Life changing news
the day that everything changed actually started very well for the four friends who live on the small island of the Outer Banks. the place where rich and poor meet, where you either had two jobs or two houses. John B, Kiara, JJ and Pope - four friends who have known each other for many years, live on the Outer Banks - on the poor side of the island.
They went to school, but right now it was vacation time, so they took John B's boat out to sea.
"So? What are your plans now that your father is nowhere to be found?" asked Pope John B, who was steering the boat.
"I'm going to enjoy my life!" John B replied with a grin on his face.
"Of course, but I think the youth welfare office has visited you several times. They certainly won't leave you alone here on the island." Pope said thoughtfully. None of the three wanted John B to have to leave the island just because he was going to be in foster care on the mainland.
"Don't worry, Pope." John B said in a serious voice. "I will certainly not leave the island and my best friends just because the youth welfare office thinks it's better for me that way." But Pope was not satisfied with this answer. He had been thinking for a long time and didn't know how he could help his friend. John b's father disappeared moments ago and no one on the island had ever heard from him again. Some claim he is still alive - others claim the opposite.
"Can you guys stop talking about this? It spoils the mood!" Kiara said, listening to the two of them talk while sitting on the other side of the boat with JJ
"Ki's right. It's annoying!" exclaimed JJ, who had his eyes closed.
"Why are you actually so quiet?" asked John B, because JJ was usually the one who was the loudest, but for a few days JJ had become very quiet and hardly said anything.
"I don't always have to be the one to entertain, do I?" returned JJ.
"You're right.", said John B, who was still worried about his friendAfter they were back on land, they tied up the boat and entered the small hut of John B's father where John B lived alone at the moment - or usually with JJ when he had trouble with his father again. While Kiara and JJ were on their way to go shopping, Pope wanted to discuss an important topic with John B.
"Is everything okay with JJ?" Pope asked when the two had settled into the hammocks they had set up between some trees.
"How do you mean?"
"Well, I'm not sure. JJ's acting kind of weird!" Pope said, not knowing how best to bring up the subject. He'd spent the last few days watching JJ and he'd noticed that not only had JJ become very calm, she wasn't very happy anymore.
"You know, I have a weird feeling. He's not feeling well or something is bothering him - he just doesn't want to talk to me about it.", Pope said and John B nodded.
"I don't know if I can talk to you about it if he doesn't want to tell you himself." John B said calmly.
"You mean there's really something wrong with him?" Now Pope looked at his friend with wide eyes. Was he right after all? Was JJ unwell or was something bothering him?
"Well, you can put it that way.", John B began. "But I think JJ should tell you himself. That's the best way, I think." He added and Pope nodded, even though he was even more worried about JJ than before. JJ didn't have it easy with his father after his mother died while leaving his father. JJ often had trouble with his father and spent most of his time in John B's house. School wasn't going too well for him either, and he seemed to get bogged down in all his problems. But now there seemed to be something in his life that took his last strength and Pope wanted to know what was going on - that was the only way he could help him.
When Kiara said goodbye and went back home, John B, Pope and JJ were alone at John B's house.
"I'm going out for a minute to get something," John B said, looking at Pope briefly and nodding at him. Pope knew exactly what John B meant and turned his attention to JJ.
"Are you all right?" he asked JJ who turned his head towards him.
"Of course I'm all right. Why do you ask?" lied JJ wondering about Pope's question.
"Don't lie to me!" said Pope, grabbing JJ's hand.
"I know for a fact that there is something wrong with you but I don't understand why you don't want to talk about it." JJ closed his eyes and sighed.
"Because it will only make you and the others sad if I tell you what's going on.2, JJ gave out.
"You know you can talk to any of us about it. We're not like your dad and judging you, but you'd be helping us if you'd just say something," Pope urged and JJ finally nodded.
"All right." he began, taking another breath and then looking deeply into Pope's eyes.
"I'm terminally ill and there's nothing I can do about it." Pope hadn't expected a statement like that. It hit him like a blow.
2You are terminally ill?" asked Pope although he had understood JJ perfectly.
"Yes, the doctors diagnosed me a few weeks ago and there's nothing they can do about it. I don't even know if I'll survive," JJ said without looking at Pope.
"But I don't want you guys to worry about that. I want you to remember me as I was - a bright and funny guy, you know? Not a sick guy." Pope nodded slowly.
"And there's really no help there?" JJ shook his head.
"I'm afraid not, I've also forgotten what disease I have again. The name is so complicated but according to the doctors my lungs will eventually stop working.
To be continued!