Page 23 of A New Year Baby

CHAPTER 14

JACK

It took months, but we finally orchestrated an escape.

All four of us managed to get out, without a hair harmed on our heads. We even feel a bit guilty, because the villagers did need us, and we even made some friends with some of the locals while we stayed there. I do not even want to talk about how many girls wanted to marry the single American doctor. They were definitely thirsty, and possibly more dangerous than the big dudes with guns—I am just glad I made it out of there alive.

As soon as I get my freedom, and get my hands on a cell phone, the first thing I do is video call my parents. It rings for a moment, and then my father picks up, looking confused.

“Hello?” my father says.

“Dad,” I say, and I’m close to tears. “It’s so good to see you.”

“Who are you?” he asks, reaching for his glasses and adjusting them on his nose to peer closely at the screen. “Are you from the cable company? Because I need more hockey channels.”

“Dad, it’s Jack,” I say with surprise.

“Who’s that?” my father asks. “I don’t know any Jake.”

“Are you joking?” I ask him.

“I’m not buying anything!” my father shouts. “Damn telemarketers.”

“Dad, I’m not a telemarketer. It’s Jack—your son? In Africa?”

He frowns, and then calls for my mother. “Honey! Honey, do you recognize this strange man on my phone? He says his name is Jacob—”

“Jack!” I correct with surprise.

“Oh, yes, yes, that’s right. Honey! Um, it’s John or James or something,” my father says, waving his hand. “Do we know him? Or should I tell him to get lost?”

My mother comes over to the phone then, and she seems startled. “Yes, of course! It’s Jack, honey. Our son? The doctor?”

“We have a son?” my father says, scratching his chin. “Oh. Well that’s nice. Uh, what did you say your name was again, young man? Jamal?”

My jaw drops open slightly in shock, as my mother takes the phone.

“I’m so sorry, baby. Your dad—he gets confused lately. He’s been dealing with some health issues. Please don’t take it personally. He forgets who I am sometimes, too. Or he forgets what I said three seconds ago and I have to repeat myself ten times. We’re just both getting old, honey.”

“Mom,” I say with horror. “That’s not a normal symptom of getting old! It sounds like Dad could have a serious neurodegenerative disorder. He needs a cognitive assessment. He may need medication. Has he gotten an MRI?”

“Yes, yes. We’ve been trying to take him to get checked out, but you know how stubborn he is. Eve came home all the way from Alaska to try to take care of him, but he won’t listen to her. Darling, where on earth have you been? I’ve been worried sick.”

“It’s a long story, Mom,” I say with a deep sigh. “I’m just so glad to see your face. I’ll be home as soon as I can.”

“Sweetie, why haven’t you called?” my mother asks. “Is everything okay? Did you get into some kind of trouble?”

I guess my employers neglected to tell my family I was missing. This makes me frown, but it’s probably for the best. It seems like my mom has her hands full taking care of my father. How did things get so bad without me realizing? “I’ll explain everything when I get home,” I tell her.

“Excuse me, uh, Jonathan?” my father says. “Did you set up the hockey channels for me yet? Because my daughter is getting married to a hockey player, and I don’t want to miss any of his games.”

“Mary’s getting married to Sebastian?” I ask with surprise. “When?”

“No, no, no,” my father says, waving his hand. “Not him, Joseph. The other guy. Thegoodleft wing.”

I have no idea what he’s talking about—I am entirely out of the loop.

“She’s getting married in a few days,” my mother says. “If you hurry home, sweetie, maybe you can make it in time for the wedding.”

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