Page 19 of Forever Wild
I hurry around to the driver’s seat and get in. Jack and the other guy take their time, talking on the sidewalk. The older gentleman lays a hand on Jack’s shoulder. It’s such an endearing, supportive gesture. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone treat Jack that way. He’s always the one reassuring others.
Jack glances back at the vehicle and I avert my gaze. His dad is snoring in the back.
When he finally opens the passenger door, Jack climbs in and then says nothing.
We sit in a heavy silence until I can’t bear it any longer.
“Where to?”
He sighs, then rests his head against the headrest. He rubs absently at the top of his left knee. I wonder if he tweaked it or maybe it just hurts from sitting with his feet dangling down instead of elevated.
“Follow Coach.” Without opening his eyes, he points in front of us.
I hadn’t noticed the other man, but he’s pulled up beside me in a black truck with the windows down. I roll mine down so he can see me past the tinted windows and give him a thumbs-up.
I am not good at keeping my mouth shut, which often gets me into trouble. But I can’t just drive along and not ask some very basic questions. I open my mouth, but Jack cuts me off first.
“Later.” His tone is weary. He meets my stare, and his expression is so pleading that I find myself nodding.
When the black truck pulls to a stop in front of a big, brick house with pristine landscaping, I figure there can’t be any more surprises today. I know drunks don’t necessarily live in run-down shacks and all that, but this place is so nice.
“You’re home, Dad.” Jack’s voice is loud but curt.
I already knew it, but it still shocks me. Hisdad.
Coach is already parked and coming to help get the other man inside. Not just some other guy. Jack’s father. I didn’t even know Jack had a father. I mean, of course, he has a father, but he never talks about his family. I thought he was born in the arena with hockey skates onhis feet.
The same way we got him out of the bar, we take him into the house. The TV in the living room is on, but otherwise the place is quiet and still.
Coach and I deposit Jack’s dad on the couch. I let out a long breath. His dad is thin, but he’s tall and limp, which makes him heavy.
Jack is taking in the place, the beer bottles and the dirty plates scattered on the coffee table.
“I got it from here,” Jack says, giving me a quick side-eye. Am I dismissed? Is that what’s happening?
I hate being ordered around and he hates people not listening to him. Every instinct in me wants to rebel. Not just with him, with everyone. However, I can see the way he’s fighting for control right now. I know this isn’t the first time this has happened. Probably not even the tenth. His dad is just another person that Jack takes care of. Meanwhile, he won’t let anyone take care of him.
“Okay,” I relent. “I’ll be outside.”
As I close the door behind me, I decide I don’t want to get back in the SUV, so I sit on the front step. It’s a nice neighborhood. A mix of houses, new and old, but all maintained well.
Minutes pass by before the front door opens again. Coach steps out and takes a seat next to me.
“Everything okay in there?” I ask. I don’t know this man, but I feel like we’re trauma buddies or something.
“Yeah. He’ll be okay. Thanks for your help.” He holds a big hand out to me. “I’m John.”
I guess I should have known his name wasn’t really Coach, but this whole situation has my brain not firing on all cylinders. John must read my confusion because he says, “I was Jackie’s hockey coach whenhe was a kid.”
“Ah. Makes sense,” I say. “Everly. I’m a friend.”
I’m not sure Jack would call me his friend but explaining the intricacies of how we know each other and how I’m the only one that was nearby and available at the exact time he needed me feels like overkill.
“Well, Everly, it’s nice to meet you. Jackie boy won’t be long. He’s just taking a few moments alone with his dad, probably scolding him. Not like it’ll do any good.” The last part is a quiet mutter more to himself than me.
“Does this kind of thing happen a lot?” I ask.
“Too often.” He nods his head, looking out toward the street.
