Geoff lived alone, and he was okay with that. He worked odd jobs supplied by his friends and connections in the city, but it was enough to get by on. He was content without a wife or kids. At least, that's what Geoff told himself as he watched the young boy next to him in the local gas station.
The boy had glasses and messy red hair. He looked to be around ten years old. But something in his eyes made him seem older to Geoff. They were next to each other near the sandwich shelf. The boy's eyes scanned the food before he quickly glanced around, as if making sure that no one was watching.
It was obvious to the man what this kid was going to do, so he intervened. "Hey, listen, kid. I don't know why you were gonna steal that food, but isn't worth it. Here," he said, handing a five dollar bill to the ginger.
The boy looked at him with disbelieving eyes before he carefully took the money. Geoff left his hand extended and the boy shook it uncertainly. "Thanks," he almost whispered.
"No problem. I'm Geoff."
"…Jack," the boy replied. Giving Geoff one last glance, he took two sandwiches and a water bottle to the checkout counter.
Satisfied that he had kept the boy out of trouble, Geoff went back to getting his coffee. Though the encounter was brief, he continued to think about it for the rest of the day. There was something he liked about that kid.
uuuun
The second time he met Jack, Geoff was walking to Los Santos Customs. Around halfway there, he had seen the boy sitting at the entrance to an alley. Jack was sitting behind a dumpster under a ratty old blanket. A plastic cup sat next to him with a piece of cardboard reading, "please help. no home. No family. no money"
Geoff felt a pang in his chest at the sight. He had no idea the other day at the gas station. The man headed over to Jack, unsure of what he was doing but certain that he needed to help. When he reached him, Geoff slipped a ten into the cup. Jack still hadn't looked up, and seemed like he might be sleeping.
Knowing he would be late for work if he stayed any longer, he vowed to check back as soon as he was done. With a deep breath he forced himself to leave the small child, but not before another ten found its way into the cup.
Why am I doing this? I see plenty of kids on the streets, so why am I so attached to this one? He thought. Maybe if he asked Jack he would know, Geoff reasoned as he went on his way. Yes, talking to him would explain it.
uuuun
He was distracted all day, thinking about the poor child out in the cold fall weather. No family? No home? How was he surviving out there? Probably from the change he received and stealing what he couldn't afford he thought, remembering how suspicious Jack had been of his monetary offer. Thank the Lord it was time for Geoff to go home.
He practically ran, hoping that the boy hadn't moved. But Jack was still there, giving puppy dog eyes to passerby's who carefully avoided his gaze. Geoff sat down beside him which startled Jack. The boy started to scoot away before he recognized the man next to him.
"Oh, hey," he said softly. Jack then looked away, appearing ashamed.
"I didn't know it was this bad. I would have given you more at the gas station," Geoff stated. Once again, he felt the pangs of sadness. Suddenly, he realized why. This boy reminded Geoff of himself.
He remembered being young, probably not much older than Jack. Geoff had basically raised himself, though he had had a home at least. He remembered how terrible he had felt back then: so alone and afraid. Until his saving grace had arrived in the form of three friends. Burnie, Gus, and Joel had taken care of him from then on. They had shown him kindness again. Jack didn't have that, but he needed it.
"How long have you been alone?" Geoff asked. "Where are your parents?"
"I dun' know. I don't remember. Jus' remember that they left me."
If it was possible, Geoff's heart melted even more for this little boy. Without thinking, he clasped Jack's arm. "Come with me. I can take care of you, please." Geoff seemed just as surprised as Jack by his outburst. Jack was wide eyed and silent, mouth hanging open. Tears flooded his eyes, and it seemed as though he was about to agree. But instead, after an internal battle, the boy shook his head reluctantly.
"No, I couldn't. Thank you for the offer, though," his voice cracked as he tried desperately to keep the tears from spilling over.
Geoff was immensely confused by this answer. He didn't have and family, and he obviously wanted to come. So why did he recline? And on that note, why did Geoff offer? He had no experience with kids and had no idea how to take care of one. Still, he wanted to know what was troubling Jack. "And why could you not?"
"There's… there's someone I must take care of."
"And who would that be? I don't understand," Geoff responded softly.
"A friend. I… have to take care of him. I can't leave him alone."
Geoff nodded, not pushing any further. "Well, I'd love to meet him sometime. He seems very nice." He sat silently with Jack for a while, both content with watching people go by. Much to Geoff's surprise, it was Jack who spoke first.
"He is very nice. I'd like for you to meet him, too. Will you be coming this way tomorrow?"
"Yeah, I'll be walking by here around noon," Geoff lied. "I'll meet you here tomorrow." He paused to think before he spoke again. "Are you sure you don't want to stay with me, just for tonight? It's too cold to be out here with just that crappy blanket. Your friend can come too, if he'd like."
"He has a home to sleep in but… I mean if it isn't too much trouble of course… yeah. I'd like that a whole lot, Geoff." Jack drew his knees up to his chest while he spoke. He looked away and blushed slightly.
Geoff knew that he was grinning like an idiot, but he honestly couldn't remember the last time he was this happy. He started to get up, but paused in a crouching position. "It's a bit of a walk, so hop on, kiddo."
Jack seemed very pleased with this request and jumped on with an enthusiastic giggle. The walk back to Geoff's house was fairly uneventful, just chatting about what they saw on their trip. When the apartment complex came into view, Jack was confused.
"That's you house!?" he exclaimed.
Geoff laughed, "No, mine's on the second floor. It's not very big but I make it work."
When Geoff unlocked the door to his apartment and gave Jack a quick tour, the boy only seemed more in awe. "It's so big! You live alone in this place!?" Jack was smiling and spinning around when he spoke until he hit the edge of the couch and plummeted to the ground. Just before he landed, however, two big arms caught him.
The boy looked entirely embarrassed, which only made Geoff laugh harder. "Hey!" Jack protested weakly. But then he was laughing too and both of them fell onto the couch in a gigging heap. They had finally stopped when Geoff's stomach growled loudly and set them both off again.
"Stop! Please stop, my stomach hurts!" Jack begged through tears. Apparently, Geoff's laughter was infectious.
"Well, I guess that's my cue. What do ya want for dinner, kid?" he panted, still trying to catch his breath. Jack's face fell slightly and he untangle himself from the older man.
"Oh no, that's alright. I've already eaten today." He said, staring at his feet. Geoff was having none of that, and scooped the boy back up into his arms. "Spaghetti it is then."
Not long after, they were seated at the table with a massive bowl of spaghetti between them. Geoff served them both hearty plates before seating himself. Jack gaped at his plate and then up at Geoff. "Is this all mine!?" he exclaimed. The boy actually looked slightly scared, as if he was afraid that Geoff would take the food away. Or maybe that the noodles on his plate might eat him.
"All yours. And if you finish that there's a lot more," the man replied simply. He would feed Jack the whole damn kitchen if he wanted it. He looked so skinny and malnourished, and Geoff when his last real meal had been.
He watched Jack carefully as he ate, not wanting him to eat too fast and get a stomach ache. But Jack ate slowly, as if the plate of food was daunting. Which to him, it probably was. Jack didn't talk a lot, too focused on the meal, but periodically mumbled thanks through mouthfuls.
When they had finished eating, Jack closed his eyes and leaned back against his chair with a sigh. One eye peaked open at Geoff. "Thank you so much. I can't remember the last time I've eaten that much, or something that good, actually."
"Well there's only more where that came from. You're too skinny to be healthy. And on that note, when's the last time you've had a hot bath?" Geoff asked. Based on the way Jack nearly drooled at the thought, it had probably been a while.
He led the boy into the bathroom and turned on the water. While the tub filled, Geoff took the time to look closer at Jack. He was filthy, and his glasses were so dirty and scratched that Geoff wasn't sure he could actually see. His clothes were old and torn, and much too big to actually be his. Most likely he had taken them from wherever they had been thrown out. More than ever, Geoff was determined to give him a better life.
Once Jack was in the tub, he was satisfied with laying back and letting Geoff wash him thoroughly. Again, he was fairly quiet except for muttered thanks. Geoff carefully worked through Jack's knotted hair, and made sure every inch of the ginger was clean.
After the bath, which Jack seemed very reluctant to leave, he was wrapped in a large towel and sat on the edge of the tub. Geoff was no barber, but still trimmed Jack's hair down to a manageable level. Seeing as he didn't just have a spare set of ten year old boy's clothes laying around, Geoff gave Jack a pair of his own boxers and a large t-shirt. If possible, Jack now looked even tinier as he nearly drowned in the clothes.
The boy grinned up at him and tugged the boxers back up from where they were slipping down. Geoff nearly died at the adorable sight in front of him. If only to add to the cuteness, Jack let out a huge yawn and rubbed at his eyes. Probably bedtime, then.
He took Jack's hand and they walked back to the bedroom. Geoff tucked him in and ruffled his hair with a quiet "goodnight" to the nearly sleeping boy. However, when he turned to leave he felt a small tug on his shirt. Looking back, he saw puppy-dog eyes staring back. Without another word, he slipped into bed next to Jack, who curled into his side. Geoff had one arm under Jack's head like a pillow, and the other wrapped around him protectively.
"Thanks for the money, Geoff."
"No problem, buddy," Geoff replied. But Jack had already fallen asleep, so Geoff couldn't ask how he knew it was him. But he didn't ponder it long before he too had fallen asleep, happier than he had been in years.
uuuun
Geoff wasn't sure what time it was, but it was still pitch black when he woke up to Jack screaming. The boy was thrashing under the blankets as he cried out in fear. Geoff sat up and pulled the struggling boy into his arms. Rocking back and forth, he tried to wake Jack up without startling him more. "Jack. Jack it's just a nightmare, wake up." Truthfully, it was starting to freak Geoff out. He had absolutely no idea what to do. He shook the boy once more before the boy woke.
Jack continued to fight, unaware of where he was. "No! No, please don't!" he screamed. Geoff just continued to hold him close and murmur comforting words into his ear. After what seemed like forever, the fight seemed to leave Jack and he slowly pulled back to look at Geoff.
Recognition sparked in his eyes and he flung himself back into Geoff's hug with a loud sob. They sat like this until the sky lightened, with Geoff rubbing circles into Jack's back while he cried himself dry. It hurt Geoff to see him like this, but there was a bit of amazement as well. How long had it been since this child had someone to hold him, comfort him, tell him that everything would be alright?
So, Geoff stayed up with Jack, even after the boy had cried himself back to sleep. He wanted to be there to fight off any other monsters that tried to attack him.
uuuun
They didn't wake until well after noon. Jack found himself still tucked under Geoff's arms, warm and secure. Vague memories of last night resurfaced and he snuggled closer to Geoff with a shiver.
Careful not to wake him, Jack pulled a blanket over Geoff's shoulders. For once, he allowed himself to relax and sleep in. Only when Geoff began to stir did Jack move. With a stretch and a loud groan, Geoff rejoined the waking world. He seemed a bit disoriented when he saw the boy, but within moments a large grin appeared on his face.
"Mornin', kiddo. Hope you slept better than I did, 'cause my back is killing me."
Jack looked down guiltily but before he could open his mouth to apologize, Geoff spoke again. "Hey don't look so sad; I'm just joking. You wanna talk about your nightmare?" Jack shook his head, and then tilted it to the side thoughtfully.
"Um… can we have breakfast?" he asked cautiously, still unused to the much food just for him.
"Yeah! Come on; I'm half starved," Geoff paused in horror at his own words and then stared at Jack, unsure of what to say. Jack only laughed, "Well let's go eat, then!" But his eyes seemed to say more. He knew what Geoff had said, but he wasn't upset by it.
Geoff laughed out of relief that he hadn't hurt Jack, and guided him out for breakfast at 1:30 in the afternoon.
A filling meal of eggs and bacon later, Jack was already looking a hundred times better. He was smiling and joking like kids his age should be. Though, it seemed that Geoff was as well. They watched cartoons and had a pirate battle using empty paper towel rolls. Later on Geoff decided that they absolutely had to make cookies and they ran to the grocery store immediately.
One floury food fight later, the cookies were in the oven. Jack was on Geoff's lap sorting the new cookie decorating supplies. Geoff watched the football game, but glanced down every once and a while to add his input to the piles Jack had made. He sorted the colors of frosting into groups of colors he thought went well together.
After rearranging many times, he picked up the green and orange. He glanced up at Geoff. "What's your favorite color?" he asked.
"Blue, what's yours?" he replied. Instead of answering verbally, Jack showed him the green tube and then picked up the blue one as well. "Is orange your second favorite?" he questioned upon seeing the third color. Jack shook his head sadly, and held it a little closer.
"It's Ryan's favorite," he sighed. Geoff figured that this must be his mystery friend and pulled Jack a little closer, smiling down at him.
"You wanna bring some cookies over to him when they're done?" As if he summoned it, the oven beeped.
"Yeah! Yeah! Yeah! He'll love it!" Jack raced to the kitchen and threw the oven door open. Before Geoff could stop him, Jack grabbed the cookie sheet bare handed and yanked them out. Only then did he realize that they were burning hot and dropped them with a loud cry of pain. Geoff cringed as he watched the food clatter to the floor while Jack began to cry. He hurried over and ran the wailing boy's hands under water.
It took a while to calm him down once more, and a bit longer when Jack looked down and saw the red skin with blisters appearing. But eventually, all was well again when his hands had been covered in get better kisses.
They picked up the cookies together and began decorating. Silly faces, cool designs, and their names covered their cookies. Jack made a few extra specials ones for his friend with their favorite colors. A few of the cookies had been glued back together with frosting.
Soon after, they headed out and back towards where Geoff had found Jack the day before. Jack then took hold of his hand and led him down the alleyway. Geoff had no idea what to expect; he didn't even know where they were going.
Through the alley and down the street they went, until they arrived at an older house. Instead of going to the front door, Jack walked into the backyard. Overgrown grass overtook the stray children's toys on the lawn. Jack peered behind the bushes and up into the few trees. With no luck, he turned back to the house. With a small happy gasp, he started to jump up and down while waving his hands.
That was when Geoff saw the boy. He had been looking in the windows to catch a glimpse of Jack's friend, but only saw him when he raised his eyes further. There, on the roof, was a boy only a year of two younger than Jack. Ryan had his knees tucked up to his chest and his head buried in his arms. It was apparent that the boy hadn't seen him, so Jack picked up a small stone and tossed it up onto the roof, careful not to hit Ryan.
The younger boy jumped at the noise and looked down. The fear on his face turned to joy and he scrambled off the roof. Geoff could barely watch Ryan as he dropped down onto a windowsill and then onto a small deck. Soon, he was tackling Jack in a hug. They giggled and wrestled on the ground, until Ryan noticed Jack's hands.
"What happened to you, Jack!? Did this guy hurt you? Who is he, anyway?" Ryan looked up at Geoff with a furious glare.
"No, no, no! I just burned myself making cookies," Jack explained, pointed to said treats in the container beside them. The boy then stood up and gestured with flourish to Geoff. "This is my new friend, Geoff! I know he looks scary with all his tattoos n' stuff, but he's really nice!"
Geoff attempted to put on his most harmless smile. He knew that many people, not just children, were intimidated by him. He usually used it to his advantage, but now he just wanted to befriend the two boys.
Ryan got up slowly, still untrusting of the new man. But he did trust Jack, so he finally looked up and gave Geoff a tiny smile. "Hey, I'm Ryan. Nice to meet you."
uuuun