The Boy in the Woods (2014 Wattys Winner, Wattpad Version)

Chapter 49 - I'm Sorry

Jess trudged down the drive carrying her basket, her other hand holding her scarf tight.  The wind had picked up that morning and not only was it bitterly cold, the powdery snow that had fallen during the snowstorm was now blowing off the trees, surrounding her with mini bursts of snowfall and driving icy flakes down the back of her neck. 

She was grateful she’d woken up to an empty house with Doug and Uncle Jonathon already at work.  After the bombshell of Doug admitting he was in love with her the previous night, she was dreading seeing him.  How awkward was it going to be being in the same room with him, knowing he was nursing a broken heart?  She was sure he was going to be bitter and angry with her, probably for a long time. 

She was still trying to make sense of how it could have happened.  Had she caused him to fall in love with her somehow?  Maybe she shouldn’t have been so affectionate with him or showed him how much she cared about him.  But in all the time she’d spent with him, she’d never suspected his feelings for her were any deeper than her feelings for him.  She just wanted to see Marty, she thought with a sigh.  He’d help her figure out what to do about this terrible mess. 

When she reached the spot to enter the woods, she surveyed the snow bank on the side of the road that was taller than she was.  With another sigh, she began to scramble up the incline but it was difficult.  She had to use her hands to keep from falling while trying to keep the contents of her basket from being dumped out. 

Once she made it over, she sank knee deep into the snow.  Taking her first step, she wasn’t able to raise her foot high enough and fell forward into the powder.  Struggling to get back into a standing position without being able to use her hands to help push her up, she could feel tears of frustration forming.  It was obvious this was going to be even more difficult than she’d expected.  But she had to persevere, she decided firmly, and wiped away the tears.  She had to make it to the cabin so she could see Marty. 

Looking at her watch, she noted the time so she’d know how long it took her.  The last thing she needed was to arrive home after Doug and Uncle Jonathon.  With a steely determination, she began forcing her way through the snow. 

When she finally reached the cabin nearly an hour later, she was out of breath and sweating.  Kicking away the snow by the door, she let herself in.  After she closed it, she looked at the darkened fireplace, listening to the silence.  The last time she’d been there, she and Marty had kissed.  It had been a magical few hours, and hoped she’d get to experience it again today.  Even though she was alone in the cold, quiet cabin, she felt better. 

After building both fires, she wrapped herself in a blanket and sat on one of the chairs to wait, thinking about what she should tell Marty.  She knew when she shared the details of what had happened when Uncle Jonathon caught her coming home, he’d be angry and concerned for her.  But when she told him about Doug, he was going to be even more upset.

She’d admitted to Doug that she loved Marty and that he loved her, and even though she’d never realized it until that moment when she’d blurted it out, she knew in her heart it was true.  Remembering how jealous she’d felt when she thought Marty was dating Sharon, she wondered how he’d react to hearing that Doug was in love with her.  Would he be angry enough to want to confront Doug? 

It wasn’t going to be pleasant for him to hear, but she didn’t think she could keep it from him.  Her home life had turned into a disaster and she needed him to know about all of it so he could help her.  She’d just have to make sure he understood how dangerous it would be for both of them if he tried to step in and take care of things himself.

When it got closer to the time Marty would arrive, she went to the kitchen to set out their food, then went to the window that overlooked the clearing.  She watched for him, feeling more impatient with each passing minute.  But he was bound to be late.  He was going to have just as difficult a time fighting through the snow to get to the cabin as she had, she reminded herself.