His Name Is Kirby Jones

Zack paced up and down his bedroom, phone in his hand on that Sunday night. He needed to talk to his best friend, urgently.

Unable to even think properly, he dialled the all familiar number and almost sighed with relief as Zoey picked up.

“What’s cracking-a-lacking?” she cheered happily. Zack smiled to himself.

“You sound cheerful…” he mused, and he heard her giggle.

“I would be when I just had my boyfriend over for dinner and it was a complete success, my Dad really likes him…” Zoey said excitedly. Zack knew how nervous she had been.

“Aw that’s awesome Zoe, congrats.” He said however it didn’t come out as excited as he hoped.

“I was just going to text you….weird how you just called me.” Zoey said giggling, and Zack nodded despite the fact she couldn’t see him.

“I’m cool like that.” He said, sounding a bit flat.

“What’s up Zackary?” she teased, and Zack bit back a remark, and sighed.

“It’s about El.” He said seriously, and he could have sworn Zoey mumbled something.

“What about our little red girl?” she asked brightly. Zack took a giant deep breath and finally let out what had been playing on his mind all night.

“I think I’m in love with her.” He admitted shyly, and what surprised him was Zoey burst in hysterical laughter. Zack immediately frowned.

“I don’t understand what’s funny about me being in love…it does happen.” He said, slightly annoyed as Zoey’s laughter burst out continuously.

“I’m sorry.” She gasped in mid-laugh. After a few more seconds, Zoey calmed down and
cleared her throat.

“I’m sorry Zack…it’s just, you and El have been at this stupid game for so long and now you’ve finally admitted it. You’ve been in love with her for so long Zack; you’re just too blinded to see it. You and Elena are perfect for one another, and I just wish you could make a move already!” Zoey said ecstatically. Zack smiled slightly, pleased with that answer.

“You really think we’d be good together?” he asked, amused. Zoey laughed slightly.

“Of course!” Zoey said enthusiastically.

“Should I take Elena out on a date, do you think…she’d say yes?” Zack asked unsure, rubbing the back of his neck nervously, a habit he’d always done.

“Yeah, she’d like that…don’t go to a movie though, go to a place so you can talk things out…
I think you should take her ice-skating…” Zoey said, thinking of what Elena had said a few months ago about how she always wanted to go ice-skating.

“Ice-skating?” he repeated, slightly confused.

“Yeah definitely, just offer that the two of you should go ice-skating this weekend…” Zoey said, thrilled that finally her two best friends were going on a date.

“What if she says no?” Zack asked instantly, he always thought negatively. Zoey sighed as if she was frustrated.

“She won’t Zack, trust me” She said gently, and Zack nodded feebly. He didn’t want to be rejected, especially by Elena, who had been his best friend too for so long. It could ruin their friendship entirely.

“Alright, I’ll ask her tomorrow…” Zack said, feeling a bit happier. He could trust Zoey, he would with his life. Zoey squealed excitedly.

“Oh! This is great!” she cheered and Zack couldn’t help feeling pleased.

“So tell me about this dinner?” he asked, not wanting to discuss it more, afraid he’d get embarrassed. The two continued to talk for an hour or so, and finally they bid their goodnights, both teens going to bed happy.

The following day, true to her word, Elena accepted the date.
--
It was a couple of days forward, a Wednesday to be exact. It was the specific day of tragedy.
June 13th.

Zoey always hated the number ‘13’ due to be so unlucky, it was just ironic that it was this day also.

Today was the anniversary of Carmen Titian’s death; their mother’s tragic, uncalled for
death. Only a few people outside the family knew what this day meant and that was Elena, Zack and a few people that were friends with Zoey that bothered to remember what this date meant.

However, Kirby Jones didn’t know, so he found it a surprise that his girlfriend of three weeks, who his feelings for were growing immensely each day, was no at school. He unfortunately couldn’t question till lunch due to a busy day. He immediately searched the room for his girl, but couldn’t see that familiar head of brunette curls, or those eyes he adored.

Sliding into his usual seat he glanced around, hoping Zack and Elena would hurry up. It didn’t take long for him to see Elena’s bright red hair, which was tied up for a change.

“Hey Kirby” Elena murmured as she sat herself down with her tray of food. Kirby gave a weak smile.

“Hey El….um, where’s Zoey…she didn’t text me this morning to say she wasn’t coming in?” he asked confused. Before Elena answered, Zack sat himself and smiled shyly at Elena, who smiled back. They were both super excited about their date on Saturday. But right now, they both felt a bit glum also, mainly due to the fact Zoey wasn’t here.

“Guys, where’s Zoey?” Kirby asked feeling concerned. The two friends shared a look, and nodded.

“Um, she didn’t tell you?” Zack guessed, in which Kirby grew more irritated.

“Didn’t tell me what? Where is she?” he asked worriedly. Elena sighed and touched Zack’s elbow to inform that she’d take the lead here.

“It’s the 13th of June, the day Zoey’s Mom died…she’s at the grave today with her family.” Elena explained gently, and instantly Kirby’s face dropped.

“Oh shit…” he mumbled, burying his head in his hand. That’s why she acted weird the other day last week she was panicking about when it was the anniversary of her mother’s death and come to think of it, Kirby realised she had been acting odd last night, more quiet than usual.

“Yeah so if she was being odd last night…that’s why.” Elena explained further, and Kirby nodded, finally understanding.

“What do I do?” he asked worriedly, and Zack shrugged, whereas Elena spoke again.

“There’s nothing you can do, just know that tonight….she’s going to need you.” Elena said wisely, and Kirby kept quiet, his mind full of worried thoughts.
--
“You want to put the flowers down Kenny?” Marcus asked his youngest son, his eyes were filled with tears and his hands were shaking as he held the flowers they just bought. The whole Titian family had gathered to the grave of their loss.

Marcus had booked the day off work, and had allowed his younger children the day off school. The elders also rang their college and informed them they wouldn’t be in. It was difficult, being there altogether. Drew, Tommy and Jonah still hadn’t talked to Zoey, and now as they stood all together, crowded around their mother’s grave, staring at it longingly, wishing she was with them. The three boys began to feel huge amounts of guilt.
Kennedy kneeled down and placed the flowers of the granite coloured grave with the precious words they carved in:

Carmen Alicia Titian
Died age 43
22nd February 1962 – 13th June 2005
~
Loving Mother, Wife and Friend
Forever in our hearts and memories
We love you always

Zoey blinked away the stray tears and gave a watery smile at her father, who gave a comforting smile back. He looked at the words again and smiled to himself, as if he was thinking of a memory. Marcus could remember the last day he saw his wife so clearly…

“Marcus, I need to go get the groceries…” Carmen told him as she picked up her purse. Marcus was nursing a cup of coffee in his hands which Carmen had made moments earlier for him. He was also reading the newspaper and made grumbles as he saw the terrible news of the world.

“Mm-hmm, okay honey….drive safe.” Marcus said, not really listening. Carmen smiled and shook her head, amused at her husband’s behaviour.

“Do I get a kiss goodbye or shall I just leave?” she teased, giggling softly. Marcus instantly
looked up and smiled brightly.

“Of course you can, come here…” he said, abandoning the paper and coffee, and moved his legs out from under the table. Carmen put her bag back down and sauntered over to her husband, she kissed his lips gently but Marcus wrapped his arms around her, pulling her onto his lap.

Carmen slid her arms around his neck and kissed him again. Marcus responded eagerly and his hands slid to the small part of her back and he stroked it gently.

“Be careful honey…” he mused, pecking her lips again. Carmen grinned and nodding silently promising to do so.

“I will, I will…” she assured him and slowly got off his lap, and Marcus cheekily, slapped her rear gently. Carmen gasped in surprise and gave a dirty look.

“You’re in for it when I come home…” she said, picking up her bag again, hoisting it on her shoulder. Marcus rolled his eyes but didn’t stop grinning.

“Love you, Car!” he called after her as she left.

“Love you!” she called back to the household, and then she shut the door, and went down the drive….only to never return.

Marcus wished he had gone with her that day, he wish he hadn’t been so busy with work that he stayed behind. He wished that Carmen just came home when it was shut, they would have figured out something, ordered takeout…anything. He just desperately wished that his wife, the love of his whole life would come back to him. He yearned to see her smile again and to hear her laugh.

“Dad?” Drew said, catching his attention. Marcus looked away from the grave that he so intently stared out, wondering what if.

Zoey scooted closer to her father, looping her arm through his, and leaning against him gently.

“I really miss her.” Zoey admitted softly, and Marcus nodded silently, looking down and see his daughter’s beautiful brunette hair. She looked exactly like her, the hair, the smile, the eyes. She was exactly the same as Carmen and he thanked God every day for that.

Kennedy wiped his nose with the back of his hand and let out a strangled sob. “I can’t remember her anymore!” he cried, distraught that while all the others thought of their mother, he was barely struggled to get her face in his mind. Drew instantly kneeled down and hugged Kennedy who clutched to him for dear life.

Lucas watched sadly at his baby brother and tried to understand how difficult it must be to be here and not even remember their mother. Jonah glanced at Zoey worriedly, and bit his lip again as a wave of guilt splashed him once more.

“Anyone want to say anything?” Marcus asked his children, who stayed silent still. Marcus took a deep breath and decided to speak for them.

“Hi Carmen, it’s me…” he murmured, smiling as if he heard her reply.

“Well it’s been another year, and we’re all here…just like we promised. A bit has changed…Kennedy’s doing really well in school, Lucas and Drew are almost finished with college and Tommy’s doing great…Jonah and Zoey are still in high school, Jonah graduates this summer, and Zoey graduates next…she has a boyfriend now too. He’s a really nice guy…you would have liked him. What else…” Marcus said, trying to think of something to say.

“Oh yeah, I got that promotion….it’s really long hours but it’s worth it for the kids. I really miss you, we all really miss you. We hope you’re okay up there and you’re watching us and smiling down on us, keeping us safe.” Marcus continued, glancing at Kennedy’s shaking figure as Drew had his arm draped around him, murmuring comforting words to him.

“We love you Carmen.” He murmured, joining his hand with Zoey’s, squeezing it for comfort. He decided it was time to leave, he couldn’t face it anymore. Slowly, Marcus turned around and began walking away, Zoey’s hand joined with his. Lucas and Tommy followed, hands in their pockets, and lastly, Kennedy and Drew. Kennedy mouthed a few words to the stone and looked up at Drew sadly.

Drew kept his arm firmly on his shoulders as they walked away from their mother’s grave, each one of them, saying silent goodbyes in their heads. Just like last year.
--
When Zoey arrived home, she kissed her father’s cheek and went upstairs to change from the dress she had put on. She sighed as she took out her earrings and began to wipe her makeup off. Zoey threw on some baggy pyjamas and went to her wardrobe; she got out the box that she opened up every year on this day.

Inside were pictures of her mother, so Zoey climbed into bed, placing the box beside her and began to look through them, smiling at some and wiping her eyes at others. Each photograph held a memory. When she picked up another one, of when Kennedy was first born, there was a picture of Carmen just given birth, holding this beautiful bundle. Her head was sweaty and hair stuck it and she was bright red and looked flustered but despite this, she looked beautiful.

Just then, Zoey’s door slowly opened, revealing a red-faced, swollen eyed Kennedy, he too was dressed down. His shirt un-tucked, and his tie taken off, his hair messed up again. He padded over, and looked at Zoey without needing to say much, she quickly opened up her duvet again, offering him a spot. Kennedy clambered in too, cuddling up towards her and enjoyed her warmth and embrace. He looked at the picture she was holding.

“Who’s this?” his voice croaked.

“That’s you when you were first born…” Zoey murmured softly, glancing down at him. He was smiling gently. Kennedy reached out and touched the glossy photograph, stroking his mother’s face.

“She’s so pretty.” He murmured, and Zoey nodded in agreement. The two stayed silent and Kennedy took the photo out of his sister’s grasp and placed it on his chest.

“Can I keep it?” he asked kindly, Zoey without hesitation nodded. “Of course you can, keep it safe for me…” she told him. Kennedy nodded eagerly.

“Thanks” he whispered, and watched as Zoey continued to look through them. The two siblings stayed like that for what could have been hours, looking through the photos, talking about their mother. When it hit the mid-afternoon, they both fell asleep. However an hour on and Drew came in and collected Kennedy, reminding him that he needed to finish his homework.

Kennedy gently crawled out of his sister’s grasp regretfully. Zoey slowly rolled over, mumbling words and fell back asleep. Drew watched her gently, smiling to himself. He knew what he had said the other night was beyond wrong and his guilt was eating him away. He mentally vowed that he and the others would talk later…

The afternoon passed until it soon reached five o’clock. Zoey heard someone come in again, she wanted to go back to sleep, to forget this day completely. Believing to it to be Kennedy or her father, Zoey kept still.

“Hey.” A masculine voice murmured gently, and Zoey’s eyes snapped out. Turning over slowly, her eyes bugged a bit. He gave her a small smile that made her instantly feel better.

Kirby Jones was her saviour.

“What are you doing here?” she croaked in disbelief.

“My girlfriend needed me.” Kirby replied, and Zoey smiled slightly, nodding in agreement. Kirby kicked off his shoes and lay on top of the duvet and as Zoey sat up, cuddling close to him, he hugged her.

“I’m sorry.” He told her, and Zoey began to cry, cry for herself, cry for her mother and cry because she had no way of bringing her back. Kirby kept firm hold of her, whispering sweet nothings, and kissing her head now and again as his hand stroked her arm.

She needed this, but mostly importantly she needed him.
I