Jackson sat alone next to the window he turned his head slowly towards the right. What he saw stunned him to his very core, chilling his senses. It was Lisa, he couldn't believe it what were the chances of them meeting again on a plane of all the ironic places. She had a child with her, the boy had hair and eyes like his own. The child made his way towards him and sat next to Jackson.
"Is that your Mummy?" Jackson asked.
"Yes it is" he smiled.
Jackson looked closely at the boy, how old was this boy? A knot tightened within his stomach. Could it be? Surely not!
"How old are you?" Jackson pressed.
"Just turned ten" Zack chirped back.
No he can't be…
"Where's your Father?"
"I don't know Mum never talks about him" the boy sighed.
Jackson starred at Zack in horror; what were the chances?
"What's your name?" Jackson asked.
"Zack Reisert" he answered sweetly.
Jackson could see he own eyes starring back at him and it was chilling.
"Why aren't you sitting with your Mum?"
"She's sitting with David and his kids" Zack sighed.
"Whose David?" Jackson asked curiously
"My Stepfather, he's a dick" he replied sourly.
"Why aren't you sitting with them?"
"Because David doesn't like me, none of my family do especially my Granddad" Zack didn't know why he was telling this to a complete stranger, but this man felt oddly familiar to him.
"I bet he don't" Jackson said under his breath.
"What did you say?" Zack asked politely.
"It's sad about your Father" Jackson lied.
"Yeah, I suppose you don't miss what you've never had" Zack replied honestly.
"So you know nothing about your Father" Jackson mused.
"No" Zack replied, why was this man so interested in him?
"Not even a name?" Jackson probed.
"Why do you want to know?" Zack asked.
"Just curious" Jackson shrugged.
"What's your name?" Zack probed.
"Jackson Rippner" Jackson smiled.
"Jack the-" he chuckled.
"Yes" the Father chuckled back.
"That wasn't very nice of your parents" he observed like his Mother.
Jackson could believe it he was a father, a father; it didn't sound right. The boy looked like him when he was younger the eyes were definitely his.
"So you going on holiday?" Jackson asked his son.
"No it's my Granddad's 70th birthday. The whole family is attending" Zack sighed miserably.
"Don't get on with your family do you" Jackson observed.
"No their all pricks especially David and Granddad, Granddad treats me like a criminal. But Mum is nice to me"
"Well that's something at least" Jackson said irritably, "Listen families are useless, be independent; you can leave them when you go off to college".
"What was your family like?" Zack asked quietly.
"Just like yours; useless. I had a cruel stepfather used to manipulate my Mother into doing harsh things" Jackson replied bitterly.
"Yeah, my Mum's like that even though she loves me-" he related.
"But she never believes you when he treats you badly" Jackson finished.
"Exactly" Zack smiled sadly.
"You'll do fine" Jackson smiled.
This child was a lot like him he had to admit and not just in appearances. David walked past their seats and got in the queue for the toilet.
"That's David" Zack pointed at who he spoke of.
Jackson turned his head to look at him. A greying man stood the queue, what did Lisa see in him? Jackson and his son (still didn't sound right) talked for the rest of the flight. He enjoyed his company and Jackson didn't even like kids. He could see elements of himself in the boy which strangely filled him with pride. Jackson also noticed bits of Lisa in him his nose was definitely Lisa's. They talked about his friends, school and other stuff. Zack mentioned how he liked to use his eyes to freak people out, he couldn't help but laugh he uses the same technique with his colleagues. When they finally landed Jackson was a little sad Zack was going.
"Good bye, nice talking" Zack smiled and left Jackson to rejoin his family.
Jackson followed him out of the plane and watched him and his family. He glared at Lisa she still looked just as he remembered her. Then he took one more glance at his son as they walked away from him. Jackson had to be positive that Zack was his son so he managed to steal a DNA sample from a plastic cup Zack had drunk out of. He knew some DNA guys who could confirm his heavy suspicions. But if this was his son then he was in danger from enemies of his Father. But before he got all worked up he had to be sure it was his son. I mean it was obvious by the way his family treated him and his looks but Jackson wanted to be certain.
…
Joe's bell rang shrilly echoing the corridors, Joe got up and answered the door. His daughter and her family stood in the doorway. He greeted them with open arms, thrilled to see his daughter this happy. Joe was rather fond of David and his children but not of the rapist's child. Those chilling eyes they shared just brought back so much resentment. Joe wanted Lisa to get rid of the baby but she insisted on having it. He knew it wasn't the boy's fault but he was like a constant reminder of the bastard that hurt his daughter.
"Hello Granddad" Zack fake smiled awkwardly at Joe.
"Umm" Joe grumbled back and then moved on to better company.
Zack couldn't see the point in bringing him along; they all hate him for some reason. The man on the plane was very understanding he had the same eyes as he did which was cool.
"Honey could you bring our suitcases up to our rooms" Lisa asked Zack sweetly.
"Yes Mum" Zack replied irritably.
"What's the matter?" she asked as David and his kids followed Joe into the living room.
"Can I ask you something?" Zack wondered.
"Sure anything" Lisa smiled.
"Why does Granddad hate me?" Zack asked.
His Mother suddenly got very awkward and looked to the ground.
"Well…umm that's a story for when your older" then she darted into the living room.
Why does he always get the feeling that their not telling him something? Zack stormed upstairs with their suitcases.
…
Mr Jameson was an ex NYPD forensic scientist, he works for the criminals now. He had an English cockney accent, was in his mid thirties with chocolate brown hair. He now lived in Miami doing very little work for a lot of money. Jackson made his way swiftly up Mr Jameson's apartment building and knocked on the polished oak door. Mr Jameson cautiously opened the door with the chain lock still attached.
"What do you want?" Mr Jameson asked in cockney drawl.
"I want a DNA test, I'm willing to pay" Jackson stated.
"How much?" he pressed.
"How's 300,000?" Jackson offered.
The Londoner thought it over but eventually nodded in agreement and let Jackson in.
"What do you need the DNA test for?" Jameson asked.
Jackson gave James his son's DNA sample and then his own.
"I want to see if their Father and son" Jackson replied coldly.
"Should be ready in five days" Jameson explained.
"Good, you'll have your money on completion. Call me when you get the results"
"Will do" Jameson promised…