CHAPTER 2
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As Sue's cab pulled up in front of Jack's parents' house, she reached into her purse and took out her Blackberry.
"Hi." She said as someone answered the other phone. "Are you at your Mom and Dad's?" She asked.
"Yeah." Jack answered.
"Can you talk?" Sue asked.
"Of course."Jack answered, smiling at her thoughtfulness of calling to check on him again.
"Can you go outside?" She asked once again. Sue had paid the driver and was standing in the driveway of the Hudson home.
Jack opened the door to walk out. "Sure, hang on." As his head lifted to check his footing, he saw her standing there as he raised his eyes. A smile instantly appeared on his face. He walked to where she was standing and pulled her into a hug without thinking. She held onto him tight.
"How ya doin?" She whispered.
"Better now that you're here. What are you doing here?" he asked softly.
"I wanted to make sure you were OK. I also wanted to pay my respects in person." She explained. "But, if you'd rather me not be here..." She started.
"No!" He exclaimed, a little faster and a bit louder than he'd intended. "I'm glad you're here." He said, giving her another hug.
"Jack?" A voice came from behind them. "Jack, is everything OK, Honey?" Jack's mom asked.
Jack pulled away from Sue's embrace, taking her by the hand he led her to the house.
"Everything's fine Mom." Jack said walking into the house with Sue close behind. "Mom, Dad... this is Sue Thomas. She's a good friend, and colleague from DC."Jack said with a sweet smile looking at Sue.
"I'm sorry for your loss Mrs. Hudson." Sue said smiling at Jack's mother.
"Oh, honey, please it's Emily." She said wrapping Sue in a big hug.
Jack softly tapped Sue on the shoulder. As she backed up, Jack repeated what his mom had said, then introduced his father.
"Jack, I'm pretty sure Sue heard me when I said that." Emily said rather disturbed.
"Actually, Mrs. Hud- Emily, I didn't. I'm deaf." Sue explained. Emily looked at her oddly.
"She reads your lips Mom... before you ask." Jack explained.
She laughed and pulled her in for another hug. "OK then, I will TRY to remember to look at you when I'm speaking. Bear with me though honey, I'm old. You know what they say about old dogs and new tricks." She said, they all laughed.
"Speaking of, where's Levi?" Jack asked.
"Oh, is Levi your little boy?" Samuel asked.
"Oh, no." She answered, giggling. "He's my hearing dog. And," She began, looking back at Jack "I left him at home. He really doesn't do well on planes, so I left him with Lucy for the weekend." She explained.
"Ahh, is Lucy your roommate?" Emily asked.
Sue shook her head yes. They all sat at the table. Jack took Sue's coat and made coffee for everyone. They sat and enjoyed their beverages as they got to know Sue better. It didn't take long for Sue to feel as if she was part of the family. Jack was happy that his parents accepted her so quickly, without question, without reservation.
"Are you up for a walk?" Jack asked. Sue shook her head yes, and took her coat from Jack.
The brisk night air felt good. Sue hated to admit but she didn't like planes much more than Levi did. The cool evening air made her feel grounded, safe. They walked in silence for a little bit, until finally Sue broke their comfort.
"It's pretty around here..." She nearly whispered as she took in the sights of the little town he grew up in. There was a lake that had to have been home to frogs and toads... probably some ducks, maybe even a beaver or two she thought. She chuckled at her own thoughts.
"What are you giggling at?" Jack asked.
"Just pretending I can hear the chirping of the crickets, and the peep toads, that's all." She said.
"How did you know there are peep toads in the lake?" He asked her curiously.
"It's a lake... it's spring... there are always peep toads in a lake in the spring." She laughed.
"You've got a point." Jack chuckled. "Why did you come out?" He finally asked.
"I wanted to be here for you." She said without thinking. Her eyes popped open shocked by her own answer, and she blushed in the darkness as they walked more.
"Thanks." Jack said sincerely.
"You're one of my best friends Jack and I know how much your grandmother meant to you." Sue said.
"She does-did mean a lot to me. She baked me cookies and sang to me when I was little. We spent a lot of time together when I was little, got really close, ya know?" Jack said. His eyes began to well with tears. Sue had walked ahead, not realizing Jack had slowed. She turned back toward him and can see his eyes glisten in the low light of the old street lights. She slowly walked back toward him.
"Jack?" She said as she reached him. He turned his face away from her, trying to hide the tears. Sue reached up to his cheek, wiping his cheek. She pulled him into a tight embrace as his tears flowed. He pushed back from her arms, and wiped his eyes and nose.
"I'm sorry..." Jack began.
"No, don't be." Sue said shaking her head.
"I guess I've made myself too busy to actually face the reality of what's going on."Jack said. "Thank you."
"You don't have to thank me." She answered. "We're friends, remember.." She said smiling. He offered her his arm, she took it and leaned against his shoulder as they walked.
"This is nice." Jack said. Sue looked up at him curiously.
"Did you say something?" She asked.
"Just that this is nice." He repeated.
"Yeah... it is." She agreed. "Umm, what time are the services tomorrow?" She asked.
"Wake's at 2." He answered.
"Umm, I hate to ask, but could you pick me up? I don't have a car, and don't have a clue where I'm going..." She said, slightly embarrassed.
"Where are you staying?" He asked.
"Uh, I figure I'll find a place in town. I can let you know, later... when you take me into town to find a place?" She said again, blushing.
"Don't be silly, you can stay at my parents', there's plenty of room." Jack offered, laughing at her. "Did you really come all the way out here without a car, or a place to stay?" He asked.
"I guess it wasn't important at the time. I just wanted to be here for you." She said, snuggling closer to his shoulder.
"Thanks." He said as they walked arm and arm back to the house.
