I'm happy to be back with another story for all of you! I'd like to thank my good friend and reviewer Bryce for this story idea.
And as with all of my stories, I like to incorporate music into the story. You don't have to listen to them, but I still think it adds so much more to the story and characters if you do.
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Jack's eyes fought to open as his alarm blared at the dreaded hour of 6:00 am. It was time to get out of his soft, warm bed. It was time to pull up his jeans and don another v-neck before trudging to the bathroom for his morning ritual.
Once Jack was ready for yet another day in the trenches and pretending like he was just fine, he slowly opened his brother's room. Michael had just gotten over a cold and was supposed to go back to school today. At twelve years old, Jack trusted Michael to be responsible enough to make his own call.
Next, Jack checked on the girls. Ann, Marie and Claire still slept peacefully. They would for another half hour after Jack was clocked in at work. Ann would get them up and get them on the school bus with her.
Jack fed his turtle and tiptoed downstairs and put his backpack together before heading out into the still black morning. Lucky for him, the university was only a seven minute walk from Jack's house. The cafeteria was also where he spent his mornings from 6:30-12:00 on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, and 6:30-9:00 on Tuesdays and Thursdays before his first class.
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Jack didn't mind the work because it was pretty laid back and he worked with some interesting people. The coffee was free and all he could drink. It was a good way to wake up before he had classes.
There were two types of students Jack dealt with from his dish room. There were the little shitheads he wouldn't cry for if there was a car wreck involving all of them, but then there were his friendly and polite favorites that would even ask about how his morning was going. He would lie and tell them he was just fine.
His favorite though, was his friend since Freshman year in highschool. Blonde, gorgeous, smart and funny Kim Crawford. She was all of Jack's dreams embodied in a 5'2" athletic frame.
"Morning Jack!" Kim greeted with a smile as she scraped the little bits of scrambled egg from her plate. She was the only student who could actually get Jack to take out his ear bud, the sounds of the Shins' A Comet Appears to no longer fill his head.
"Hey Kim," Jack gave her an honest smile. This was the highlight of Jack's day while on campus. "How are you this morning?" Jack asked as he took her plate, sprayed with with the pressure hose and put it on the rack with the others, waiting for it to fill so he could run it through the machine next to him.
"Morning's good, but I'm kinda tired," Kim admitted with a shrug. "Yours?"
"About the same, I guess. Hey, um, with our first Ancient Greek Philosophy exam being next Tuesday, did you want to study together or are you going to tackle it alone?"
"We can double team that sucker," Kim said with a light smile and nod. "I have no idea what's going on over there. I'm a nursing major!" Kim pouted. Kim hated the idea of being in a class she didn't immediately take to.
"Reading about Socrates kind of makes me want to drink some Hemlock..." Jack joked. Kind of.
Kim laughed aloud and they both stood there for a moment, looking at each other through Jack's 4x4 service window with smiles on their faces, both hoping the other would have something else to say.
"Jack, quit gawking and go sweep the walk in," Ty, Jack's boss, shouted.
Jack tipped his Seaford University Dining Service cap to Kim and went to do Ty's bidding.
"Don't waste your time on Jack, Kim. You can do so much better, trust me."
"Don't act like you know Jack, Ty. We've been friends since he moved here. You haven't even known him for two years," Kim defended her friend.
"I'm telling you for your own good, little lady. Jack's a bum. He's a good dishwasher but that's all he's ever been and all I ever see him being," Ty said with a scowl.
"If that's all you can see for Jack, you have no vision," Kim scoffed and left.
Ty scoffed back louder and went to make Jack's life even worse, if he could.
Ty opened the walk in cooler and said, "Hey Jack, when you're done in here, if you could clean the employee bathroom, that would be great."
Jack looked at his phone. Only 9:00 on a Friday. Fuck his life. "What do you have against Kim, anyway?" Jack found himself asking.
"It's not Kim I have a problem with."
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It was finally time for Jack to clock out and go home for a few hours before his second dishwashing job at the local restaurant. Jack punched out and turned to leave as he flipped off Ty.
"Fuck you Brewer."
"Fuck you too, Ty. Have a horrible weekend," Jack said jovially.
"What other kind of weekend is there?" Ty said with a laugh. This was Jack's relationship with his boss. Five days a week for the last two years with another two to go.
Jack left the cafeteria and cursed his luck because it had been raining for two hours and it showed no sign of stopping. "What is it with today?" Jack grumbled, pulling up his collar and angrily thrusted his hands into the pockets of his brown Carhartt jacket.
"Hey! Need a ride?" Kim asked from her dry black Jeep. Jack smiled and hopped in before he could get completely soaked. "Where to?" she asked as she took off.
"I'm just going to my place. I have an essay to write for American Lit Survey before I go to work," Jack told her as he buckled up.
"Do you ever sleep?" Kim asked with a humorless giggle.
"I will after work tonight," Jack sighed quietly, but Kim still caught it and frowned.
"What time is 'after work'?" Kim glanced at him from the corner of her eye.
Jack exhaled and ran a hand through his long brunette hair, his fingers fidgeting against his leg like he was doing mental math. "I should be home around midnight," Jack said.
"Midnight?!" Kim forgot just how much this poor kid worked. "Didn't you work this morning?"
"I have bills and tuition to pay, along with mouths to feed," Jack shrugged. "Nothing I can do about it. That reminds me, I forgot to put up the fliers I made!" Jack exclaimed.
"Fliers? For what?"
"I'm losing my mind and I don't want Anne to lose hers, you know? So I'm trying to find a... a nanny, I guess," Jack said awkwardly.
"You need a nanny?" Kim chuckled.
"I can't be a single legal guardian while being a full time student and working over thirty hours a week. I wish I could, but it's killing me, Kim," Jack admitted, hating that he couldn't do it all on his own.
"I'll do it," Kim offered. "We've known each other for six years, Jack. I hope you can trust me enough to help you with your siblings."
"They do really like you, and you do live across the street," Jack thought aloud. "I can't pay much..." he warned.
"It's okay," Kim said dismissively. "Do you want me to start this afternoon since you work tonight?"
"That would be awesome!" Jack said happily. "Then Ann can go to her friend's house like she wanted to."
"Ann would have to stay home and watch the little guys otherwise, right?" Kim asked, knowing the answer was yes.
"Yeah, it sucks, I know. Ann hates it, but I can't leave an eight, a ten and a twelve year old home on their own from 4:15 to midnight," Jack said, hating that he and Ann were in this situation. It sucked for the whole family. "We'll have to work out your wage."
"Hey Jack?"
"Hmm?" Jack grumbled, his head against the window and his eyes closed.
"Where are your parents, anyway?" Kim asked nervously, not sure how Jack would react.
"Kim, I know that your question has a direct correlation with what we were just talking about, but can we talk about that later? I'm kinda in a bad mood already..." Jack kept his voice even to show Kim that she had nothing to do with his bad mood.
"Sure, sorry I..." Jack cut her off.
"Never apologize for asking me a question. You totally have a right since you just hired on to be the kids' nanny, I just don't want to go into it right now," Jack explained.
Kim had just reached the driveway to the house that she, Julie and Grace were renting together. Jack, as discussed, lived across the street.
"Come over at 4:30, I'll give you a ride to work and then I'll watch the kids?" Kim asked like Jack could say no.
"You don't have to drive me to work, Kim," Jack chuckled. The idea of owning a car at this point in his life made him laugh. Bills, rent, tuition and being a legal guardian on top of car payments? That's rich!
"It's no bother, Jack," Kim assured him.
"I'd like the walk if the weather clears up," Jack says honestly. "It's only a mile away."
"Alright, suit yourself," Kim laughs. "So I'll be over at 4:00 incase there's anything I should know?"
"Sure, why not."
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At 4:00 on the dot, Kim was knocking on Jack's door. The door opened but she didn't see anybody. She looked down and saw a toothy grin.
"Hi Kimmy!" Claire said with her usual bubbly attitude. "Jack's sleeping," she said as Kim stepped in.
"Jack's sleeping, huh? Is Ann around?" Kim asked, looking for the next closest thing to a conscious adult.
"Yeah, I'll go get her," Claire smiled and was gone in a little brunette blur.
Ann came trudging down the stairs in her signature jeans, graphic t-shirt and flannel button-up. "Hey Kim, what's up?" Ann asked with a scrunched brow, surprised to see the older blonde girl.
"I'm here to watch the kiddos," Kim explained.
"I thought I was..."
"Jack didn't tell you?" Kim asked as confused as Ann was now.
"Jack hasn't said shit. He's been asleep since we got home half an hour ago," Ann laughed.
"Does he sleep alot?" Kim asked, feeling a little worried for her friend she felt like she didn't know anything about anymore.
"I wouldn't say alot, I'd say more like when he can," Ann said. "I should wake him up for work."
"Let the poor boy sleep a little longer," Kim countered. "I'll give him a rude, then I'll bring you to your friend's."
"Seriously? I get to go to Shelby's?" Ann was already excited.
"Yeah, you should have what's left of your childhood," Kim said seriously. "Anything I should know about allergies, bedtimes, TV limits?" Kim asked, figuring Ann would know these things.
"Not really, just the Michael's Diabetes thing, but he's pretty much on top of it. He's a total wuss, but he's smart.
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"I'll wake up Jack now," Ann said as she put down her phone.
A ten seconds later, Jack came flying around the corner and into the walk way to throw his shoes on. "Damn it damn it damn it!" Jack chanted, thinking he was going to be late for work.
"Jack, relax. I'm going to bring you to work," Kim giggled. She'd never seen him like this before.
"I said you didn't have to," Jack said as he wrenched the door open.
"I told Ann to let you sleep a little longer. You obviously needed it," she said as they walked to her car.
"I appreciate it, but you're my friend, not my driver," Jack said stubbornly.
"And friends help each other," Kim countered.
"When have I ever helped you?" Jack scoffed.
Kim held up a finger and her look challenged him to keep pushing her. Jack didn't say anything. "You got my purse back after that guy stole it, I left the house without money once and you insisted on buying my lunch, I was accused of plagiarism and you successfully defended me, I was going to be late for class because I couldn't find my keys so you hot wired my own car for me! You still haven't told me why you can do that..."
"Alright, I get it," Jack yielded and got into the car.
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Kim returned to the Brewer house and went back inside without knocking. Almost immediately she heard the thundering of little feet, and Claire was already wrapped around her leg. "Hey Peanut," Kim smiled.
"Up me?" Claire asked hopefully. She had never gotten out of the very childish request.
Kim dropped down and picked her up with a grunt. "You're getting so big!" Kim said as she blew a raspberry into Claire's neck. "I won't be able to carry you around soon."
"Don't say that, Kimmy! I love getting ups!" Claire wrapped her little arms around Kim's neck and pulled her tight with her legs. "Let go, Kimmy! I'm like a koala!" Claire beamed as Kim let go and she just hung there. "See?"
"You're getting so strong!" Kim praised with a giggle.
"Come on Claire, at least give Kim five minutes before you drive her nuts," Ann said coming into the hallway.
"It's okay," Kim laughed. "She just can't do this when she's your age. Kim walked into the living room where Marie and Michael were playing Lego Star Wars. "Hi again, guys," Kim waves and joins them on the couch. "How was school today?"
"It was good," Michael said nonchalantly.
"Blargh!" was Marie's reply as she threw herself into the back of the couch, her eyes closed and her tongue out.
Kim threw her head back and laughed at Jack's sassy younger sister. "Do you guys want to go for a car ride?" Kim asked, remembering she told Ann she'd bring her to her friend's.
"Yeah!" the younger girls shouted, nearly bouncing. Kim swore she could say anything in that excited town and they'd be all for it.
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"Yo Jack!" Jerry, Jack's best friend, greeted happily. "I'm glad you're working tonight bro," Jerry said as he showed him the reservation sheet for the night. "It's gonna get stupid."
"I'm sure we got this, man," Jack said confidently. There wasn't much they could do to him that he hadn't already been through in his three years there.
"JACK!" Milton and Phil shouted happily as Jack and Jerry walked into the small but effective kitchen.
"How's school going, my friend?" Phil asked with boyish enthusiasm.
"School is school, Phil. Nerve racking and busy as hell, but I'm good at it, and I love it. I just wish I didn't have so much of it at once," Jack chuckled. "Milton, how's the wife?" Jack asked.
Milton rolled his eyes and chuckled at Jack's good humor. Jack knew full well that Milton and Julie were only dating, though serious it was. "Julie's fine, Jack. Trying to keep her head above water like the rest of us."
"I hear that," Jerry said and whooed.
"No you don't," Milton chuckled. "Dishwashing and failing at getting girls is all you do."
"You can shut the hell up, Milton!" Jerry fired back, but that was all he had.
The little printer that sat above the kitchen island began it's alerting buzzing that the show was about to begin. It was about to get stupid.
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Kim and the three young siblings sat around in the living room watching Phineas and Ferb on Netflix.
"What do you guys want to do for dinner?" Kim asked as her phone told her it was nearing 6:00 pm.
"Jack made ham and cheese soup yesterday," Michael answered. "It's pretty good and there's a lot of it. Jack already has it carb counted for me."
Kim smiled, thinking about Jack. He was always so busy, speed walking here and there for work or class. He still found the strength to care for his siblings. Jack's a bum. Ty's words slashed through her mind and she tried not to laugh aloud.
"Will you guys set the table while I heat up dinner?" Kim asked politely and the kids shot into action. This made Kim wonder a lot about these little now busybodies. Were they all about teamwork? Was it Jack's leadership abilities Kim knew he had from JROTC? Or were their parents... abusive? That thought made Kim's stomach roll as she looked at the adorable, soft spoken ten year old that was Marie Brewer.
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The tickets flew in and the food flew out of the Seaside Bar and Grill.
Jack could barely hear Tears for Fears' The Working Hour that played on the radio. The noise of the printer, the slamming doors of coolers, the walk in, the ovens, the microwaves and the bubbling of the deep fryer along with the constant whir of Jack and Jerry's dishwasher was sensory overload.
Jack couldn't even tell what the slick moisture was on his face and arms even was. Was it steam from the hot dishwasher that blasted him every one he opened the metal door? Was it condensation from the water in his holding sink he was constantly bent over? Or was it his own sweat from the heat of the kitchen and going a million miles an hour for three hours?
Jack dipped into the water and thrashed around, scrubbing a plate with a green brillo pad and then added the plate the rack. He threw the machine door open and used his full rack to push out the next to Jerry who waited diligently to put the dishes where they belonged for their next use. Back down into the water Jack went as his eyes shot up to see Claire the waitress bring in another tray full of dirty dishes.
In no time Jack and Jerry had dispatched those as well. The tickets trickled instead of flooded now, and Jerry began the task of flipping the cook lines. New pans were brought up and the stock was rotated. The reusables were refreshed and put into clean pans and the beyond repairs were tossed.
Jack plowed through those and the two soup pots before scrubbing down the long cutting boards with bleach and dish soap and spraying them off again before setting them aside to dry.
The rush was done and the atmosphere slowed down and felt heavier to Jack. His breathing didn't calm but only sped up as his mind and body caught up and acclimated to the stress and anxiety that Jack had shrugged off until now.
It wasn't just the shift, but school and the homework ahead of him, his other job, his lack of sleep caused by insomnia and his constantly over thinking head. Everything that was his week, his semester flooded him at once and he fought to control the wave of worry and anxious excitement.
His breathing picked up and he was forced to fight for every breath. His mind outran him and he became dizzy, his stomach rolled and he somewhat heard Phil telling him to go sit down in the empty room reserved for big parties. Jack nodded and stumbled out of the kitchen and almost fell through the door before he braced his back against the wall and slid down, becoming fetal.
Jack speared his still wet hands through his long brunette hair and fought to take back his breathing. His body became numb and he couldn't move anymore as the full effect of the attack set in.
After minutes, it finally receded like the throbbing pain of a burn cooled by water. Completely exhausted and beaten down, Jack fell asleep in that dark corner.
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"Hey buddy, you okay?" Jerry asked as he lightly shook Jack awake. "How you doin'?"
Jack awoke in a haze, feeling like he'd just lost a fight. He tried to get up and was only able to do so with a hand from Jerry. "I feel terrible, Jer," Jack admitted.
"Come on, let me drive you home, alright?" Jerry offered as he patted Jack's back.
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"Thanks Jer, I'll see you soon, man," Jack said with a lazy smile as he and Jerry fist bumped.
"No problem. Take it easy, yo," Jerry said before driving off.
Jack sighed and walked up the sidewalk and clopped up the stairs of his house. He opened the door and heard nothing. That's odd, he thought. It was midnight, but he still expected Kim to be awake. Did she put the kids to bed and hit the bricks? She was too responsible for that.
Jack peeled of his damp shoes. It was impossible to work a shift and get out with dry socks unless you had waterproof shoes. The pressure sprayer and par for the course splashing of water saw to that.
After stepping into the living room, a smile graced Jack's exhausted lips. There he found Kim asleep, her head resting on Claire's lap and Marie was under her back like Kim was a giant human blanket. Michael was also asleep, Kim's legs over him. Jack would face this day every day if it meant they were safe, warm and fed.
Kim was angelic, sleeping across all three of them like she was part of the family herself. Jack smiled at that and was so happy the kids took to her and her to the kids.
Jack inspected the kitchen to find the dishes done and put away, even. There was even enough soup left for him, a little sticky note resting on the lid of the Tupperware. There were no words, only a little ;).
Jack smiled and rolled his eyes, knowing it was Kim.
As Jack tucked himself into bed that night, he thought for the first time in a long time that he could do this. He just needed a little help.
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So here's the pilot to my new story. Please for the love of Kick, follow it, favorite it, poke it with a spatula, REVIEW IT! Let me know how I'm doing and don't be afraid to tell me what you'd like to see. Thanks!