An Eye For An Eye...

Part 1

Aaron wiped the sweat from his brow but knew that within seconds moisture would again be trickling down his face. It was a blistering hot day, way too hot a day, but as physically draining as it was to be working out in the midday sun, he wasn't going to complain or let it dampen his spirits. It wasn't all that long ago that he was working out in the snow, shivering in the sub-zero temperatures. It had been a harsh winter, spring had arrived late but had thankfully been quickly followed by a hotter than usual start to summer. Deciding he was in need of a cold drink he headed into the scrapyard's office, as he stepped through the open doorway the phone began to ring. 'Good timing,'Aaron thought to himself. He was on his lonesome today and the constantly ringing phone had meant he was traipsing back and forth to the car he was working on.

The customer's query had Aaron eye the calendar pinned to the wall, as he penciled in a name and the part to be collected he realised that today was the 7th, 'the 7th of June'. Now why did that date ring a bell? Why was...'

In the blink of an eye Aaron's good mood evaporated, the joy in his heart eclipsed by a mix of guilt and intense sadness. How could he have forgotten what day it was? How could it have slipped his mind? It was unforgivable, inexcusable. How could he have let his present excitement swamp all else? It was June 7th... and seven years since Jackson's death. That day had been the worst day of his life so how could it's anniversary have crept up on him unnoticed?

Was it because another day now filled his thoughts? July 7th! On that day at he was marrying Robert. For the past few weeks it was all he could think about, there was so much to do, so much to organise, so much... still that was no excuse.

It wasn't too late was it? He could still mark the day. Another thought hit him and added to his sense of guilt. He usually sent Hazel a brief text on this day, just to let her know he was thinking of her and about Jackson. He knew it helped her in some small way, but he'd forgotten all about her just like he'd forgotten about Jackson! He'd promised Jackson he would never forget him and he'd never thought there would be a time when he did.

Tears threatened and Aaron blinked them away, there was no time for that, he had to try and put things right. Pulling his phone out of his pocket he scrolled down to Hazel's number. He'd always struggled with the wording of this particular message, and his guilt was making finding the right words even harder today. It took a while but when satisfied with the text he tapped the send button then picked up his keys and headed out the door.

Thankfully David had some fancy bouquets in his shop and Aaron had picked out the two biggest, one from him and one from Hazel. Hazel lived abroad now, he wasn't sure where as she kept moving from place to place. It seemed she couldn't settle anywhere, her heart was here in Emmerdale but she found it too painful a place to be. It had taken a long time but he had eventually moved on, but it seemed Hazel never had... and probably never would. Losing a child had to be the worst kind of pain.

Aaron drove up through the village and parked his car at the main cemetery gates, there was another car there but hopefully it didn't belong to anyone he knew because he wasn't in a talking mood. Head bowed he quickly made his way to Jackson's grave, his heart was heavy, his mind now clouded by memories of Jackson, of his death.

He was just feet away when he finally lifted his gaze, he was taken aback on seeing someone else by the graveside. Jackson's dad! As far as Aaron knew Jerry hadn't been here since the day of Jackson's funeral, and so he was the last person he expected to see here today. He hadn't thought the day could get any worse but it just had.

Jerry seemed lost in his thoughts and so far unaware of his presence, Aaron wondered if he should leave before that changed. He didn't want a confrontation and was certain them meeting would end in one. As he started to back away a twig snapped beneath his foot. Aaron held his breath hoping against hope Jerry hadn't heard it, but he had, it had been enough to rouse Jerry from his reverie.

Aaron had hoped that time would help Jerry let go of the anger and hatred he felt towards him but those emotions still burned in his eyes.

"Why are you here?" Jerry demanded.

Aaron wanted to snap back 'Why'd you think?' because it should have been obvious to Jerry, he'd loved Jackson, he still did, and always would, just like he did. Instead he decided he should try and diffuse the situation, "Not here Jerry, not today. Jackson wouldn't ..."

"Murderer!"Jerry snarled his voice thick with loathing.

"No." Aaron stated firmly. He shouldn't have to be defending his actions now, not again, and he wasn't going to.

"You should be locked up or better still lying six feet under... just like Jackson is."

"He's at peace." Aaron truly believed that and wished Jerry did to.

"Not as long as you go unpunished he's not. But justice will be done." Pointing at the marble headstone Jerry quickly added "I swear on Jackson's grave that you will pay for what you did. An eye for an eye... "

Aaron watched as Jerry suddenly strode away, not quite able to believe their encounter was over so quickly and without them coming to blows. Still he'd been left more than a little unnerved by Jerry's words. He'd just threatened him, hadn't he? It wasn't the first time he'd done so but...well there was something different about it this time. Despite the heat of the day Aaron shivered as a chill ran up and down his spine. Jerry had meant what he said!

Aaron told himself to get a grip, he was overreacting, he'd had all this shit from Jerry before and nothing had ever come of it. He'd had seven years to take his revenge, that was more than enough time to get back at him. No, this was just Jerry's grief talking, he would just fade into insignificance like he had seven years ago.

With that thought giving him some peace of mind Aaron turned his attention to Jackson's headstone, he hadn't been here in quite a while and he realised with a sickening jolt that his absence showed. The stone needed cleaning, in fact the grave needed a good tidy up. With Hazel gone it was his responsibility, one he'd once taken seriously, but his visits had got less frequent over time. Well not anymore, he would make a point of coming once a month, tend it and keep it nice, he owed Jackson that much. Feeling a little better for trying to right a wrong he turned around and headed back to his car. He'd come back later that day and do what needed doing, he would place the flowers then, it would only take an hour or so and he knew Robert wouldn't mind.

Aaron realised the other car had been Jerry's, and was more than a little relieved to see it had gone. Relief soon turned to disbelief on seeing the tyres on his car, all four of them had been slashed! "What the..." Aaron's voice trailed off as realisation struck him. Jerry was responsible for the damage, he had to be, there was no one else around.

TBC