Jasmine's Place Issue No. 3 - January/February 2013 | Page 12

INSPIRATIONAL Julie Arduini Kellie's voice was as flat as her soaked hair. Her fiancé, Eric Bryce, popped open his little sister's Winnie the Pooh umbrella and held it over Kellie. "We won't melt. Wanna talk about it?“ Kellie Jamison knew bottom line her actions in the eyes of the law meant littering. Standing over the railing, she watched the last fragment of the Jamison family picture swirl off the Mill Creek Park suspension bridge into the rushing waters. Running her fingers through her curly auburn hair , she realized her locks were soaked. "Want some company?" Kellie gave a pivot and gasped. Eric gestured to the wooden bench two feet away. Kellie observed the crusty pigeon droppings and shook her head. They both looked past the railing in silence. Eric gently reached for her hand. She grasped his fingers, her hold tight. She collapsed into his shoulder, his Pooh umbrella bobbing in rhythm to her sobs. "Dad's gone. I gothomeandhis stuff wasgone." He let her cry, knowing deep down this wasn't a surprise to her. The Jamison marriage had been rocky at best as long as he knew Kellie. Images of the two arguing during the third grade book fair came to his mind. "Aw sweetheart, I'm so sorry. Is there anything I can do?“ "It's raining.“ JASMINE'S PLACE 12 12