Page 10 of You & Me: Part Two

My phone buzzes and I glance down. It’s a number I don’t recognize. I don’t answer it and let it go to voicemail.

“You can get that if you need to.”

“It’s an unknown number, so it’s okay. Probably just a misdial.”

“So, what’s it like to have Mickey Jacobs as your big brother?”

With that, a light conversation starts and just like the old days we talk and talk and talk. I feel like I’m with the old Jonathan, minus a little bit of that light he had about him. I understand why that is now. I would love to have the magic wand that could change it all and add that light back to his beautiful, yet somber eyes of his. His light may be gone, but he’s still just as attractive as ever. He still has that natural tan about him, and his short dark hair is a little longer now that he isn’t sporting a military length. He’s still in great shape, if not a little bigger. More built. He is a fine specimen, no doubt.

After some time, Frances starts to pant and Jonathan picks up her water bowl and excuses himself to go get her some more water.

While he’s inside, I decide to check the voicemail of the unknown number and wish I hadn’t. A voice I haven’t heard in years fills my ears. Just as the message is ending, Jonathan is back and sitting across from me. He must be able to tell that the call has disturbed me because as soon as I put the phone down on the table he takes my hand in his.

“Em, you okay?”

The gentle touch of his hand is enough to calm me.

“It was my dad.” I can hear the shake in my voice as I continue, “I haven’t talked to him in years. He found out I moved back home and he wants to get together.”

“What do you want?”

“I don’t know, Jonathan. I just haven’t been able to forgive him yet. Not only did he make my entire childhood a lie, but he just quit being our dad once he had a new family. I know I am twenty-six now and not that pre-teen kid he left but it’s a little late for me,” I say with a shrug.

With those soul-piercing hazel eyes of his, he makes sure he has my attention when he says, “Emily, you wait until you’re ready. I do think that one day you’ll probably need to see him and tell him how you feel and maybe let him explain, but do it when you’re ready and do it for yourself. One thing I’ve learned is that life is short, Em. You never know from one day to the next what might happen.”

“Jonathan, I heard about Matt…I am so sorry for your loss.” I blurt out as I grip on to his hand even tighter to let him know that if he wants to talk, I’m here.

“Thanks, Em. Let’s save that for another time though. Right now you and I are getting to know each other again and we’re talking about you and your dad.”

“You know what, can we not talk about my dad? I am sure you already know all about him. In fact, I’m sure you’ve met him if you hang around Kells.”

“Shit, that’s right. Mick being your brother means that Michael Jacobs Sr. is your dad. Could this world get any smaller? Em, I do know your dad. It’s not from Kells though. My first year on the road I pulled him over for a DUII. At the time, I had no idea who he was and then later I found out he was Mick’s dad. After that, Mick has made sure he doesn’t get to keep a rolling tab at Kells anymore. He hasn’t been seen around much since then. I was pretty new at the time and hadn’t really started hanging out with the guys so I never saw your dad out and about. Only the time I arrested him. Sorry, Em. Not exactly the kind of catching up I had hoped to do with you today.”

“That’s okay, really it is. I’m so detached from him that it doesn’t really faze me or surprise me, if I’m honest. I’m just grateful you were able to get him off the road before he hurt somebody or himself. So, thank you, Jonathan. Sincerely.”

“Still, I’m sorry about things with your dad, Em.”

I must change the subject! This is getting too depressing

“So, do you like being a police officer?”

“I do. It’s not always the most fun, but I love to help people and I feel like I can actually make a difference in people’s lives.”

“I know I grew up around it, and my brother does it too but I just don’t know how you guys do it. You go to work every day knowing that people hate you even though you’re the first person they call when they need help. It just infuriates me.”

“Well, at least I don’t work at the DMV or for the cable company. Talk about people who go to work every day knowing they’re hated,” he says with a wink.

“Seriously, Jonathan…do you ever get scared?”

“I think I recall you asking me this question once before and just like then I’ll tell you the truth…not really. We’re trained to do our jobs and do them well. I trust the officers I work with to have my back and to make sure that we all go home to our loved ones at night. For me, that may not be a wife and kids but I know Frances is home waiting on me. I can’t let her down now, can I?”

I know he’s trying to keep things light-hearted but it isn’t funny to me. He can tell so he tries a different approach.

“Em, my safety and the safety of the citizens and my fellow police officers is all that is on my mind out there. I know your brother is the same way. You don’t have to worry about us, but it’s very sweet that you do.”

“Oh my gosh! I didn’t even think about your sleep when I picked 9:30 to meet. Did you work night shift last night and you lost sleep to have coffee with me?”

“I did work last night but it was my Friday so I’ll catch up later. Don’t worry. Sacrificing a few hours of sleep to spend time with you and Frances is worth it.”

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