Right Between the Ink on Your Tattoo
Chapter One- Not The Same
Jack sat on the couch staring blankly at the news. This had become a daily ritual for him. Everyday after lunch he would hobble into the living room and drown himself in internal battles that he refused to discuss with anyone. It annoyed Bobby the most and so everyday at the same time Bobby would down two beers as he sat in the chair across the room glaring at his brothers misery. They barely spoke anymore. Bobby didn't tease Jack like he used to, maybe because he felt guilty but on the other hand he might just be frustrated with his brother who at most would say "I need a new pack," every few days. For some reason no one knew why but when ever Jack would announce his craving needing to be fed Bobby would scream at him about how if he didn't stop smoking he was going to kill himself and Bobby wasn't going to bury his dead body. Angel always laughed as if Bobby was just joking around like old times. Jerry knew better, he saw the rage in Bobby's eyes, he saw the pain Jack was causing. Jerry couldn't take it anymore he couldn't watch as his brothers ripped each other apart and he knew Angel had no idea. Angel was too busy planning the wedding. So Jerry had made up his mind. This had to end.
"Alright both of you need to get over this. We all suffered from the shooting but you two are just trying to tear this family apart," Jerry yelled as he stood in the middle of the room taking time to send death glares at them both.
"Fuck Jerry what are you talking about? If Jack would get the fuck over himself and start being human again everything would be fucking normal. So don't blame this on me," Bobby spat in a fit of rage. He stood inches from Jerry staring him down as if waiting for Jerry to run away but not this time.
"This is your fault Bobby, your making him this way. All you've ever done is tease him and treat him like shit and when he needed you most you turned your back on him," Jerry responded. Not once did he break eye contact even in the second that he saw Bobby snap.
In one quick blow Bobby had Jerry on the ground and quickly threw a punch into Jerry's stomach before ripping everything off the walls, the selves and throwing the chair he had once been sitting in at the wall. He stood there just for a second, took in a heavy breath and then bounded out the door.
Jerry slowly stood up and looked around at the destruction Bobby had caused. He looked at Jack who was still staring, he hadn't moved not an inch, he barely looked as if he were breathing. Jerry followed his gaze to the record player that now lay in pieces on the floor. He sighed and sat down beside Jack. He rubbed his stomach where a bruise was now forming.
"So... I bet you can guess what I'm about to say," Jerry exhaled as he spoke softly. Jack nodded slowly.
"Your not the same Jack and it's ... strange." Jack looked at Jerry not meeting his gaze but still gave him the attention he needed to know he understood. Jack opened his mouth to as if to say something but he quickly closed it without a word.
"It's okay Jack you can tell me anything, I swear Bobby will never hear about it." Jack took in a deep breath and sighed. He was silent as he thought about what to say but eventually he opened his mouth.
"Jerry... I need to go back to Chicago."
Jerry looked at his brother through wide eyes.
"Why do you need to go back to Chicago? I mean what ever it is can't you do it here?" Jerry asked putting alot of emphasis on the word need. The only thing Jerry thought needed to be done was his family needed to act more like a family, not a bunch of angry cavemen.
"Well ..cause I just do," Jack snapped.
"Jack, Didn't Ma teach you that cause isn't a good enough anwer for anything. Like... what was it she used to say?" Jerry pondered glancing up at the cieling as he thought.
"You skipped school just cause. If that's your answer then you better go to school just cause. Maybe then you'll be able to give me an answer that has a good reason behind it," Jack instantly recited. Jerry let out a laugh.
"Must have heard that one alot huh?" Jerry grinned.
Jack just shrugged. The casual conversation had just been butchered.
"Come on Jack just tell me why you have to go back? I swear no one will hear of it."
"I...well, it's been so long but... I hadn't planned on staying so long. Then I was forced to stay..." He looked away.
"What are you talking about Jack?"
"I love her Jerry and now... she probably thinks I left her, she probably hates me. I've been away for to long." Jerry didn't understand.
"Who is she Jack?"
"Her name is Kaye."
"But I don't understand. Who is she?"
"My inspiration, my hope, my..." Jack's voice shook and he shut down before he finished his explination. He was back to being emotionless and silent.
A second later he stood up and ran upstairs locking his door behind him. Jerry just sat there and thought. Maybe he could fix this, maybe he could get everything back to the way it once was.