Chapter 6
By: MysticFantasy
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"You hungry?"
Angel was a bit surprised when Jack shyly, but nervously, nodded.
"Come on." the older boy said heading into the kitchen. Jack slowly followed him but stopped in the doorway. He watched Angel take something out of the fridge, place a small portion of it on a plate and then placed it in the microwave to warm up. He put a glass of water on the table just as the microwave stopped.
"Here." Angel said placing the plate and a fork on the table before leaving the kitchen and heading back into the living room.
Jack remained silent as Angel left before he climbed onto the chair.
Angel sat on the couch and turned the tv on. A movie about the middle ages was on and thought it was good enough to let a few minutes go by. It wasn't too before Angel noticed Jack peeking around the corner.
"All done?" Angel asked.
Jack nodded.
"Want to watch this movie with me?"
Jack nodded.
"Come on then."
The young boy walked over and climbed onto the end of the couch. He sat in utter silence as he watched the movie.
Angel couldn't help but feel restless. He was use to having his two older brothers home and making a lot of racket with their mother constantly telling them to keep the noise down. But since it was just him and Jack the house was too quiet for his liking.
Ring...Ring...
"Stay here." Angel said getting up and heading into the kitchen to answer the phone. He answered it before the third ring ended. "Hello?"
"Hey man. What's goin' on?"
"Hey Mike. Not much. Just stuck at home with the new kid." Angel answered.
"Oh yeah. I heard you got a new kid brother. How's that working out?"
"Bobby and Jerry like it but I don't see what the big deal is."
"I feel ya man. My spoiled brat sister drives me up the wall. But I'm sure this kid ain't as bad."
"Not totally sure. Haven't spent much time with him."
"Your family home?"
"No. They all took off but I can't let anyone over and I can't go anywhere. I'm on thin ice with my Ma." Angel answered.
"Dang. But I guess just as well. There's a rain storm headin' this way. Suppose to be a big one."
"Thanks for the heads up man. If it doesn't hit by the time my Ma comes back maybe I can sneak out of the house and we can head somewhere." Angel suggested.
"Sounds like a plan. Just let me know if it can happen alright?"
"Alright man. Later."
Angel placed the phone back on the cradle before heading back to the living room. He right away noticed that Jack looked a little tired and saw that it was almost nine thirty.
"You tired?" he asked.
Jack nodded.
"Then go on up to bed. Get in your pajamas and get to bed." Angel instructed.
The eight year old slid off the sofa and went upstairs where he vanished from Angel's sight. The second the younger boy was out of sight, Angel sighed when the phone rang again. He went back into the kitchen and answered it.
"Hello?"
"Hey little brother. You behavin'?"
"What do you want Bobby?"
"Some hello. Just calling to let you know that we're heading home already. Thunderstorm is heading in. Ma said to stay put and keep an eye on Jack. He doesn't like storms."
Angel mentally sighed. So much for his plans for taking off.
"Where's Jack right now anyway?"
"He's already gone to bed." Angel answered.
"Make sure you check on him. He doesn't like thunder or lightning. Stay with him until we get back."
"Fine." Angel said.
"Alright. We'll be home in a few minutes."
"Alright." Angel said before ending the call. He sighed heading to the stairs as lightning flashed through the windows. He reached the second floor and went to Jack's room. He right away spotted a small form on the bed but completely covered by the comforter as if he was hiding from something.
"Jack? You alright?"
Angel heard a small noise but couldn't tell if Jack was saying if he was alright or not.
A low thunder clap gave Angel the answer he needed when he saw Jack's small form flinch under the covers.
Deciding to spare himself a headache that would surely come later, Angel went to his room, gathered a few things and went back to Jack's room.
"Here Jack. These'll help." Angel said.
Jack's frightened eyes peeked out from under the blanket to see Angel lighting a candle and then hand him a CD player.
"Just play music so you won't hear the thunder. This nightlight will keep your room lit. Alright?" Angel said placing the headphones on the young boy.
Jack nodded and the music started. He watched Angel leave and shut the door before ducking back under his covers.
He didn't see how the music would help but noticed that he wasn't able to hear anything else but the beat that was flowing into his ears.
The rythm of the drums, the sweet hypnotizing melody of the guitar...
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Angel looked up when the door opened. His two older brothers and mother walked in looking slightly soaked.
"Just started raining. We got the light part of it." Jerry said removing his jacket. "It's gonna be a nasty one."
"How did things go tonight Angel?" Evelyn asked hanging her coat.
"Good." Angel answered.
"Are you sure?" the older woman asked. "Where's Jack?"
"He went to sleep half an hour ago." Angel answered.
"Really?" Bobby asked almost doubtfully. "With a storm going on?"
"Yes."
"I'll go check on him." Bobby said looking at Evelyn and then went upstairs.
Bobby reached the second floor and noticed the closed door that lead to Jack's room. He quietly opened the door and looked in to see Jack's small form lying soundly in the bed with headphones on his ears.
The oldest brother could hear a faint beat coming from the headphones and also noticed a nightlight in the outlet closest to the bed.
Closing the door, Bobby went back downstairs where he spotted Evelyn still asking Angel questiong about how the night went.
"Is he asleep?" Jerry asked getting everyones attention.
"Yeah. Sound asleep as if the storm wasn't even going on." Bobby answered.
"Really?" Evelyn asked sounding a bit surprised.
"Yep." Bobby answered. "Seems like Angel gave Jackie some tips. Gave him some music to fall asleep to and put a nightlight in the room."
"Well, I'm impressed Angel." Evelyn said with a smie.
"Does this mean I'm not grounded anymore?" Angel dared to ask.
"Yes. You're still grounded but I'll take a day off. When Jack wakes up I'll ask him how you were to him and the rest of your judgement depends on what he says."
"You're screwed." Bobby teased.
"That's enough Bobby. Don't get yourself into the same situation." Evelyn warned.
"Yes ma'am."
"Alright. Now all of you go get ready for bed."
The three brothers quickly did as their mother ordered. While they got ready for bed, Evelyn quietly snuck into Jack's room and saw that Bobby's report had been right.
The nightlight was masking the flashes of lightning well and the music from the headphones were drowning out any evidence of thunder.
It seemed that Angel had finally achieved his goal of trying to do better with Jack. Even if it was just a small step in the right direction.
He still had a long way to go to be on the same level as the two older brothers.