Page 30 of Steel & Jenna
Was he stupid to even be considering this? His heart was still racing at the consideration.
“Jack, I don’t want you to jump into anything. How about this? Stay the weekend with us. I’ll take you in the morning to pick up some things, just in case your dad is there. I know what I’m proposing is unorthodox, but I’ve also been in your shoes. I know what it feels like to be without a lifeline.” He patted Jack on the shoulder. “You’ve done a phenomenal job and I’m not disputing that. I’m merely offering a way out. You can quit your jobs and liveyourlife.”
The weekend. Two whole days of food, a roof over their heads, safety…
“Mr. Zarin?”
“Yeah, Jack?”
“Are we a package deal?”
The man shook his head. “What do you mean?”
“I mean, would you take Lilly even if I didn’t come live here too?”
Mr. Zarin tilted his head slightly. “If that’s what you chose to do, I will respect that. But you’re always welcome, Jack. I don’t want you to feel like you’re not.”
Jack nodded. “I get that, I do. It’s just…” That lump in his throat was back. “I need to know she’s taken care of, no matter what. I have plans once I turn eighteen. To take her away, I mean. It’s just… It’s hard to raise that sort of money. But if she’s here, I can work more. Maybe even drop out of school. I can?—”
“Jack!” Mr. Zarin took his shoulders roughly, turning him on the stool so they were nose to nose. “You are not listening to me. You deserve to be a kid! You are not Lilly’s father! It is not your responsibility to sacrifice your life for hers!
“What I am offering you does not come with an expiration date. Lilly is not welcome here only until you turn eighteen. She’s welcome herealways. You are welcome herealways. There are no conditions. You,” Mr. Zarin shook him slightly, “do not have to worry about food, clothing,anything. For either of you. Do you understand what I am saying?”
Before Jack could answer, Mr. Zarin pulled him against his chest. Jack couldn’t remember the last time a grown man had hugged him. He wasn’t even sure if John Duncan had ever hugged him, even as a young boy. The bear hug made Jack stiffen, unsure how to react, but it was Mr. Zarin’s next words that broke the dam.
“You have the chance at greatness, Jack. That heart of yours is going to do wonders for this world. But there’s a difference, albeit a fine one, between being selfless and being a martyr. You’re too young to understand it yet, so trust me on this. It’s okay to lean on others for help. It’s okay toaskfor help. It does not make you weak. But perhaps I shouldn’t have asked you what you are willing to give up for your sister’s health and safety. Perhaps the better question is, what are you willing to let go of for yours?”
CHAPTER 8
2 YEARS, 3 MONTHS, 3 DAYS
For the first time in a year, Jack didn’t have to wake Lilly up to go on his paper route with him. After accepting Mr. Zarin’s offer to stay the weekend, Jack and Lilly had stayed in their guest room. Mrs. Zarin had been equally as surprised as Lilly by Mr. Zarin’s generous proposal. Jack could see the love between the two adults like a tangible string connecting them. He hoped Jenna and he had that one day.
Though Mrs. Zarin had offered to clean off the couch in the other spare room, which she used as an office space, Jack had assured her that he and Lilly were good to stay in the same room. In fact, he preferred it. Despite the assurances that Mr. Zarin made stating otherwise, Jack wasn’t so quick to trust. Until he was absolutely certain that there were no strings attached to the offer to live with the Zarins, he and Lilly would continue to share a room.
However, Jack felt comfortable enough to leave Lilly at the house to sleep while he did his paper route because Mr. Zarin was comingwith him. The man was up with a travel mug of coffee and keys in hand before Jack had made it bleary-eyed down the stairs.
“Rise and shine, youngster,” he said with a far too cheerful demeanor.
They took Mr. Zarin’s old truck, the first vehicle he said he’d ever owned, and headed out. The fact that the truck had a heater made this the best morning Jack had ever experienced. Once they got the papers into the bed of the truck, Jack rode in the cab as they headed towards his route. Once there, Jack hopped in the bed and threw the papers into the driveways as Mr. Zarin drove slowly down the road.
He’d never finished a paper route so fast before! Then Mr. Zarin took him to the diner for some breakfast.
It had been a very long time since Jack had eaten breakfast. The rare times he had, it had been leftovers in a can from the night before that either he or Lilly hadn’t finished.
“You’re going to spoil me,” Jack told Mr. Zarin as a large platter of eggs, bacon, toast, and fruit was placed in front of him. He tried to laugh off the truth of that statement, but Mr. Zarin did not find it amusing.
“Kids are meant to be spoiled,” he replied. “I’ve always dreamed of having a son or daughter to dote on. I’m not saying you have to start calling me ‘Dad’,” he added quickly, “but I hope you’ll forgive an old man for his need to take care of those in his household.”
Jack paused in picking up his fork. He didn’t see Mr. Zarin as ‘old’. But come to think of it, he didn’t know how old he was. “Can I ask you some questions?”
“Of course.” Mr. Zarin had gotten an egg sandwich that was the size of a large cheeseburger. He had to lift it with both hands as he took his first bite.
“What do you do for a living?”
Mr. Zarin chewed and swallowed before replying. “I work at the hardware store, but I was a Marine before I retired three years ago.”
Jack blinked, shocked. “Really?” Mr. Zarin nodded in answer. “That must have been so exciting! You were deployed?”
