Chapter 11

Bobby awoke early next morning. He had found it extremely difficult to sleep, and not just because he had resorted to sleeping on the floor.

He spent the night thinking of ways he could help Jack. The kid was nervous, quiet, and the most unpredictable person Bobby had ever met.

He had not come across a solution to his problems and so came to the conclusion that he would need Evelyn's help. Bobby knew from experience that she was a gift with problem kids.

He checked the clock on his pale blue wall. 6:50am.

Bobby yawned and decided to go and see if Evelyn was awake yet. Mornings were the best time for them to have private conversations.

He stood up from the floor and stretched his arms high into the air. His jaw ached from the collision the night before. His eye didn't feel particularly healthy today either.

A new instinct in his mind told him to check on Jack and make sure he was still in bed. You just never knew with this kid.

Jack was still fast asleep, snoring slightly. Though he did not look peaceful, Bobby was still pleased that Jack was finally sleeping at all.

Bobby crept from the room and down to the kitchen. Evelyn was not there.

He decided to make himself something to eat anyway. Or maybe he'd just have a beer.

He came to the conclusion that why have one, when he could easily have both?

So there he was, cheese toasty in one hand, beer in the other, watching TV.

He heard footsteps coming down the stairs. He looked up and saw Evelyn.

First, she smiled at him. Her gaze turned towards the almost empty beer bottle in his hand and his black and blue eye, and her smile transformed into a stern frown.

"Bobby, it's 7 o'clock in the morning!" She exclaimed. "What are you doing? Look at your eye!"

"I'm waiting for you Ma." He did not sound put off by her anger. Many times Evelyn had been angry at him. "I need your help."

Evelyn continued to glare at him. Her gaze turned into a thoughtful one.

"It's Jack isn't it?"

"How did you guess?" he asked sarcastically.

Evelyn eyed him in annoyance and Bobby knew he was pushing his luck.

"Uh…look, come and sit down." He patted the empty sofa cushion beside him hastily.

She looked warily at the beer Bobby was holding but sat down anyway.

"Listen Bobby, I've told you, Jack needs time to adjust. He has only been here for 3 days and although it may feel like longer, that's reality. Even you took almost a year before you were settled in properly."

Bobby considered this for a moment. 3 days? Was that all? It had felt like so much more, Jack was part of the family now.

"I think maybe next time you go shopping you should buy some chocolate or something." He said.

Evelyn looked confused.

"I found Jack in the kitchen last night looking for those Smarties, he was pretty pissed off. He told me he has this nightmare, and to make himself feel better he eats chocolate and stuff. Weird I know, but the kid was literally in tears when he couldn't find anything last night."

Evelyn did not look shocked. Instead she nodded.

How stupid of me. I didn't think about why Jack had taken what he had.

She sighed.

"Bobby, today would you take Jack shopping with you? I'll leave my credit card and you can get what we need. I would go myself but I'm working late again tonight, the shops will be closed by the time I reach them. I'll write a list."

"Ok Ma, it will give me somethin' to do."

"If you're so bored why don't you get yourself a job?"

Bobby snorted and laughed.

"Nice one Ma."

Evelyn sighed and shook her head.


Jack tried to ignore the sunlight which was reflecting off the snow shining through his window. He longed for this dream to continue, the first good dream he had had in ages.

He was disappointed as he found himself lying awake in bed. Just my luck.

He turned to where Bobby had been sleeping but saw only an empty duvet.

He yawned and slid out of bed. There was no point in being there now.

He reached towards the handle of the bedroom door, but paused as he heard a commotion in the hall.

"…No I won't tell Ma! But you know fine well she'll already know! You know what she's like!"

"Jerry if you'd just keep your big ass nose out of my business…"

"No Angel! You're killing yourself! Is that what you want? We don't have the money for you to do this!"

"What's going on up here?" A third voice asked. "Money for what? Killing who?"

"Ask Angel Bobby." Came Jerry's voice. Footsteps told Jack that Jerry had stormed away.

"Well Angel?" Asked Bobby.

"It's none of your business!" More footsteps. Angel stormed away.

"Yeah well I'll make it my business!" Bobby shouted after him.

I'll get him later.

He opened Jack's door, expecting to find him in bed, but instead found him standing in the middle of the room looking at the door.

"Morning sunshine. You want some breakfast?" Bobby scooped up his duvet.

"Uh…No thanks" Said Jack.

"Fine. Go get a shower before someone else gets in." Bobby was in no mood to play this game, he knew Jack would be hungry, he would have to learn to accept his offerings of food.

Jack went without a word.

Bobby realized the kid still didn't have any clothes which fitted him. He decided he would take him clothes shopping today. After all, Ma had given him her credit card.