Page 124 of Blue-Eyed Jacks
I shook my head.Only he and I knew his hair-brained plans.
John went on, “They asked me if I wanted to run.”
“You didn’t tell me that,” Crystal Ann said.
“Well, I didn’t know whether you’d get mad at me or not.”His eyes dipped to his lap and the chair encompassing him.“I know you’ve been trying to get me on my feet again.And taking that job is kind of like giving up.”
His jaw worked in silent shame.
Crystal reached for his hand.“I want you happy.”She squeezed.
Jackson frowned.“Do they need a new constable here?”
Oh, dear God.“Like you’d qualify?”I joked.
He shrugged.“Cops, criminals, they think alike.”
John’s knowing gaze shot between Jackson and I.“Speaking of criminals.The scuttle is, there’s a certain biker missing.You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”He pointed the question at Jackson.
“I’m here.Hiding in plain sight.”
John’s eyes crinkled at the corners.“I was talking about a different biker.”
Jackson shrugged.“Don’t have a clue, they kicked me out.”
“Dad?”The concern in her voice was clear.
“It’s okay, Zoe.I’m a big boy, I can handle a little rejection.”His mood sobered, and he was distracted for the rest of the conversation while Zoe, Crystal Ann, John, and I caught up.
Zoe’s appetite returned, which gave us an excuse to leave.
That evening I sat on the old picnic table in our backyard, watching the sky darken with Jackson.“You’re quiet.”
“I gotta make a call.”
One that would tear us apart, I was certain of it.“The last time we were in this situation, you stayed a few days.”I reached for his hand and squeezed it so he’d know I wasn’t angry with him.
“I’d stay forever if it was safe.But the longer I put off this call, the less chance there is of that happening.I’m sorry.”
I shook my head.“Don’t be.I like safety.Sometimes that’s more important.”Especially with Zoe.
He frowned.“No, it isn’t.What we have, and what Zoe needs—isn’t that important?Maybe even more important than some fucked up biker rules?”He rubbed his beard and the unshaven stubble around it.“Canada.”
He offered it like a statement, but it really was a question.
“What’s in Canada?”
“More bullshit, less safety net, and maybe some anonymity?I don’t know.But I do know, I don’t want to leave you.I know Ican’tleave Zoe.I just can’t.”His inhale and exhale were heavy with frustration.“Tell me what to do.”
“Make the call.Find out where you stand.We’ll figure everything else out after that.”
His throat worked as he swallowed.He pulled out his phone and powered it on.
As it came to life, the notification chimes started.And didn’t let up for a full twenty dings.
He stopped looking at the screen after the fifth bell rang.Instead, he stared at the sky.
I pulled it out of his hand.“Twenty-three messages.”
