do SOMETHING. But who could he trust to actually do the right thing??

Inside, Phoenix and Myles chatted after Myles' scout meeting. There really wasn't much else to do in the house other than chat.. and everyone was afraid to include Marnie in their conversations. It was like walking on eggshells.

Jaz paused before the front door, noticing Phoenix on the couch. They made a face, and then tensely walked inside. Maybe he wouldn't say anything to them. Maybe Jaz could sneak downstairs before Phoenix noticed them....

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