He also could not understand how he could fall in love with someone so seriously that, when she was suddenly taken away, he would be affected adversely. So much so, that he would soon afterwards find himself in a mental institution. At least; that was the way in which he interpreted Carminda's second prediction.
All she said was that he would meet this wonderful girl and then eventually end up losing the greatest love of his life yet. She said that this would be the cause of him being institutionalized and going onto medication.
Jared just felt that it did not sound like the kind of thing which could happen to him. He had never been a great romantic at heart, so why the sudden change in attitude? Jared questioned himself.
He did need to do something now though, he realized. Either find a reasonable job somewhere, or end up on the farm with Uncle Peter.
The second option was sure to drive him crazy, he knew, but right now the first one sounded more absurd than realistic.
If he were to come up with any excuse for not going to the farm, it would have to be a really good one this time and Jared knew that the odds were greatly set against him. Nothing he could say would be convincing―even to himself.
Jared then decided that he would visit a nightclub that night. He would then spend the rest of the weekend camping out at Blake and Laura's place.
Right now he could not consider any alternative way of postponing a talk with his folks. His friends would not mind having him over. He knew this. Especially in the wake of him and Blake having shared an encounter with a female psychic.
Jared had the eerie feeling that this experience could have the effect of either, binding himself and Blake closer together, or of alienating them to the same extent. He had to tell Blake about his anxieties soon, though.
At the same time he would also be delaying his trip to the farm―which now sounded inevitable―at least for the weekend. His stay in Cape Town has been so rewarding, he thought in retrospect.
Having to go to any farm right now would be such an anti-climax. It would simply be unbearable.
Jared hurriedly packed another suitcase, with a fresh set of clothes. It was almost six o' clock in the evening and his parents were not home. Fortunately for him―he realized―he had remembered to take his own set of keys with him to Cape Town. He somehow just suddenly felt really relieved at this realization, though he did not understand why.
If little things like this could make him happy, then it was an indication that things were not going so well with him psychologically. This Jared knew instinctively.
So then; he had to pull himself together. If his parents were not to find him in when they returned, he would have to forget about resting from his trip. He would also have to forget about greeting his folks, before hitting the road again. Anything but risk being sent to the farm right away; on a Friday evening.
When Jared had done packing it was time to leave a brief note; informing his parents about his whereabouts.
He would have to say that Blake needed some help from him. It was not necessary to specify in what way, exactly. That could only be done after some careful forethought. There was no time for that.
Jared quickly dialed Blake's number at the flat to make sure that they were in. He explained his plans to Blake when he answered the phone and Blake responded, "Sorry, I'm on my way out, but I think the person you should really be talking to is Laura. Ciao pal, I'll be seeing you later. Got to go!"
Hereafter Jared heard Blake place the receiver aside and call for Laura, who soon answered the phone.
"Sure come over, Jerry," she said. "I'll probably be alone anyway otherwise. Blake is onto something so mysterious, that I would rather not ask too many questions now. He's already gone out as he just said."
Jared was bewildered, but he quickly realized that this could be a good opening for him.
"Oh, you say he's being mysterious?" Jared replied.
"Then maybe the sooner I get there, the better it will be for both of us, so that we can find out what is really going on with him. That way we could soon set both of our minds at ease," he suggested brightly.
"Sure," Laura replied in a similar tone. "Come on over and make my day." Jared was relieved at the friendly tone of Laura's voice. Now he felt certain that he could leave with peace of mind.
Jared went through the kitchen and quickly stopped to pour himself a glass of orange juice. He was really thirsty.
When he returned from the fridge with his glass in his hand, he noticed a note on the kitchen table. It was folded and it had his name written across it, in his mother's handwriting.
Jared picked up the note, then nervously folded it into a smaller square, before unfolding it with a sense of foreboding in the middle of his stomach. This resulted in him sensing a tight knot there, while he carefully unfolded the piece of paper.
The anxiety made his hands tremble. The note read: Jared, please pack some things for the farm, because your uncle needs you over there, urgently. You have to try and leave before the weekend is over. Love, Mom.
He stared at the note in surprise. They were really serious about sending him away, he realized.
Jared knew that this would surely place a damper on the rest of his weekend spirit. He did realize that there was going to be no smart way of getting himself out of this one.