Page 249 of Steeling Her
“Thank you for hearing me out,” he continues. I nod and thank him for stopping by, even if it’s on the other side of the country and a short visit to my home.
I open the door for him to leave and get back into his car. The unexpected visit went surprisingly well; better than our last meeting.
“Thanks for meeting with me, Mr. Jackson. I wish it was under different circumstances, but I do appreciate you coming here tonight.” I smile weakly, remembering the bad times between us.
“Me too. And thank for not slamming the door in my face. I really wouldn’t have blamed you if you did.” He steps outside with the sun just about to set in the background behind him. He holds his hand open for me to take, and I do. I shake his hand firmly, a mutual agreement for the two of us to start fresh—a clean slate.
I smile up at the thin faced man, and he smiles down at me. He removes his hand and turns to walk towards his car, only to stop after few steps away from the door. He stares forward at the open air with his back to me and takes a deep breath, his shoulders moving up and down to mimic someone who is trying to shrug something imaginary off their back.
After that, he doesn’t hesitate to turn around but remains in his spot. He’s nods to himself and looks to his side, hesitating on something and contemplating on whether he should say it or not, over towards the sun dipping behind the horizon, illuminating his face and highlighting the depths under his cheekbones. The view looks like a live action painting of the sun setting behind the horizon.
He cranes his neck back around to me as I wait for him to say something. I can tell he has something on his mind. He licks his lips and wipes the corners of his mouth with his thumb and index finger in thought.
An internal battle.
With one deep breath he looks at me once more. “I know you don’t owe me anything, but can you do me a favor?” He nods, hoping that I will too. I oblige and listen to him. “Keep an open mind, especially with Nick,” he says before walking away. I didn’t even have a chance to respond to his request. He walked away without even hearing one word leave my mouth or turning back around, even as he slips into his car.
Nothing.
I stand there and watch him leave. I watch him drive away into the night that had just fallen. I stand by the door, his words still ringing in my ears.
Keep an open mind.
Especially with Nick.
***
Nick
As I sit in the back seat of the car with my sister and TJ upfront, we drive back down the streets of the neighborhood they’re in so we can get home. Our flight had been delayed slightly, so it’s already night time as we begin to make our way back home. The street lights shine as we pass them by, one by one.
I flicker in and out of consciousness as the lights shine through the windows on me with every second that passes. Haley took the reins in driving home. She knows that we’re both tired from the game yesterday.
Our muscles ache along with our minds.
The mental game is what I find the hardest. It’s something that I’ve worked hard on throughout the years. Now I find it hard to switch it off, effectively making me exhausted from my own thoughts. The game is hard, don’t get me wrong. If it were easy, anyone could do it.
The game’s not for everyone.
“We’re nearly there. I know you guys are hungry, so I’ll make some food when we get in, okay?” Haley offers and we’re only too delighted to accept. However, I know she’s tired too. That’s why TJ offers his hand for her to take as she drives us back home. I’m thankful she’s driving us and not me. I’m too drained.
“Thanks,” I hum as I lean my head back against the headrest and shut my eyes for a few moments. A nice place to lay down on is what I’m looking forward to. It’s just what the doctor ordered for me, and I’m not about to refuse.
“What the hell?” Haley whispers, making my eyes dart open to see what she’s looking at. I don’t see anything abnormal out the window.
“Who is that?” TJ leans forward, making me do the same and look out the front window to join them in the guessing game.
I see a dark hunched figure sitting under the porch light. A familiar frame to us all.
“Dad?” Haley asks us because he cannot hear a word we’re saying. As the headlights beam right at him, he looks up and shields his eyes from the bright light while he remains sitting on the porch alone.
“What the fuck?” I ask but rush out the door to see why he’s here.
So does Haley. She barely parked the car before she rushed out to wrap her arms around our dad and greet him. “What the hell is he doing here?” I ask myself but TJ answers.
“No idea.” He clears his throat and follows after my sister to greet our father and his future father-in-law. I shut the car door and make my way towards them gathering around the front door of their house.
I’m dying to move out. As much as I appreciate them having me in their home, I can’t wait to leave them alone. Too much kissing, too many hugs, and too much noise that keeps me up at night. It’s not something an older brother wants to hear, but I’ve had to bite my tongue and move on from it.
