Left Alone Chapter 2
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Not mine ~ they just use my head for a playground sometimes.
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Jordan. . .
Dad was great. He didn't push me to say anything before I was ready. He's good. Of course he has lived with me practically my whole life and he has been with me through some really tough times. I never really cried, but I was close a few times. Finally I decided I was ready to talk, so I pulled back from his hug and moved to my favorite table in the corner holding tight to Dad's hand.
"So, sweetheart. What's up?"
"I'm not really sure. I mean, I. . . Dad, Woody's in Wisconsin right now."
"He's what?"
"There was this problem with. . ."
"Oh Jeeze, Jordan."
"No, no. Not that kind of problem. I mean we were having dinner together and there was this major altercation going on in the alley, so he went to try and break it up. The guy involved ran off, but he was trying to take the woman, Jolene, in for questioning because it appeared to be a domestic disturbance."
"Ok."
"But she was really pumped up on something and she beat him up pretty badly. She hit him in the face with a trash can. She was going to hit him with a shovel when I kicked the alley door from the restaurant's back room and knocked her out."
"Well, that's good at least. I think. Was she. . ."
"She's got a concussion and is in custody. She's the one who was beating up her live-in."
"Oh my. How's Woody?"
"He's ok. His head got cut and they had to close it with a couple of butterfly bandages. They put him on the D.L. for two weeks, and he went hunting with his brother in Wisconsin."
"Well, it's something to do. But there's something you're still not telling me."
"I know. Dad, I miss him. I didn't realize how much he really means to me until he wasn't there when I called him. I just. . . I mean, yeah, I'm fine on my own. But I really like having him to talk with and hang out with. I haven't had that for a long time."
"Jordan, it's for two weeks, right?"
"Right."
"And do you have any reason to think he won't come back?"
"No ~ I mean he's not given me any. And he did say that he'd miss me."
"Really? He. . ."
"I asked him."
"I'm. . ."
"Surprised? I was too a little. I've never said that to anyone before. I don't. . . I don't like to seem too. . .dependent I guess."
"It's understandable given everything you've been through. But he said he'd miss you, right?"
"Yeah."
"But you're still worried that he won't come back?"
"Yeah,"
"And you're listening intently to 'I Don't Know How To Love Him' all of a sudden?"
"Um. . ."
"Jordan, it's ok to let yourself feel."
"But every time I've let myself fall in love I've gotten hurt. And I know you don't like to talk about it, but Mom didn't exactly help in that area."
"Jordan, I wish there was some way I could help you through all that. But I know that it's just going to take some time. And maybe someone like Woody."
"Maybe you're right. It's just. . . I'm just going to say it. What I'm feeling scares the shit out of me."
"Jordan, I'm not going to get overly anything, but love, like life is scary and messy. And worth every bit of grief and pain it might put you through. Even all the pain when your mother was killed. I wouldn't trade what I had with her for anything. Baby, take this chance. Let your heart feel something. Don't close yourself off."
"I'll try, Dad. I'll try."
"Good girl. Now, I need to get ready to open. Feel like playing bar wench?"
"I think I'll take a rain-check on that if it's ok. I just want to go and think things through. And maybe Woody's got his cell on and I can talk to him a little."
"Alright. I'll see you later sweetheart."
He gave me a big hug and sent me on my way. Woody didn't have his cell on ~ or he wasn't answering it. Well, maybe tomorrow. . .
About a week later. . .
That was bizarre. Woody just called ~ from an airport bathroom in Los Angeles no less ~ to see if I could give him a connection. Sounded like he might need some serious help, so I gave him Hector's name and number. Hopefully he's over stuff by now.
Yeah, people think I'm a workaholic. I don't jump on a case while I'm on vacation. Well, I haven't yet. Last summer wasn't a vacation, it was a suspension. There's a big difference.
But Los Angeles? What is he doing out there and when. . .?
"Nigel!" I tore down the hall to his office.
"Yes my love? What can I do for you?"
"Don't a lot of rental cars have lojack now?"
"Depends. In some places they all do. Usually larger cities. I'm not sure if Kewaunee would because it's only recently become standard around here. Seems to be hitting larger cities and tourist areas. Where exactly are we talking?"
"Los Angeles."
"Los Angeles?"
"Yeah, um, Woody's on some case out there. Don't ask. But I'm a little. . .worried about him."
"Really? Is he in trouble?"
"I'm not sure. He didn't say much, but apparently something happened in Wisconsin and he followed the case out to LA. And there's only one police division out there that I know of that would be dealing with inter-state cases, and if he's in with the Sunset Division he's in trouble."
"Sunset Division? You're kidding me, right?"
"No. Think 'Miami Vice' meets 'The Matrix' and you've got a little of the idea."
"Oh my."
"So, can we do anything to find. . ."
"Oh Woodrow. A Metro? What were you thinking?"
"Huh?"
"Here's the info sweetheart. What are you going to do with. . ."
"Jordan? You got a minute?" Dad was in the doorway.
"Yeah. What's up?"
"I just wanted to give you something." He held out an envelope and waited for me to take it. I reached over and took it from his hand. I turned it over and opened the flap.
"Dad! What. . .?"
"It's a round-trip ticket to LA. The return trip can be changed ~ I made sure just in case. . . Jordan, you need to talk with him. You've been moping around ever since he left, and I know you're worried about him. Sweetheart, go to LA and talk to him."
"But I can't just go to LA. I mean, I've got a job here and. . ."
"It's ok, Jordan. I made Max promise that was a round trip ticket." Garret poked his head in the door. "And you have been moping around here. Just promise me you'll be back within a week?"
"Oh I could just. . . Hell, forget it. Come here, all of you." I pulled them all into a hug. "But how will I know where he is when I get there. I mean we know now, but. . ."
"Now don't you fret, Jordan. I'll keep tabs on the lad and let you know where he is when you get there. Just turn your cell phone on when you get off the plane."
"Alright. Thanks Nige."
"Well, sweetheart, if you're going to get out there and talk to him, I need to get you to Logan."
"Alright. I just need to go to my place and. . ."
"I have a bag for you in the car. I. . .well, I went by your place and put some stuff in a bag."
"Ok. Well, let's go. Bye Garret. Bye Nige. I'll see you in a few days."
"You'd better. You're not the only one who's got connections in LA."
"Ok. See you later. Dad, what are you waiting for? Let's go!"
Later that day on Venice Pier. . .
So I got out here and Nige located him at the Venice Pier. I called him and talked to him on the phone as I walked towards him. He sounded happy to see me. And when he saw me and I got to where he was standing, he grabbed me so hard I almost choked and spun me around and kissed my cheek at least six times. So I didn't exactly tell him everything ~ but I did tell him I was afraid he wasn't coming back. He said his flight left in three hours and there was no way he wasn't coming back.
Then I sort of freaked and told him there was a John Doe that I just knew wasn't a suicide. I think he knew I was kidding. Maybe.
We didn't have long, but we did walk down to the end of the pier, my arm around his waist, his arm around my shoulder. I wasn't sure where this was heading, and for once I wasn't overly concerned. I got the feeling that no matter what happened, we'd be able to remain friends.
We got to the airport and managed to get my ticket changed onto his flight and get our seats together. It was a red-eye after I'd flown out that morning, but still. Woody and I were together and that was all that mattered. We talked about everything and nothing until our row was called. We got settled into our seats, and as the plane began its taxi to take off, I reached over and took Woody's hand in mine. Trust me ~ that's a BIG step for me. He looked at me and smiled as he squeezed my hand. I guess he decided it was worth a chance and he leaned over and gave me a quick, gentle kiss on the lips. As he pulled back, he just looked at me for a minute.
"What?"
"I just want to remember this, is all."
"Remember what?"
"Everything about this moment. Jordan, thanks for. . .for coming out to get me. And for. . ."
"Thank Dad for the plane ticket."
"No, I mean more than that. For being worried about me."
"Oh, that. Well. . . Woody, I don't know where this is going between us. If it's going to be more than friends or what. But I know that you mean a lot to me. And things just didn't feel right when you weren't here."
"Thanks Jordan."
"You're welcome."
"There's just one thing. . ."
"What's that?"
"Remind me to stay away from chili-cheeseburgers."
"What?"
"Never mind. I'll tell you about it sometime."
And with that he settled in and fell asleep. As for me, I just stared out the window, lost in my own thoughts. Were we ever going to be more than friends? Would it be enough if we weren't? Finally I decided for once in my life to not worry about the future. I was sitting on the plane, flying back to Boston with my best friend. Did I love him? Yeah, I did. What kind of love? Well, for now I was content to let it be what it was ~ deep, strong, growing friendship. I decided that maybe letting someone into my life wasn't such a bad thing. And Woody seemed content and willing to be that person. And it felt good to have him in my life.
Looking at everything, I realized I had a lot. I had a father who loved me. Co-workers who care about me. And a guy who has shown that he'll do anything for me ~ just because. Maybe love wasn't so bad. I guess I was pretty lucky with all that I had in my life. Love, family, friends. And that's all that really mattered.
