Chapter Four
Jack closed his eyes and leaned gently back in his chair. He'd been back in Boston for just over a week and although the job was all he could want, he didn't yet feel entirely settled in the city. As his thoughts wandered, in the all too rare peace and quiet, Jack found himself longing to be back on the beach, soaking up the sun. A smile spread across his face as something occurred to him. If someone had told him, even six months ago, that he'd be wishing himself back in Capeside, he'd have probably laughed in their face. Now however, as he waited in the empty classroom, Jack was indeed thinking of Capeside, and it felt good. Something about that place must have changed, he just couldn't put his finger on it right now. The sound of approaching, teenage voices brought Jack swiftly back to reality. He opened his eyes quickly and watched his students as they shuffled into their seats, scrabbling noisily to retrieve books, pens and other essentials. Right now, Jack thought to himself, this was a great place to be. The beach could wait.
Doug raised his hand in the air, signalling to his brother on the opposite side of the street. He watched as Pacey dodged a path between the cars.
"Am I late?" Pacey glanced casually at his watch
Doug smiled "No more than usual- one day you'll surprise me."
Pacey laughed "Don't count on it! So what movie are we seeing and more importantly who's paying?"
"I thought I would, is that ok with you? Doug's tone was deliberately sarcastic. "I may regret this but the choice of film is yours - romantic comedy, French drama or action adventure."
Does that last option mean mindless violence and car chases?" Pacey's eyes lit up.
"I think that's highly likely Pace"
"Then that's the one for me. What about you?"
"I was considering the comedy- I fancy something light, undemanding. It would be good to laugh, don't you think?"
Pacey shot his brother a surprised look "You are kidding, I hope."
Doug managed to keep his facial expression serious "No, is that a problem?"
Pacey looked at his brother "I'm seriously hoping that you are just trying to mess with me, but in case you actually mean it, let me tell you two things. Firstly, if you insist on watching a chick flick this evening then you are on your own and secondly, have you given the slightest thought to just how much ammunition I would gain from you watching a movie like that. I'm thinking at least six months worth, maybe nine!"
Doug cracked a smile "Very good points" He pretended to think for a couple of seconds "Mindless violence it is then"
Pacey threw an arm around his brother's shoulders "Good decision Doug, you know it makes sense"
It was the end of the day at last, Jack yawned lazily as he began to gather up all his various books and papers.
"Are you on your way home"
Jack hadn't heard anyone come into the room and looked up in surprise "What are you doing here?"
Matt Freeman grinned "It's very nice to see you too Jack"
"I'm sorry, I thought you were in Chicago"
"I was, got back this morning and as I wasn't around when you arrived I thought I'd better see how things were going. Didn't want you thinking I'd abandoned you"
Jack smiled "The thought never occurred to me but thanks for coming. It's going well, I think"
"I'm pleased to hear that ,I know I dropped you in at the deep end here."
"It's been fun, I probably needed the challenge"
"Glad to help. Now have you got any plans for this evening?"
Jack was taken aback by the question and just about managed to mutter that he didn't
If Matt had noticed Jack's surprise he didn't let it show in any way "You do now. I'm taking you to dinner at this great place I know. You do eat Mexican I hope?"
Jack nodded
Great! Let's go. I'm starving." Matt began to make his way out of the classroom
Bemused Jack followed him wondering what had just happened. He'd managed to agree to go on a date without uttering a word. Just go with the flow he told himself, it was one meal, what could possibly happen.
Pacey stretched his arms wide as he emerged from the cinema into the evening darkness. "That was fun"
"It's one way to waste a coupe of hours I guess" Doug's tone was depressed
Pacey rolled his eyes "Lighten up Doug please, just for the one evening."
Doug put his hand on Pacey's shoulder "You are getting way too easy to wind up."
"Ok you got me, this time, but you must accept that you're way too serious most of the time."
"If you mean that I have a more grown-up approach to life, then I agree but just don't make assumptions about me Pacey. I'm not completely predictable"
Pacey laughed "Doug, you are as predictable and organized as anyone can be. I can set my watch by when you retrieve your mail every morning, by the way, please be gentle on that postman if he ever dares to be late!"
Doug glared at his brother "One day I'll surprise you Pacey that's a promise"
"I look forward to it" Pacey paused and looked at Doug, he had a strange look on his face "Are you ok?"
"Why do you ask?"
"I don't know you just look a bit weird"
"Thanks! I was thinking Pace, not a concept you're particularly acquainted with but I do it sometimes"
"There's no need to get defensive." Pacey smiled gently at his brother "What's on your mind"
"Are you really asking or just trying to find a way to attack me" Doug was suspicious
"That thing you said about making assumptions- it works both ways. If you want to talk then I'm here"
"I'm sorry. It's nothing major I'm just trying to adjust a few things in my life"
They'd been walking slowly as they talked and had come to a low wall. Pacey sat down. "So, what needs changing?"
Doug still standing up smiled at his brother "Everything"
"That's the quick answer, what's the truth"
"Where did you pick up the psychology." Doug was trying to be flippant but something in Pacey's face made him tell the truth "I have nothing in my life but my job and it's been that way for too long. It's not making me happy, I'm not sure if it ever has. I've been kidding myself for so long and I'm just hoping it's not too late to turn things around. I need to have more fun"
There was silence as Pacey just stared at Doug
"Have I done the impossible and rendered Pacey Witter mute"
Pacey grinned "That was quite a speech. I'm just absorbing it. What has brought this turnaround on?"
"It was something Jack said to me while he was here, got me thinking about a few things."
"That boy must be smarter than he looks."
"Have you heard from Jack since he left?" Doug hoped the question sounded casual
"Last week sometime, Thursday I think, he didn't say much except that he loves the job"
"Say hello from me next time if you remember"
"Will do. Now lets eat" Pacey got up from his seat
"I take it that I'm paying for dinner as well"
"How did you guess, I fancy Chinese"
Doug laughed "Fine with me, is there any way to get you to pay your share. Maybe I'll give Jack a call- he might know"
"You can try but it won't help, I hardly ever paid for anything in Boston"
"Even when you were earning a fortune?"
Pacey looked sheepish "What can I say, people feel an overwhelming urge to spend their money on me"
"You should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself" Doug glanced across at his brother "but I guess I know you better than that." Doug sighed wearily "Let's go find some food"
"I'll get myself together one of these days Doug, I just don't have a plan right now but I'll find one"
"I hope you do, but Pace.."
"What"
Doug grinned happily "I won't be holding my breath!"
Jack shivered momentarily as he came out of the restaurant, the temperature had dropped while they'd been eating.
"Are you cold Jack? We could find a cab"
"I'm fine, as long as we keep walking" Jack pushed his hands into his jacket pockets as they started of at a brisk pace. It was a couple of minutes before either of them spoke. Jack broke the ice "Can I ask you something?"
"Sure, anything"
"What made you think of me for the job and how did you track me down"
"I have friends in high places. I'm kidding! We have a mutual acquaintance"
Jack looked surprised "Really! Who?"
"Annie Wheeler, New York ,short dark hair, blue eyes, obsession with the Yankees..."
"...teaches history." Jack remembered her well, she'd helped him a lot in his first job after graduating. "How do you know her?"
"We went to college together, I speak to her every couple of weeks"
"Was she singing my praises?
"No" Matt grinned at the faked disappointment on Jack's face. "I'm sorry Jack! I was complaining to her about having to replace English teachers who couldn't hang on to mountains and your name came up. She had your cell phone number luckily, and the rest you know"
"I'm flattered that you took the chance on me"
"Did I mention just how desperate I was!"
"I'm serious, you had no idea what kind of teacher I was"
"Annie said you were good, I trust her judgement, and you were a good student Jack you've obviously carried that through to teaching, no thanks to me I did my best to mess up your education. Sorry about that.""
Jack had been waiting for the past to rear its head "It's all water under the bridge Matt" They stopped as they reached a corner.
"I know but I never apologised then, so I'm doing it now. I was confused about many things when we first met"
Jack smiled "And now?"
"Oh I'm still confused" Matt laughed as he spoke but his eyes were serious" It's just about different things these days"
Jack wasn't quite sure where to take the conversation next, or even if he should continue with it at all. He looked along the quiet city street "I go right here, what about you"
"Left" Matt paused for a second "but I've got some great coffee at home if you've got some time"
Jack looked at his watch "I'm not sure, it's getting late"
"My place is two minutes away. I promise to let you get home in time for plenty of beauty sleep"
"I need it!" the throwaway response gave Jack time to think "Coffee sounds great. Lead on"
They began walking again and after a short while arrived at a large house. Matt searched in his pocket for his keys "This is me"
As the front door was opened Jack peered curiously over Matt's shoulder. "Do you live alone?" this was a loaded question and Jack knew it.
Matt nodded as he turned to close the door behind them "I do now. Seemed my wife wasn't too keen on staying with me"
"Any reason?" Jack was surprised at just how much he wanted to find out about this man.
"I think it was when I told her I was gay, she didn't take it too well. Then when I said that I'd known for years, that was the final straw"
Jack smiled "I'm glad you finally found the strength to accept things. I won't say 'I told you so' that would be mean"
"You'd have every right, but thank you"
Jack acknowledged the gratitude with a quick nod "How are things now?"
"Bearable, we talk when we need to. I'll get the coffee"
Jack looked around, he was in a large but cosy room with big inviting couches "Nice place, how long have you been here" Jack raised his voice to make himself heard in the kitchen.
"About two years, ever since the divorce" Matt entered the room with a pot of steaming coffee and two large mugs.
"Bad time?"
"It wasn't much fun but it was the right thing, in fact I should have done it a lot sooner. I wasn't being fair to either of us"
"You got there in the end"
"I'm glad I did. I'm much happier now than I ever was being straight. If only I'd had the sense to listen to you back then, we might have had some fun Jack"
Jack took the coffee cup Matt passed him, thinking carefully about his response. "Maybe, but I'm not sure it would have been a good idea. A gay relationship between a student and teacher, it would never have worked out. We'd have both ended up getting hurt"
"You're right, I know you are, guess things always happen for a reason" Matt sighed and sat back in his chair. "I am glad that we've had a chance to talk about things, now that we're older and wiser"
"I'm not sure that's true but I've have had a really good time."
"You sound surprised Jack"
"I am. I'd forgotten what good company you can be. It's been a good evening"
"It's not over yet." Matt's eyes twinkled mischievously as he looked intently at Jack. "More coffee?"
Jack's next words escaped from his mouth without a thought of their consequences "Is that all you're offering?"
"That's up to you. All I'll say is that I'm as attracted to you as much as I ever was, maybe more, but there's no pressure, whatever you want is fine by me."
Jack was stunned, his head was filled with too many thoughts, wrapping themselves around each other. He spoke quietly "Pour me some more coffee I'm not ready to go yet"
Jack watched as Matt filled the mug he held out. He didn't know where or when this night would end but one thing was certain, he felt alive and that felt good.
