A/N: Once again I'd like to thank all of you who reviewed this story, I am truly sorry that I cannot respond to each of you individually, but my time is very limited. I'd also like you all to know that I value constructive criticism just as much (if not more) then positive reviews. This chapter is once again short (sorry) so please bear with me.
Also, I am sorry for the confusion about what happened to Jack, it will all be explained in the next chapter. I was more vague than I should have been in the first chapter, and it wasn't clear to some readers what had happened.
Obligatory Disclaimer: Not mine.
Aberration, Chapter 3...
Jerry pulled away from the curb, pretending he couldn't feel the rising tensions in the car and ignoring the sick feeling that was worming it's way into his gut. Stealing a quick glance at Bobby he hoped that his brother would be able to let it slide for today, that just this once he would keep his anger to himself until they were all in a better state of mind to deal with it. But as soon as Bobby opened his mouth, Jerry knew he had asked for too much.
"Where the hell was he?" the words fell from Bobby's lips like venom. Jerry clenched his jaw, the muscles visibly tightening as he weighed his options, trying to decide whether he would defend his little brother's actions against Bobby, or whether he would join the fray, letting the absence of their younger brother anger him enough to mask the pain of losing Ma. Taking a deep breath he settled for neutral ground.
"I don't know." He replied, voice even. And that was the truth, he had talked to Aaron the night before, had even booked red-eye tickets so that Jack would be there in time for the funeral even if he didn't come to the house before hand, a move for which Jerry couldn't blame him, not after what had happened.
"I thought you said he would be here."
"I did…I thought he would be."
"Little prick." Bobby's voice was low, menacing. "After everything Ma did for him, he should have been there today dammit! He needs to quit this damn whining and get his ass straightened out."
Jerry audibly scoffed at the response and turned towards Bobby, angered at his brother's lack of compassion.
"You're kidding right? After the shit you pulled with him, did you really expect him to come running back here to greet you with open arms?"
"Guys…" Angel spoke for the first time since they had left the cemetery, tired of the bickering just minutes after they had buried the woman who had dedicated her life to them. "Can't you both just shut the hell up and let this alone. Do you think Ma would want you guys fighting like this today?"
Silence descended on the car, both Jerry and Bobby sobered by the mention of their mother, embarrassed at their childish behavior that Ma would have put a stop to with a few fierce words. Bobby turned back towards the window, mulling over Jerry's words. He had, in fact, expected Jack to come crawling back home, asking for a truce after their last round. The way he saw it he had done nothing wrong, he had merely voiced his opinion and called it as he saw it, and last time he'd checked that hadn't been a crime. But it'd been months now, eight to be exact, since he had seen or talked to Jack, though he'd been given updates from Ma, Jerry and Angel on occasion. He knew that Jack was in New York now, still making a racket on that guitar he was so attached to, and from what he'd gathered the little shit was making quite the name for himself up there.
Bobby climbed out of the car as Jerry dropped them off at the house before heading home. Angel didn't even head toward the house, he'd be headed back to base in less than I week and Bobby figured he would be headed straight to Sophi's house to relieve some of his frustrations before he left again. Bobby didn't have plans to stay at the house either, staying here without Ma was just…weird. Climbing the stairs to his old bedroom he reflected on the last time he'd been home, Ma had made him a nice supper and spent the meal trying to persuade him to give Jack a call, to apologize for his actions. But he hadn't, maintaining that he had done nothing wrong and that the ball was in Jack's court now, he wasn't budging. Stripping out of the stuffy suit and pulling on a pair of jeans and a turtleneck, Bobby flicked off the light and headed back out the door, stopping only to grab some cash from Ma's hidden stash, knowing he would need most of it to reach the level of drunkenness that he had planned.
A/N: Thanks for reading! Next chapter should be up by this weekend :)
